Question who stays where
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Littlebit45
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2009 3:30 pm
- Location: Newman, Ky
[b I hope this is not a dumb question: Do the pairs stay in the same hole(rooms) same gourd together. The reason why I ask is last year I got my first pair after 4 years and they each took a gourd a piece they did the same thing this year. I had two pair of subs come in and it seems they are also looking at two holes (rooms)a piece is this normal.[/b]
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
- Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
- Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.
My pair last year took 2 gourds and built 2 nests. The male stayed in a separate gourd.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.