I'm offering supergourds for the first time this year in my 5 year old colony. I have 6 fairly regular adults now, but none of them have chosen a gourd. On the first day I put them up, there was some interest in the gourds, but since then, they don't seem the least bit interested. Is it possible that because they've only used aluminum houses in the past that they won't even use the gourds? I had hopes of eventually changing over to mostly or all gourds but now I'm not sure. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Patrick
Passing by the gourds...
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roblrich
Site & cavity fidelity are very strong with martins, so the PM's you have returned so far were there last season, and they will probably choose the same cavity they used last season. But when the subadults move in, I bet all your gourds are taken. Good luck!
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John Atteberry
Hello Patrick,
Yes, if the martins are used to nesting in housing compartments and being raised as babies there too, I believe they will choose the housing or the gourds they were raised in or nested in! I will always keep some housing and gourds around because if another martin showed up that lost his nest somewhere else will check the same house or gourd out at your site! Hope this helps, John!
Yes, if the martins are used to nesting in housing compartments and being raised as babies there too, I believe they will choose the housing or the gourds they were raised in or nested in! I will always keep some housing and gourds around because if another martin showed up that lost his nest somewhere else will check the same house or gourd out at your site! Hope this helps, John!