Another landlord with another SREH scenario

[Kenneth Hicks]

I posted previously on another thread that I have a LS gourd rack with 4 Natureline gourds, 4 Big Bo gourds and 4 Troyers.There are 8-10 martins roosting in these gourds. All of these currently have the round openings but there is one troyer that a pair of starlings are constantly in and I constantly tear out their pine needles.

I have ordered modified entrances for the troyers and have on hand modified entrances for the vertical gourds. My question is should I switch all the openings on all the gourds or just the troyers? I was thinking of switching only the troyers and see how the starlings react. If they leave, then I would not change the verticals. If they go to the verticals, then switch them.

Also, is it best to switch openings early in the morning to give them a day to begin adjusting?

As always I value and appreciate each one's input.

Kenneth

[1 Ron Vasser]

Kenneth, why take a chance on getting some martins or babies killed later when you can prevent the starlings from entering now. I'd change to all SREH and the martins can use them just fine.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Kenneth, I would switch them out now. There is no reason not to switch, as every landlord that has switched has reported that the martins learn to use them if you leave the SREH on the housing. So if they learn, there really is no advantage to the round holes

[Peggy Riley]

Hi Kenneth. I would change them all and if the starlings continue to get in just raise your porch up a little. Once they get established they will move from gourd to gourd if you don't change them all. Peggy

[klcretired]

Kenneth ,
all good advice posted , definitely convert now and save yourself a heartache later, the PM's may act like they can't negotiate the new entrances but take my word they can...the main reason i know this is quite a few year's ago i had all round hole entrances on all of my houseing and lost my whole colony and had to start over, i have only one round hole SG and it's to attract only, all the rest of my Houseing & gourds are sreh's. The Martins that come to my location have not had any problems going in and out of the sreh's and since installing the sreh's i haven't had any more Starlings to kill babies and destroy nests and eggs and adults.You may worry at the beginning but at the end of the martin season you'll be glad you made the change and that's a comfort to know.