Modified S&K 20 Unit House and Big Bo Gourds

[Guest]

Well, I completed my modifications after watch the forum last year, my first year, and joining this year in January. After some good suggestions and comments from some of you, I have finished my modifications and am ready for Martins again.

Last year I fledged 3 young from one adult pair, with another first year pair laying four eggs but never able to keep them in one place. So, this year with the addition of 3 Big Bo Gourds and modifications to the house, we will see what happens.

I enlarged six of the compartments in the S&K house and closed off the top two under the roof which are difficult to access and is were the first year birds had trouble with their eggs last year. I left 3 in the center open at their original size as I did not want to compromise the structure by cutting through it in the middle. A lone male occupied the other half of the top. My adult pair raised their young in unit #2. I added porches on six of the units, as I noticed the Martins were really accessing the gourds with the crescent with ease. I also noticed yesterday a male kept checking out unit 7 which is the original size with no porch.

Since the front of some of the compartments are now the back of the enlarged compartments, I added small sections of 3/4" pvc around the vent holes to keep out water. I also put weatherstripping around the doors on the back. I spray painted the insides of the compartments with dark green Rust-o-leum textured paint for plastic, which is also what I did with the gourds. I added two aluminum support channels below the S&K for added strength in the wind, as the house came down at the first of last year. I now can access the nest inserts I built for the enlarged compartments from the doors that have been closed off.

As you can see in the photos, I also added the porches with the perches across the front on the gourds, and added vent holes at the top. I drilled five 3/16" holes and put plastic rings (for plumbing connections just below the hanging rod holes. I then put a plastic cap from Home Depot which I cut a hole in and slipped it over the top and then put Lexel around the top of the ring. This should keep out the water and allow some venting of hot air this spring and summer. I also drilled 8 additional holes in the bottom of each gourd. I cut out a circle from rubber drawer liner material which is already well perforated, for non-skid bottoms in the gourds and put pine straw and a few leaves on top which seems to work rather well.

I had two pair beginning to nest in the gourds before the bad weather set in recently. I have not seen the pair I accidently flushed after 3 days one of the gourds, and the male of the other pair is the only one in that pair to return. The lasts two nights I've noticed an increase in the number of birds in our neighborhood (suburbs), and have two adult males spending nights in the gourds and one in the house. Seems to be a lack of females right now in the area.

Anyway, this is just one mans attempts to try to lure the Martins and give them some good housing. Time will tell how this pays off. If successful, I can always add more gourds next year.

Bud
North Plano, Texas

[Guest]

For some reason my photos did not attach, so will have to ask for help. I successfully attached a photo several weeks ago, but for some reason I could not add the 4 photos this time. I read the instructions too. Help!

[zoefluf]

I hope you figure out how to post the photos. I am interested in seeing your set up. I would like to add porches to my gourds too. Did you buy the porches or did you make them?

[Guest]

Probably you have reached your space quota(tiny message to that effect when attaching pictures) and will have to delete some of your previous photos.

[Guest]

I bought the porches from S&K. Will try to add pictures in another post, or try to delete previous pics on previous post, which I'm not sure if you can do.

Bud

[Guest]

I think my file sizes were to large, so here goes another try with pictures of my modifications with smaller files.

[Dave]

Very nice job, Bud. I really like the way the Big Bo's look.

[Guest]

As you can see in the photos, I also added the porches with the perches across the front on the gourds, and added vent holes at the top. I drilled five 3/16" holes and put plastic rings (for plumbing connections just below the hanging rod holes. I then put a plastic cap from Home Depot which I cut a hole in and slipped it over the top and then put Lexel around the top of the ring. This should keep out the water and allow some venting of hot air this spring and summer.

I just love your idea of the vent holes and cap to prevent water from entering!!!

What kind of cap did you use? Sure appreciate more detail on the cap and what size hole you used.

[Guest]

HogWild, I'll photograph the plastic "cap", which is actually a plumbing pipe plug, and the ring tomorrow to show you the pieces I used for the "rain" shield over the holes. I'll explain it better with the photo of the plastic pieces I used.

Bud

[Guest]

Thanks Dave for your comment. Also, greatly appreciate you asking for suggestions on the "perfect gourd" from all the experienced landlords. Mine is limited so just watching, listening and learning right now.

Bud

[Guest]

HogWild,

You asked for more detail on my "cap" over the vent holes at the top of the Big Bo Gourd. I used a 2" plastic knock out plug and a plastic washer for connecting an undersink drain which has a 1 1/2" inside diameter. It fits down over the top of the gourd. I marked a circle on the top of the knock out plug with the washer and then cut it out with a pointed Dremel cutting tool. The plug then fits over the top of the gourd and rests on the plastic washer. I drilled 3/16 inch holes just below the ring, but the holes could be bigger if you wanted them say 1/4 inch. I may enlarge my holes a bit. I used Lexel around the top of the plug which sealed it to the gourd and the plastic washer below as the hole in the plug was slightly bigger than the washer.

Bud