i had to make a homemade gourd rack today . it stands about 10 to 12 feet tall . i was wondering was it high enough in the air to attract martins.
appreciate any input,
jeff from little chicago, sc
gourd rack
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Greg
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 3:15 pm
- Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC
- Martin Colony History: As a child I managed a purple martin colony consisting of 3 houses on a tidal tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. I started my own colony at my house in Holly Springs, NC as an adult that grew to 27 pairs one year. In 2016 I moved and started a new colony in the spring of 2017 at my new home, which is about 7 miles south of my old colony. I successfully attracted my first ASY male in April of 2017. He quickly attracted a mate, followed by 7 more pairs. Grateful to have been able to start a new colony so quickly!
Should be tall enough. Whether its 10, 12, 15, or 20 feet, I haven't found that martins are as particular about the height as they are about other factors such as making sure that:
*No tall trees are within at least 40 feet (I say 40 because I see you are in SC and martins are slightly more forgiving here in the south). More than 60 is even better.
*Birds have an open flyway on multiple sides of the housing for a great distance.
*No shrubs or bushes are around the base of the pole.
*Large gourds (10-12 inches in diameter) and painted white.
I have martins nesting in natural gourds which have entrances holes right at 11 ft. off the ground.
Good luck!
*No tall trees are within at least 40 feet (I say 40 because I see you are in SC and martins are slightly more forgiving here in the south). More than 60 is even better.
*Birds have an open flyway on multiple sides of the housing for a great distance.
*No shrubs or bushes are around the base of the pole.
*Large gourds (10-12 inches in diameter) and painted white.
I have martins nesting in natural gourds which have entrances holes right at 11 ft. off the ground.
Good luck!
Greg H.
Holly Springs, NC
2011 - 2 pairs, 7 eggs, 7 hatch, 7 fledge
2012 - 13 pairs, 63 eggs, 52 hatched, 50 fledged
2013 - 21 pairs
2014 - 25 pairs
2015 - 27 pairs
2016 - 23 pairs removed 4 gourds this year.
2017 - moved and started a new colony which attracted 8 Pairs
2018 - first arrivals have come back....anticipating!
Holly Springs, NC
2011 - 2 pairs, 7 eggs, 7 hatch, 7 fledge
2012 - 13 pairs, 63 eggs, 52 hatched, 50 fledged
2013 - 21 pairs
2014 - 25 pairs
2015 - 27 pairs
2016 - 23 pairs removed 4 gourds this year.
2017 - moved and started a new colony which attracted 8 Pairs
2018 - first arrivals have come back....anticipating!