Can I put pine-needles in the gourds for tree swallows or do they like to make their own nest
Thanks Don
tree swallows question
Don, assuming you mean the RIGHT KIND of "pine needles," it is the right thing to do!
In these here "country" parts we call it "PINE STRAW" and must consist of the long needles of the soft WHITE PINE. These needles are at least 5 or 6 inches long and they are relatively "soft" and pliable. Such "pine straw" is easily gathered by the handfuls from beneath white pine trees any time of year... and will not "stick you" when you squeeze a handful of it.
The TS will appreciate having this in their gourd... right up to within an inch of the entrance.
The wrong kind of pine needles are a BIG MISTAKE... which I've heard some folks realize too late. The birds do NOT like the short little "prickly" needles such as spruce or fir or other species of pine.
As for "making their own nests" ...You can count on the TS to "take over" after you prime the nest with Pine straw. The hallmark of a TS nest is the gorgeous array of feathers with which they line the nest bowl. They might also bring in some straw or other material to "augment" your pine straw... but invariably they will begin with the feathering... and that is when you can be sure they plan to have babies in that gourd.
Dan
In these here "country" parts we call it "PINE STRAW" and must consist of the long needles of the soft WHITE PINE. These needles are at least 5 or 6 inches long and they are relatively "soft" and pliable. Such "pine straw" is easily gathered by the handfuls from beneath white pine trees any time of year... and will not "stick you" when you squeeze a handful of it.
The TS will appreciate having this in their gourd... right up to within an inch of the entrance.
The wrong kind of pine needles are a BIG MISTAKE... which I've heard some folks realize too late. The birds do NOT like the short little "prickly" needles such as spruce or fir or other species of pine.
As for "making their own nests" ...You can count on the TS to "take over" after you prime the nest with Pine straw. The hallmark of a TS nest is the gorgeous array of feathers with which they line the nest bowl. They might also bring in some straw or other material to "augment" your pine straw... but invariably they will begin with the feathering... and that is when you can be sure they plan to have babies in that gourd.
Dan
Hi,
I had Tree Swallows nest last year in my BB house and they needed no help in building a nest. I also manage a BB trail and we have plenty of TS nesting in the boxes without any help. That is not to say that they may not appreciate the help. I know that Martins sometimes like a pre-made nest.
I have a TS nest somewhat close to my Martin housing and I notice that the TS will often fly around with the Martins. Has anyone else had this experience??
I had Tree Swallows nest last year in my BB house and they needed no help in building a nest. I also manage a BB trail and we have plenty of TS nesting in the boxes without any help. That is not to say that they may not appreciate the help. I know that Martins sometimes like a pre-made nest.
I have a TS nest somewhat close to my Martin housing and I notice that the TS will often fly around with the Martins. Has anyone else had this experience??
Fledge on!
Nanette
Nanette
Hi Don,
Ford8n (not IHC) :>)
In my experience with cage kept birds and observing wild birds...priming a cavitiy in the hope of attracting birds to one's site is a proven practice but I question the "building" of nests or stuffing cavities full especially in previously occupied cavities for a couple of reasons.
Males and females need time to come into breeding condition after a long migration. The courtship routine provides for this and when they have to spend time building a nest it allows them this time. I don't have statistic to prove a theory....maybe this would be something for the PMCA to study....but I would imagine that couples who spend the additional time building a nest together may be better established to protect that nest and to bring to fledge a greater percentage of young. I think our efforts to "speed up the process" may be a hinderance to established birds.
Addtionally, some birds prefer different materials....I also primed cavities with pine straw (soft stuff as Dan points out) only to have the birds take the cavity but but not before spending time cleaning out all that I put in. When that pair's nest was built they used no pine materials at all. That being said could it then be possible that some birds would overlook a cavity stuffed with a material they wouldn't choose to use?
Tree swallows here spend a lot of time establishing territory and and don't have any apparent trouble building a really neat nest in a short amount of time once they have the area clear of other TS....they sure seem to spend a lot of energy claiming and setting up housekeeping. When they build their nest you will wonder where the naked birds are that gave up all those feathers to the TS
tom
Ford8n (not IHC) :>)
In my experience with cage kept birds and observing wild birds...priming a cavitiy in the hope of attracting birds to one's site is a proven practice but I question the "building" of nests or stuffing cavities full especially in previously occupied cavities for a couple of reasons.
Males and females need time to come into breeding condition after a long migration. The courtship routine provides for this and when they have to spend time building a nest it allows them this time. I don't have statistic to prove a theory....maybe this would be something for the PMCA to study....but I would imagine that couples who spend the additional time building a nest together may be better established to protect that nest and to bring to fledge a greater percentage of young. I think our efforts to "speed up the process" may be a hinderance to established birds.
Addtionally, some birds prefer different materials....I also primed cavities with pine straw (soft stuff as Dan points out) only to have the birds take the cavity but but not before spending time cleaning out all that I put in. When that pair's nest was built they used no pine materials at all. That being said could it then be possible that some birds would overlook a cavity stuffed with a material they wouldn't choose to use?
Tree swallows here spend a lot of time establishing territory and and don't have any apparent trouble building a really neat nest in a short amount of time once they have the area clear of other TS....they sure seem to spend a lot of energy claiming and setting up housekeeping. When they build their nest you will wonder where the naked birds are that gave up all those feathers to the TS
tom
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
I LOVE tree swallows too but I learned the hard way NOT to let a pair of tree swallows nest in your purple martin gourd setup as they WILL chase away any martins that arrive. This year I followed the advise on The Forum and put up a couple tree swallow and bluebird gourds 25 feet away from the purple martin area. Keep the martin gourds plugged until the tree swallows have claimed your alternative nesting site and have made nests/hopefully laid eggs. The little ts are VERY territorial! Still, I love them as much as martins.
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Guest
Have some fun with your tree swallows. Once they begin nesting offer them some nice fluffy white feathers. They will often swoop down and take them from your hand if you hold them up. They will then fly high with it, release it, and play tag as the feather tumbles on the wind. Eventually, one will grab the feather and head straight for their nestbox add it to their nest.
We never tire of providing them with feathers and watching them play 'feather football' high in the sky.
Jeff Nelson
We never tire of providing them with feathers and watching them play 'feather football' high in the sky.
Jeff Nelson
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Guest
Jeff and Carlton,
I put out a BB trail this year I have 6 BB boxes 300 ft. apart.I put a gourd 25 ft.from the BB box for ts to nest in. That way they don't have to
fight over the box.So far it's working just like it suppose to BB in box ts in gourds one pair each so far.It work out good this way because they protect each other nest.Jeff thanks for tip on the feather football sounds
like fun I give a try and let you know how I make out.
I put out a BB trail this year I have 6 BB boxes 300 ft. apart.I put a gourd 25 ft.from the BB box for ts to nest in. That way they don't have to
fight over the box.So far it's working just like it suppose to BB in box ts in gourds one pair each so far.It work out good this way because they protect each other nest.Jeff thanks for tip on the feather football sounds
like fun I give a try and let you know how I make out.
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Guest
Jeff and Carlton,
I put out a BB trail this year I have 6 BB boxes 300 ft. apart.I put a gourd 25 ft.from the BB box for ts to nest in. That way they don't have to
fight over the box.So far it's working just like it suppose to BB in box ts in gourds one pair each so far.It work out good this way because they protect each other nest.Jeff thanks for tip on the feather football sounds
like fun I give a try and let you know how I make out.
I put out a BB trail this year I have 6 BB boxes 300 ft. apart.I put a gourd 25 ft.from the BB box for ts to nest in. That way they don't have to
fight over the box.So far it's working just like it suppose to BB in box ts in gourds one pair each so far.It work out good this way because they protect each other nest.Jeff thanks for tip on the feather football sounds
like fun I give a try and let you know how I make out.