My frustrations put me in a tough spot, what with health problems over the winter, but I had a "carpe diem" moment these past few days; I decided to try to make my colony site less problematic this year. I have dealt with a tough situation ever since I installed my SS-24 gourd rack two years ago. Prior to then I had raised my (other) gourd rack to a height of about 20 feet; but the SS-24 only was 16 feet tall and the first rack needed a height adjustment to make the two sets of gourds compatible. So, for the past two years I have played around with various (frustrating) techniques to make the two sets of gourds similar heights. But nothing I tried seemed to work
So this weekend I get this great idea to shorten one pole. It has been quite frustrating, trying to adjust the compass orientation of the shorter gourd rack; but I sort of made it work. Now everything seems workable! Both poles are the same height and the orientation problem is gone. Tomorrow I shall install a few gourds in eager anticipation of the scouts' arrival which should be some time next week -- if they keep the same schedule as in recent years. Wish me luck.
PMCA member
2011 - 1 SY pair w/ 2 HY fledged
2012 - 5 breeding pairs
2013 - 14 nesting pairs and several singles
2014 - 8 nesting pairs
2015 - 5 nesting prs w/mostly ASY parents
