Question

[cajun]

Pre nest pine straw. I put 2 handfuls of pine straw in each of my gourds. I flattened it down as much as I could but I didn't make a nest bowl out of it. When I used to have my colony the birds did everything themselves. They made nests out of twigs and mud with some leaves. Should I bring the rack down or let it go like that? I do not have and pine straw blocking the entrances or in the tunnels!
The reason I ask is I posted on here about the 3 ASY males that landed and went in and out of the gourds and I had a pair buzz the gourds a couple of times but have not returned while I was home?
When I had martins they used to come in and claim a hole in a house and that was it, things sure have changed.

[DannyM]

Cajun, I got my first pair last last year in my gourds after trying for two years. I put one handful of pine straw in each gourd and and mashed it down and they just put leaves on top of the pine straw and arranged it the way they wanted. I was trying everything anybody suggested. Also put mud around the entrance and played the dawnsong religiously every morning. Don't know which one helped the most or if all did. Just my observation. Hopefully my pair will come back as weel as some others. I had several other pair visit of and on so hopefully some of them will nest in mine this year also. Good luck!

[James Strickland FL]

I have used pine straw for years and the martins make there on bowl. Now at to them not going back in after doing so, it is not uncommon for them to not come in and stay when they just get back home. Some nights they stay and some nights they do not. When the nesting fever hits they will stay and go in to the gourds.

[cajun]

Thanks for the replies. I never used anything in my houses so this is new to me. I will just leave it like it is and go from there. Good Luck to you guys this year!
Thanks Tim

[eyeamtheman]

What you've done should be fine. They'll manage. Good luck!!