Tree swallow question

[John & Linda - KY]

We've got 24 gourds up, probably about 10 pairs of martins so far. A pair of tree swallows have been checking out the gourds and seem determined to nest. We haven't seen any fighting with the martins. I know it's not recommended to allow TS's to occupy martin housing. But has anyone let a TS pair nest in a martin colony, and if so how did it work out. SY martins will be coming back soon, but we've never had our gourds completely occupied, so will it hurt to allow the TS's to nest? -- John

[Ed Svetich-WI]

Chances are the tree swallows will move on. They are territorial and will have issues with others in close proximity. I suggest giving them an alternative. Do you have a blue bird house that you can install within 20-30 feet of your gourd racks? The tree swallows may prefer the house to the gourd racks. Your goal is martins, not tree swallows.I have heard of tree swallows and martins coexisting in the same gourd rack but why not give them a preferred alternative?

24 gourds is a good choice and will not be too much work when they are full of martins..

Good luck,

Ed

[avesrun]

I agree with Ed and will add I am a firm believer in NEVER ALLOWING TREE SWALLOWS TO NEST IN MARTIN HOUSING /GOURDS.
They have site fidelity like Martin's and allowing them in Martin housing could be inviting future nightmares/interference. One person's opinion.
TimG

[Louise Chambers]

Now and then a pair nested in one of the PMCA's gourd racks, with no problems. But these were active, established sites. Once the martins evicted the swallows.

[John & Linda - KY]

Thanks for the thoughts, I may make a house for them. Our site has been established for almost 20 years, so I'm not really worried about the martins leaving but they may not let the TS nest. -- John

[avesrun]

My main concern by letting a pair nest would be the possibility in subsequent years of trsw returning earlier than Martins and taking a liking to the rack in maybe larger numbers. Maybe not a concern but why take a chance. A lot may depend on site and location. If you are not near a body of water and trsw in general are not seen in large numbers could mean a better situation.
The best option imo is to place a box or two within the recommended 25-35ft. from the Martin pole (s). The trsw prefer that anyway.
TimG

[gray fox]

tree swallows prefer high housing . They will normally go for that high gourd rack housing before occupying low blue bird boxes. Their a beautiful bird but very persistent.

[1BirdmanEye]

I have 3 bluebird houses 100ft from my gourd poles,never had issues with them showing interest in the gourds,there more concerned competing with the blue birds.

[Mudflap]

That's a great question. We had let a pair of Tree Swallows and a pair of Bluebirds use a PM house a couple of years ago when we were trying to get PM's started, but now that we have PM's we don't let anything else in. TS's and BB's aren't at all interested in the house, but the TS's were very interested in the gourds, which we opened for a few days but had to close because they were taking them over. We're waiting for more PM's before we open the gourds so they can defend them and we're hoping the TS's will be settled in one of the super gourds down low when we open the gourd rack.

[go4]

I have had a single pair of TS at my site for several years. That pair will not allow other TS anywhere near my colony. If the TS get a little upity. My martins use a coordinated whole colony effort to evict TS from the better housing units to a unit which no martin wants.