STARLINGS ATE THE MARTIN EGGS IN ONE NEST.
ABOUT TEN DAYS AGO i SAW A STARLING FLYING OUT OF MY ALUMINUM CONDO WHICH HAD THE 2 INCH ROUND HOLE ENTRANCES. HE HAD EATEN ALL THE EGGS INSIDE, OR BROKEN THEM (5). i ASKED FOR ADVICE ON OUR SITE HERE, AND GOT SOME GOOD ADVICE BOTH FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR AND FROM A MEMBER, MARK. i WAS AFRAID TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO RESTRICTOR ENTRANCES BECAUSE NESTING WAS WELL UNDER WAY. I WAS IN A BIT OF A PANIC AS TO WHAT TO DO. I WAS ADVISED TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE SWITCH, AND WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAVE MUCH OF A PROBLEM WITH MARTINS QUITTING AND LEAVING. THE CONDO WAS ONE OF THE GRANDPA TYPES WITH SWING OUT INDIVIDUAL DOORS. IT TOOK ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO MAKE THE SWITCH TO THE CONLEY 2'S. THE MARTINS WERE HARDLY BOTHERED AT ALL, JUST THE NORMAL FUSSING WHILE THE CONDO WAS IN THE DOWN POSITION. BY THE NEXT MORNING THEY WERE GOING IN THE NEW ENTRANCES WITH LITTLE OR NO PROBLEMS. NOW THEY SEEM TO BE RIGHT AT HOME AND THE STARLINGS ARE STILL AROUND, BUT THEY CANNOT GET IN, THANK HEAVENS. THANK YOU MS. SITE ADMINISTRATOR AND TO MARK WHO ALSO TOLD ME THE MARTINS WOULD BE GOING IN THE NEW ENTRANCES IN A MATTER OF A HALF HOUR OR LESS. I AM SO APPRECIATIVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SHARED KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
voyager,
I am so happy that your martins made the transition easily. I was in your shoes several years ago. I had just resumed martin landlording after 10 years absence. The new methods had been established at the time I started again. I was apprehensive also.
When I saw how quickly and easily the martins accepted the SREHs, I never looked back.
Be aware, in the Southeast we have the dreaded small European Starlings that can breach a Conley II.
Mark.
I am so happy that your martins made the transition easily. I was in your shoes several years ago. I had just resumed martin landlording after 10 years absence. The new methods had been established at the time I started again. I was apprehensive also.
When I saw how quickly and easily the martins accepted the SREHs, I never looked back.
Be aware, in the Southeast we have the dreaded small European Starlings that can breach a Conley II.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.