Greetings,
So, I am having issues this spring with a starling attempting to nest in my Troyer Gourds with the Conley entrance. I set a trap in one, but she just moves and begins making a nest in another one gourd, as I have several of the Troyer gourds with the same entrance.
I have read in the past, in this forum, that those with similar issues have had success with attaching the wing entrapment protector over the Conley entrance openings. I was also looking at the plastic replacement plates that PCMA offers, such as the excluder II opening or the crescent opening plate. These plates are made to replace round holes but I'm thinking that I could do the same with the Conely entrance. I will need to adjust the openings on about 10 of my gourds. Any ideas or thoughts on which is preferred? Or other ideas?
Thanks so much!
Alan
Starling Entering Conley Entrance
Visit me at http://www.birdsnsuch.com/
-
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.
Alan,
I have never seen your Avatar. Love it!
I will be visiting your blog. It seems extensive. Your experience in birding is evident from your blog.
I empathize with your frustration about this starling breaching the Conley II entrances. I agree with everyone that this particular starling needs to be eliminated. She does not need to procreate and continue her size and cunning. Unfortunately it will take extreme measures to eliminate her. Bang. I cannot use that extreme measure in my community without dire consequences to me.
Others will give you advise on how to trap and eliminate this starling.
Others may tell you to just ignore this starling. I know the possible consequences, death and destruction to your martins, if you follow that advise. Not me.
I pondered your question about Conley II entrances. I considered cutting out the Conley II and replacing it with a Crescent and Excluder II plate but could not figure out a good way without ruining other good features of the Troyer tunnel. Plus I liked the ease that purple martins enter and exit the Conley II entrance. My frustration was to the point of desperation.
Then I saw a PMCA Forum topic by Mr. Lewis that immediately solved my problems. The more questions I asked Mr. Lewis, the more convinced I became of his flash of genius and of the man himself.
Mr. Lewis Scott has also written an article in the PMCA Update about his "Lewis Modification".
https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... ti-493.pdf
If you have any questions, a search of "Lewis Modification of Conley II entrances" will reveal a myriad of posts about it.
I think that this topic is especially poignant.
http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic ... +k#p247623
Mark.
I have never seen your Avatar. Love it!
I will be visiting your blog. It seems extensive. Your experience in birding is evident from your blog.
I empathize with your frustration about this starling breaching the Conley II entrances. I agree with everyone that this particular starling needs to be eliminated. She does not need to procreate and continue her size and cunning. Unfortunately it will take extreme measures to eliminate her. Bang. I cannot use that extreme measure in my community without dire consequences to me.
Others will give you advise on how to trap and eliminate this starling.
Others may tell you to just ignore this starling. I know the possible consequences, death and destruction to your martins, if you follow that advise. Not me.
I pondered your question about Conley II entrances. I considered cutting out the Conley II and replacing it with a Crescent and Excluder II plate but could not figure out a good way without ruining other good features of the Troyer tunnel. Plus I liked the ease that purple martins enter and exit the Conley II entrance. My frustration was to the point of desperation.
Then I saw a PMCA Forum topic by Mr. Lewis that immediately solved my problems. The more questions I asked Mr. Lewis, the more convinced I became of his flash of genius and of the man himself.
Mr. Lewis Scott has also written an article in the PMCA Update about his "Lewis Modification".
https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... ti-493.pdf
If you have any questions, a search of "Lewis Modification of Conley II entrances" will reveal a myriad of posts about it.
I think that this topic is especially poignant.
http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic ... +k#p247623
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Mon Mar 27, 2017 8:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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.
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Glynn B - LA
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
- Location: Louisiana West Monroe
Just for the time being, plug all the other entrances except the one with the trap in it? You might get lucky and catch it.
Glynn
Glynn
2019 26 pair 116 fledged
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
Mark:
Thank you for the kind words and the great advise; as well as the links you provided! The link for the "Lewis Modification" was extremely helpful. I have placed an order to add these to my Troyer gourds.
Glynn:
That is exactly what I did just a couple hours prior to posting my question. AND, I am happy to report that when I got home from work this afternoon I had caught that little SOB!!! lol! I am hoping that I wont have any further issues with the starlings this season; however I will be adding the wing entrapment's to my Conley II entrances. Thanks!
Alan
Thank you for the kind words and the great advise; as well as the links you provided! The link for the "Lewis Modification" was extremely helpful. I have placed an order to add these to my Troyer gourds.
Glynn:
That is exactly what I did just a couple hours prior to posting my question. AND, I am happy to report that when I got home from work this afternoon I had caught that little SOB!!! lol! I am hoping that I wont have any further issues with the starlings this season; however I will be adding the wing entrapment's to my Conley II entrances. Thanks!
Alan
Visit me at http://www.birdsnsuch.com/
-
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.
I understand what you are going to do. You are going to apply only the wing entrapment protectors on the face of the Conley II entrance.
John Miller is trying this modification on some of his Conley II entrances.
I would recommend that you use a temporary 1/8" spacer on top of the ribbed porch of the Troyer tunnel to establish that space if you ever need to add 1/8" porch elevators. That allows the prescribed reduction in the shoulders of the Conley II entrance that decreases breaches by starlings yet allows free entry/exit of martins. I hope an outside wing entrapment protector also decreases the chance of martin wing entrapment.
Incorporating the 1/8" space will keep the option of a 1/8" slick porch elevator open if needed in the future.
Mark.
John Miller is trying this modification on some of his Conley II entrances.
I would recommend that you use a temporary 1/8" spacer on top of the ribbed porch of the Troyer tunnel to establish that space if you ever need to add 1/8" porch elevators. That allows the prescribed reduction in the shoulders of the Conley II entrance that decreases breaches by starlings yet allows free entry/exit of martins. I hope an outside wing entrapment protector also decreases the chance of martin wing entrapment.
Incorporating the 1/8" space will keep the option of a 1/8" slick porch elevator open if needed in the future.
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.
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I narrowed the entrance to about 1-7/8in, and that stopped the starlings. I put a small 1/2in wooden block on each side and essentially made the entrance a rectangular shape. It worked for me. The small wooden blocks on each side also works as a wing entrapment guard. This is so simple, use caulk to attach the wooden blocks.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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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.
Emil,
Interesting. I am glad that you have figured out another means to reduce starling breaches.
How do you remove your modifications to use the Troyer-Haskell trap? If I understand correctly your modifications are glued permanently and cannot be removed to use this specific trap designed for the Troyer tunnels.
That trap is useful to trap and eliminate any sparrows which may enter a Troyer tunnel. Some individuals use the Troyer-Haskell trap to capture and band martins.
There are many things I like about Troyer tunnels on gourds and martin houses including the ability to use the Troyer-Haskell trap.
Mark.
Interesting. I am glad that you have figured out another means to reduce starling breaches.
How do you remove your modifications to use the Troyer-Haskell trap? If I understand correctly your modifications are glued permanently and cannot be removed to use this specific trap designed for the Troyer tunnels.
That trap is useful to trap and eliminate any sparrows which may enter a Troyer tunnel. Some individuals use the Troyer-Haskell trap to capture and band martins.
There are many things I like about Troyer tunnels on gourds and martin houses including the ability to use the Troyer-Haskell trap.
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.
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Yes, the blocks are glued permanently, but I do not use their trap.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Tim Mangan-Kansas
- Posts: 1728
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 7:25 am
- Location: Kansas, Pittsburg
- Martin Colony History: 2016 - 22 Pair
Alan:
I also have had Conley II entrances breached by starlings on my Troyer gourds. If you raise the height of the porch no more than 1/8" from the bottom of the entrance hole it will help to eliminate almost all breaches by starlings. You can use a piece of wood, a piece of sentra or any of other material. Just glue it down. Here is a pic of one of my Troyer gourds with sentra raising the porch level.
I also have had Conley II entrances breached by starlings on my Troyer gourds. If you raise the height of the porch no more than 1/8" from the bottom of the entrance hole it will help to eliminate almost all breaches by starlings. You can use a piece of wood, a piece of sentra or any of other material. Just glue it down. Here is a pic of one of my Troyer gourds with sentra raising the porch level.
Licensed Bander
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged
2015 - 14 Pair - fledged 68
2014 - Moved to Kansas - 7 Pair, 35 eggs, 28 fledged in first year
2010 Thru 2013 - Moved-Tried to start new colony
2009 - 46 pair, 217 eggs, 178 fledged