Rails and WDC's

[Guest]

If you had a 3 to 3 1/2" porch would a rail hinder access to a WDC entrance??

dick

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Remember the PM is listed as being 7 1/2 to 8 inches long. Therefore if a PM was perched on the porch rail, its head would have to be at the level or below the level of its feet. What I did was when I put my SREH on, I put a half inch thick board on the porch in front of the door, then added the SREH above that. Mine were all crescent, but now I've went back to Round holes, and I don't have the boards on the porch at this time. Might put them back on though. Not decided. CUL Lou

[Tallsilver]

On my S&K house the crescent is 1/2" or so above the floor. Could this be a reason no martins have shown an interest in the house?? I have 3 pair in my gourds where the crescent is level with the porch. As yet, I haven't seen one martin enter the crescents on the house.

Just wondering????????? Should I add something to the porch to make the crescents level? Also, if I decide to go all gourds for next year, should I take the house down and add a rack, or leave the house for reference and add another pole and gourds?

Thanks

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Aaron, the crescents are actually easier for the martins (& starlings) if they are raised slightly. They usually are kept low so the starlings have poor chance of entering. I think that in the area you live that the martins may like gourds better so that may be why they are using the gourds. We simply guess about questions like that, as we are always trying to figure out what they like best.

You can add something to the porch to make it level, but in my opinion that will not help attract martins.

If you add another rack, I don't think the house will either help or hurt you, it simply is your preference to keep it up or take it down. Most people probably would leave it up for a few years after they have martins, because they may start using the house.

[Tallsilver]

Thanks Emil,

My first thought is to leave it as is, buy a better pole, and just add gourds to the new one. Guess I'll have plenty of time to think on it....til next spring.