Gourd Pole Bending - Need Alternate Recommendation

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handyman315
Posts: 300
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
Location: SW Ohio
Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.

My S&K Mfg. gourd pole - 2-3/8" round metal is bending in these steady Ohio gales. When I was just a wannabe newbie it really didn't matter all that much, but as a new "family man" it suddenly takes on a whole new safety dimension. Plus, the bend has gotten worse since my May 20 PM arrivals. :shock:

Does anyone have an alternate manufacturer for 2-3/8" round poles that might be stronger? I like the S&K double-tier rack fine, but it appears to put too much strain on the pipe in strong wind gusts - looks like heavy exhaust pipe. Yes, I lower it in storms, but just clear-day gales - like today - really bend it . . . initially not permanently, but becoming more lasting recently.

Other recommendations? Considered - but dismissed the idea of a guy wire support to get me thru this season. But have pretty much dismissed the idea, fearing it might injure my PMs, or at the very least obstruct one of their favorite flyways.

Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated.
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
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Mhoover
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged

Leave it down a few feet to lessen the load on it this season and then after the season if over insert a 10 foot long chain link fence top rail down inside the pole to strengthen it for next year. I did that to both of my 1.9 inch S&K poles last fall after the season was over and it made a big difference. They flex a lot less this year and are able to withstand 50 mph wind gusts now without lowering the gourd racks.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged

PMCA Member
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handyman315
Posts: 300
Joined: Thu May 12, 2016 11:03 am
Location: SW Ohio
Martin Colony History: Colony established May 20, 2017 after three unsuccessful years. Persistent and aggressive Tree Swallows plagued the site, but beyond learning - and practicing - to control them, was the return in 2017 of a 2016-SY-M previously unable to find a mate. As a handsome ASY-M, he brought along two females and a swagger that soon put the Tree Swallow issue to rest. As the anchor pair, he and his mate hatched all six of their eggs into fat and healthy babies into what settled in to be a three-pair, flourishing new colony with up to 11 birds total, including 3 SY-M trouble makers.

Thanks much Mhoover.

Will do both, but really love the fence top rail idea! Brilliant; in fact, the bending is occurring nearer the bottom than top (where leverage is highest/worst), so the reinforcement into my very sturdy concrete footer should help a lot. Just great thinking.

Wanna get back to enjoying my first-year colony and quit worrying about the mechanics right now.

Sincere thanks for sharing.
2023-42 Nests, 197 Eggs/Babies
2022-48 Nests Fledged 203
2021-43 Nests Fledged 185
2020-31 Nests Fledged 133, three early deaths due to cold & rain
2019-19 Nests Fledged 84
2018-11 Nests Fledged 48, ASY-M Arrived April 6, Despite Snow & Cold, Joined Soon by Mate & Two Adult Pairs
2017-3 Nests Fledged 13, FIRST-YEAR LANDLORD! Resident SY-M from 2016 Returned (as ASY-M) on May 20. At Least 11 Adult Residents
2016 Late-Arriving SYs, Resident Lone SY-M
2015-14 Many Visits
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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

Haha. I responded on the wrong thread but wanted to make sure I thank you MHoover! Brilliant idea with the fence top post. I will be using that solution at the end of the season.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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