To block or not to block
Should I block empty gourds to keep sparrows from trying to nest or try to trap with sticky trap. PM nest have eggs and babies in them.
2014 1 pair,5 eggs,5 hatched & fledged
2015 9 pair, 43 eggs, 41 hatched & fledged
2016 Bad year 9 pair died after laying eggs
2017 rebuilding year, 15 nests with 53 hatched and fledged
2018 28 gourds,22 occupied,112 eggs
2020 28 gourds, 27 occupied, 87 eggs
PMCA Member
2015 9 pair, 43 eggs, 41 hatched & fledged
2016 Bad year 9 pair died after laying eggs
2017 rebuilding year, 15 nests with 53 hatched and fledged
2018 28 gourds,22 occupied,112 eggs
2020 28 gourds, 27 occupied, 87 eggs
PMCA Member
-
Mark/OH
- Posts: 47
- Joined: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:49 am
- Location: OH/Waynesville
- Martin Colony History: 2011 1 Pair, 2012 5 Pair, 2013 11 Pair, 2014 12 Pair, 2015 17 Pair. 2016 15 Pair DYI Gourd rack with 16 plastic gourds, Plastic 4 room house with 6 plastic gourds underneath.
Hi. I wouldn't use sticky tape. For me I have martins that go into unused gourds. Single sy males use them also. If you have a Sparrow problem try to trap or kill them. You could close some but l would not close all. I did have to close 4 of mine that faced the field that sparrows would not leave alone. After that no more problems with them.
Good luck, a never ending battle.
Good luck, a never ending battle.
Mark Waynesville, OH
__________
PMCA MEMBER
2017 22 Pair
2016 15 Pair 84 eggs
2015 17 Pair 108 eggs 78 young 55 fledged
2014 13 Pair 70 eggs 51 young 50 fledged
2013 10 Pair 51 eggs 39 young 39 fledged
2012 5 Pair
2011 1 Pair
__________
PMCA MEMBER
2017 22 Pair
2016 15 Pair 84 eggs
2015 17 Pair 108 eggs 78 young 55 fledged
2014 13 Pair 70 eggs 51 young 50 fledged
2013 10 Pair 51 eggs 39 young 39 fledged
2012 5 Pair
2011 1 Pair
-
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 have not noticed any new nest here in Collierville, TN, but I do see visitors (who are helping the parents encourage the fledgings) peeking into and investigating empty compartments for next year. So my answer to your question is I don't know.
I am against ALL sticky tape because I have seen so many martins killed by sticky tape. One month ago, I got a call from a man who poorly manages his colony. He left sticky tape in a compartment for a week to trap a starling and caught a beautiful ASY male who was paired to a SY female with babies. Both feet and a wing were firmly stuck to the tape. The male was cleaned with Dawn detergent/water and released but I doubt that it survived with such damaged wing feathers. The SY female will have a difficult task feeding the babies to fledge.
I will NEVER use sticky tape.
I am against ALL sticky tape because I have seen so many martins killed by sticky tape. One month ago, I got a call from a man who poorly manages his colony. He left sticky tape in a compartment for a week to trap a starling and caught a beautiful ASY male who was paired to a SY female with babies. Both feet and a wing were firmly stuck to the tape. The male was cleaned with Dawn detergent/water and released but I doubt that it survived with such damaged wing feathers. The SY female will have a difficult task feeding the babies to fledge.
I will NEVER use sticky tape.
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.