No interest in my cavities

kim w. · Wed May 23, 2018 3:19 pm

Question for more experienced. The last three days I have had subs around my setup. Mostly sit on the electric line close by or once and a while on top of a house. I have not seen one even look at at or in a cavity. This is year five for me trying to establish a colony. The past two years I’ve had a couple stay in a cavity for up to ten days or so but were unsuccessful in getting a mate. The only thing different this year its almost two weeks earlier. There here but not interested?

C.C.Martins · Wed May 23, 2018 4:26 pm

Perhaps describe for the group what you have to offer as far as housing and perhaps the location? could be a number of things, tough to say. they are in the area so something is keeping them from investigating further.

kim w. · Wed May 23, 2018 4:47 pm

I build my own houses. Two T10’s one with crescent openings and SnK bo 11’s underneath and one with with SnK tunnels and Troyes horizontal gourds under it. Third house mimics a trendsetter with Conley 11. Also built a covered bed and breakfast. I have smeared mud, play dawn song, 2 decoys and offer a couple round holes. Sparrows and starlings are trapped or shot. Also found out if you catch bluebirds or tree swallows in my sparrow traps a few times they soon figure they’re not welcome in this area. I have plenty of other nesting boxes on the farm for them.

kim w. · Wed May 23, 2018 5:00 pm

Having trouble uploading a photo

Dan G · Wed May 23, 2018 6:04 pm

I am by no way experienced since I am not a landlord but like you, have been trying for five years. Sounds like you are doing the normal things. Is the housing you are offering, similar to what nearby landlords have?
That’s interesting that the B.B.s learn not to be trapped.

TheSmiths · Wed May 23, 2018 6:24 pm

kim w. wrote:Having trouble uploading a photo

Try resizing your photo to 640x480 pixels.

kim w. · Wed May 23, 2018 7:00 pm

Photo

C.C.Martins · Wed May 23, 2018 8:38 pm

My gosh! thats quite the set up. Congrats on a well managed and well done site. Ok, well it doesnt look tree choked and that power line is in a great spot! It looks Martin friendly to me. I think its just a matter of time, you have a lot of room for them. They stayed for a bit, all you need is that one first pair. From the subbie reports in the state and from what the folks here are saying, its been slow going for them to show.

I think its just a matter of time, you have an awesome set up! Maybe LLs in your state will chime in here?
Wish you all the best of luck,
Tom

Matt F. · Wed May 23, 2018 8:56 pm

Your site looks great Kim!
I really like the traditional , Trendsetter style house!
Question: Are there any active colonies near you? If so, what kind of housing are they using?

Buckeyefarmer · Wed May 23, 2018 10:02 pm

Nice job on the houses, they look great!
Hang in there, it will happen eventually.

kim w. · Thu May 24, 2018 5:55 am

Thanks for the compliments. I don’t have to many colonies within 5 miles but 5-12 miles there’s a boatload. More trendsetter and t-14 style house than gourds but still definitely some gourds too. As a matter of fact the trendsetter is made about 8 miles from me.

randy741985 · Fri May 25, 2018 9:53 am

kim w. wrote:Thanks for the compliments. I don’t have to many colonies within 5 miles but 5-12 miles there’s a boatload. More trendsetter and t-14 style house than gourds but still definitely some gourds too. As a matter of fact the trendsetter is made about 8 miles from me.

This is my first year I have had no Luck and I know very Little. But how far is your site located from Human Housing and activity? Also can you tell me where you got the pulleys for the top of your Poles? Your site looks Great.

Thanks

sugarcreek · Fri May 25, 2018 10:43 am

Don't know if your playing the dawnsong tape or not but if you aren't that could shake some things up for you...If your houses are within 50 ft of your house and no trees from the houses to your place you look like you have a very nice location and its just a matter of time.

My first yr it was May 24th till my first pair showed up

phldave · Fri May 25, 2018 11:09 am

kim,
I feel your pain. I hope we get some of these subbies still moving north to find us and move in. It's just got to happen, we have paid our dues.
Very best of luck to you,
Dave

kim w. · Fri May 25, 2018 5:13 pm

Thanks Dave. And the best of luck to you. It’s got to happen sometime

kim w. · Fri May 25, 2018 6:39 pm

Playing dawn song and the houses are 50-60’ from my shop. The pullies came from s n k manufacturing

randy741985 · Fri May 25, 2018 8:08 pm

Thanks for the response, I think with your setup it will happen.

Emil Pampell-Tx · Sat May 26, 2018 9:02 am

Kim, your site looks good. However, if you wish to improve it and increase interest in your housing, the very best thing to do is to remove some trees, that ALWAYS works.

pmlover · Sat May 26, 2018 9:22 am

to many trees by your houses plus the utility lines look to close to houses which is a great place for hawks.
I suspect hawks are the problems and if you don't have guards on your poles snakes or varmets could be keeping them out.

kim w. · Sat May 26, 2018 9:48 am

pmlover, Emil
The trees are over 100' away. Your the first person that said the power lines a problem. Most say its a great perch for the martins. Besides how is that any different than putting up a perch pole which a lot of the Amish around me have? Predator guards are in place.