Gourd "cooling caps"

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birdman in buckhead
Posts: 169
Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2018 10:47 am
Location: Small Town Buckhead, GA (not ATL Buckhead)
Martin Colony History: 2018: 1 pair, 5 fledged
2019: 3 pairs, 10 fledged
2020: 3 pairs, 13 fledged
2021: 13 pairs, 46 fledged
2022: 22 pairs, 89 fledged
2023: 20 pairs, 85 fledged

Do gourd "cooling caps" work as advertised? (web address to one such cooling cap is inserted below) Are they worth the investment? I have double walled gourds and added PVC elbows to the cleanout lids. When it gets extremely hot I add reflective insulation to cover the gourds. I'm just curious if adding the cooling caps would help all that much. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
https://skmfg.com/collections/accessori ... e99e&_ss=r
Question: Has PMCA or any individual ever done a study to determine the effects of interior gourd temperatures when using and not using the different cooling devices on the market?
GEAUX TIGERS!

Cheers!
Terry
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Spiderman
Posts: 987
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:19 am
Location: Gladewater, Texas

I guess the question is did you have meant jumpers last year?

I added 3/4” ells to the clean out lids as you did. I’m using Troyer Horizontal Gourds and also added two 3/4” ells to the back of the gourds.

I haven’t had any jumpers since doing that years ago.
Colony started in 2002

Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds

2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS

*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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Thomas Maddox
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Spiderman, what are ells?.
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 2879
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair.
HOSP: 52 Starlings: 29
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair,
PMCA member

Thomas Maddox wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 18, 2024 4:44 pm
 Spiderman, what are ells?.
Thomas,
Eels. Think he meant to say he added eels. Its a type of fish.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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Phil01
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27

PMCA Member

LMAO!!!!! Yes, they eat the algae off the gourds…
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 2879
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair.
HOSP: 52 Starlings: 29
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair,
PMCA member

Phil01 wrote: ↑
Sun Feb 18, 2024 6:05 pm
 LMAO!!!!! Yes, they eat the algae off the gourds…
Thomas and Spiderman are going to hunt me down for that.....
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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Phil01
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27

PMCA Member

Yeah they are… I thought it was great! Hahaha
It’s ok, you have a new pellet gun to defend yourself with.
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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Thomas Maddox
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Typical Ell type guys I see! I bet you allow PMs that are actually illegal immigrants to live free of rent in your cavities.
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Phil01
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27

PMCA Member

Nope, we send those to NYC…
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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deancamp
Posts: 860
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:17 pm
Location: Raymore, MO

Great conversation guys!! I couldn't help from laughing and laughing again. Wish I were quick witted enough to join the conversation. 🤣😂
Jeff
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Spiderman
Posts: 987
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 9:19 am
Location: Gladewater, Texas

Male to female 3/4” pvc elbow fittings.
Colony started in 2002

Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds

2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS

*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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dsonyay
Posts: 1586
Joined: Fri Jul 02, 2010 3:10 pm
Location: Louisiana/Broussard
Martin Colony History: 2010-2014 located in Slidell LA. Gourd rack with 16 gourds. Max of 2 pairs during this short period in Slidell. Plenty of fledglings.

2014-present.. moved to Broussard LA. Same Gourd Rack but added a 6 room house (modified from a 12 room)

2020: after a long drought of nothing, 4 pairs and 4 nests, 23 eggs total.
6 fledges.

2021: 9 pair, 47 eggs
36 hatchlings
30 fledged

2022: about 12 pairs.. many eggs, all fledged.. only had one hatchling die.. probably because of our schnauzer. :(

2023: 16 pairs. So far about 60 chicks with about a dozen eggs to go. :)

I’ve been using the cooling caps— down here in south La.

I’m not sure how necessary they are for me because all PMs have fledged by first week of July at latest.. usually last week of June. Temps have not really got that high and it’s not until mid July and August when we have the multiple triple digit days and no rains. In my experience martins do perfectly fine in the mid to upper 90 temps.

But— it certainly doesn't do any harm- so I have them. I have no clue as to how much they lower inside temps either… but the reasoning seems fine.
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Unk Bond
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:11 pm
Location: Ohio

Hello All and [ Later
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1978
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

Up here in the north it seems the ventilation to prevent condensation and dampness is the main need for venting and these vented caps are very helpful. A Troyer horizontal gets real bad up here if it's not vented well. So 2 elbows in the back and a vented cap are on all mine. I have bought several each year and now most all gourds have these here.

On another note. Ernie "Els" was a professional golfer years ago and I believe he had small vent holes in his golf cap. Kept his head from getting too sweaty in hot weather. :wink:

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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C.C.Martins
Posts: 2879
Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
Location: Corpus Christi Tx
Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair.
HOSP: 52 Starlings: 29
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 36 PMCA excluder gourds, 6 room trio mini castle with troyer tunnels and enlarged compartments.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair,
PMCA member

Agree Doug,
Lots believe airflow vs cooling is the end result of venting. Iv a few 90 degree PVC 1 inch elbows on our caps, not many and keep em plugged most of the year.

Leave it up to a golfer to lead the way!
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
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Unk Bond
Posts: 35
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 1:11 pm
Location: Ohio

Hello All
Notice my middle gourd picture
Near the top of the gourd You will see preformed dimples like
There you can drill a small hole and be protected by the dimple lip roof. [ Later
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Phil01
Posts: 215
Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Martin Colony History: 34 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.

2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27

PMCA Member

Yep, I have all the dimples on my Troyer horizontal and verticals drilled out at an upward angle. Believe I used a 3/8 in drill bit if memory serves me…,Plus vented gourd caps on all. I remove the plugs on the caps once the sweltering summer heat arrives here. Have not had any jumpers or wet nests in the gourds to date.
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
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Thomas Maddox
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Ah Ernie Els! I wonder what a John Dailey modification would look like??
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Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1978
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

Thinking the John Dailey version may have a funnel on the cap that runs down into a large cavity lol
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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Thomas Maddox
Posts: 274
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 5:23 pm
Location: Sulphur, Louisiana

Doug, that's funny. Have to throw in a cigarette or 2 for warming purposes.
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