Just a quick encouragement for those of you wanting to attract martins. We had one pair last year (two fledged) and have been fighting starlings and sparrows like crazy. Our pair came back March 29th. Two days ago ( yes... around May 1st)... three more Martins started spending the night!
Yippee. Got lots of good advice from martin hog who lives about 30 miles away! Best advice was to put a pinwheel up to discourage starling until we could kill it! It worked! We did go to SREH holes though because we work and couldn't patrol/fight starlings everyday. Our martins did not hesitate to go in the new holes on their gourd. Good luck to all and have a great Martin Saturday![/b]
It's not over yet in North Texas! Yippee
Ok...I know it sounds weird.... 
but he told us to put a pinwheel (you know...the kids' dollar toy that turns in the wind?) on the martin house. It didn't bother the martins, but the starlings would not land on the house....this was just for a few days until our SREH came in the mail and we killed the main starling..... It was sort of a temporary distraction....but sadly, it didn't seem to affect the sparrows for long.... Don't people here have the coolest ideas! 
but he told us to put a pinwheel (you know...the kids' dollar toy that turns in the wind?) on the martin house. It didn't bother the martins, but the starlings would not land on the house....this was just for a few days until our SREH came in the mail and we killed the main starling..... It was sort of a temporary distraction....but sadly, it didn't seem to affect the sparrows for long.... Don't people here have the coolest ideas! -
Guest
Owens, thanks so much for the update. I'm still watching, but time is running out. Interesting about the pinwheel idea. 
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Joe Zorn
Owne
If you had left that pinwheel up much longer, you would have probably found it in the sparrow's nest!but sadly, it didn't seem to affect the sparrows for long....
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Guest
I hope you're not right. I still waiting to see any subbies. My fingers are crossed that they are still coming through our area (north texas).lilyrose wrote:I'm still watching, but time is running out.
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Guest
I hope you are right that I am wrong.Jennifer - TX wrote:I hope you're not right. I still waiting to see any subbies. My fingers are crossed that they are still coming through our area (north texas).
