After two nights of the male staying, last night I had both the male & female stay. Looks like I have my first pair, I guess I can assume that.
I hope they attract more. Last night before dusk there was about six that flew in with them. A couple did set on the gourd rack with them. Couldn't tell what they were.
As I stated earlier I will have my sparrow trap in operation this week. Anyone with any suggestions on dealing with these pests? I have also noticed the last couple of days I have had some starlings hanging around. I guess I have to deal with these guys too. Any suggestions would be helpful with this would be great also.
my first pair
Congratulations on your first pair! As far as the starlings go, you simply must have SREH entrances. Voila, no more prolem with them. 
The sparrows (evil little heathen devils 
) are a constant annoyance and threat to our colonies and must be dealt with as they appear on the scene. I find that the gourd traps or the universal traps work the best if you are not a good shot with a gun. Read the old posts about fighting sparrows - there is a lot of information there.
Jeanne
The sparrows (evil little heathen devils ) are a constant annoyance and threat to our colonies and must be dealt with as they appear on the scene. I find that the gourd traps or the universal traps work the best if you are not a good shot with a gun. Read the old posts about fighting sparrows - there is a lot of information there.Jeanne
"Look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap, yet your heavenly Father feeds them."
Wow good luck and how very exciting.
Here we trap the starlings. As soon as they lay eggs we transfer the nest into the trap in the cavity and presto within minutes we have the starling...
Here we trap the starlings. As soon as they lay eggs we transfer the nest into the trap in the cavity and presto within minutes we have the starling...
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
Congrats!! sounds like you are good to go since they are staying the night!
as far as starlings, they shouldn't be a problem at all, once you change your openings to SREH. the sparrows are a different issue, i use the spare-o-door, and have trapped many this season already, it really works good. of course it is designed to be used with the trio type house........Rick
as far as starlings, they shouldn't be a problem at all, once you change your openings to SREH. the sparrows are a different issue, i use the spare-o-door, and have trapped many this season already, it really works good. of course it is designed to be used with the trio type house........Rick
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Guest
Sounds good!!! Your probably on the way to stardom! 
As for the starlings, we shoot them. That is fast and forever. I do have a sparrow trap, haven't caught one yet though, hopefully soon. Best wishes.
As for the starlings, we shoot them. That is fast and forever. I do have a sparrow trap, haven't caught one yet though, hopefully soon. Best wishes. -
Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
If no other method of trapping HS works then, as a last resort, cut out a 1 1/2 inch or so hole in a section of heavy plastic (such as the side of a milk jug) and SECURELY tape it over the hole at the condo with the active HS nest. Put a PAPER BACKED (not plastic backed as it is harder to use) glue trap in there. Most of the time the HS will go in if it has an active nest. Put a couple of strands of the nest out through the new narrowed entrance to lure them back in. WATCH as they usually go in shortly after you lay down the trap. Put the captured pest in a plastic bag, shoot in a quick shot of starter fluid (has ether in it), and seal it up. They are gone is seconds.