T-14 Entrance

[bigwill1767]

I am building a T-14 to offer alternative housing to my gourds. It is made of 3/4" pine. I have made 2 of the doors with staggered 2 1/8" round holes so I only have the other 2 doors to make. I will mount the T-14 on a round pole with winch pulley system. Now that I am getting close to time to paint and put the house up I am second guessing my decision to use round entrances. I am considering starting over on the doors and just make all entrances SREH. I have not seen any Starlings but they may show up later. I have read many opinions on wing entrapments with all types of SREH's. I was leaning toward making the adjustable crescent entrances but am considering just cutting the doors for WDC Modified Excluder if I can find a template to cut from. I would appreciate your opinions on entrances for T-14's.
So far this year I have 1 male that comes by everyday while I play Dawnsong. He has brought several females by but none have stayed in the gourds.

Thanks,
Keven

[Keith]

Kevin,
The T-14 is a very nice house. It's very attractive and gives good protection for nesting Martins in my opinion. The year I had one up however, it was my experience that the Starlings would seem so interested in it that they hung around most of the season. I had never experienced this to that degree with my other housing. This was happening even though they could not enter the SREH openings. I would have really had trouble with the round holes. Again, just my personal experience.
Keith

[bigwill1767]

Thanks Keith. I just want to be sure that the Starlings can not get in and avoid the Martins getting trapped. No one is home during the day to watch but I check in the mornings, evenings and all the time during the weekends. My three sons and I will take care of the starlings with shotguns if they show up and start hanging around.

[flyin-lowe]

Here is what I would do if I were you. I would go ahead and cut your round holes square and then by the plastic SREH plates to go over the square hole. The problem with wing entrapment usually occurs when the thin plate SREH is used and the wing gets caught were it attaches to the body. If you have the thickness of the wood door around your SREH entrance then your chances of wing entrapment goes way down. For the SREH to be most affective the bottom of the entrance should be flush or within 1/4 of an inch of the porch.
One way people combat wing entrapment is to stick foam or wood around the outside and inside of the SREH opening. The wooden door of your T14 will act as this bumper. I haven't read of any wing entrapments on a T14 with SREH. That doesn't mean it hasn't happened I just don't remember it being a topic on here.
I too have a T14 on a round pole so if you need any other info let me know.

[bigwill1767]

Thanks flyin-lowe. I just ordered the SREH plates. I will go ahead and finish the T-14 and make the pole mounting frame and paint. I will also add 3in porches flush with the floor. Will be ready to put it up when I receive the SREH shipment.

[Stretch]

i suggest tunnels...drill out 3.25 inch holes...use 3 inch sewer pipe cut in about 2 inch length...use pvc glue and get some sreh entrances from sandy bunn...bam...interchangeable, predator resistant, martin lovin' entrances!!! (or just order them pre-made from sandy )

Staggered entrances for counter measures to porch dominance!

see my house...I'll post a link in a sec.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A ... directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C ... directlink

[bigwill1767]

Thanks Stretch. I do like the way that looks. I already have some 3 inch pipe at home.

[Stretch]

you bet! Let me know if you have any questions about tunnel design/construction.

[RC Moser]

I would only cut 1 entry in the front doors and the rest in the sides so you have L shaped entry on 90%. Then, I would make nest trays with baffles so you would not be able to see the nest cavity when looking straight into the entry hole. I also like porch with roof or the added tunnel as suggested. This keeps rain and sun somewhat from blowing in or shinning in. I like the round to square drain pipe adapter (3x4" square side) IMO easier to mount plates cause you have something to drill into.

try to post picture of my 10 year old T-14 which has been modified several times over the years. also If I was to build another one it would be the Flecker GHOST house design.

[bigwill1767]

Thanks RC. What are the 90 degree elbows pointed down for?

[flyin-lowe]

Those are vents to help keep the compartments cool. Hot air can raise up and out the elbow but rain cannot enter the cavity.

[bigwill1767]

Thanks flyin-lowe. That looks like a good idea. Im guessing 1/2" or 3/4" pvc 90degree elbows. I will probably incorporate this in my T-14. I am going to have to quit reading this forum because I will never get my T-14 up with all the new ideas of modification. I have bought some material for porches and little roofs over the porches, round rod for perches, crescent SREH, etc
I plan to put the entrances on the sides now rather than on the front door. I am anxious to get it finished and in the air. I still only have the 1 male that comes to my gourd rack. I have seen him go in twice right before dark so I guess he is staying. Some days I dont see him at all. Hopefully the SREH will come early next week. Thanks to everyone for the great ideas. I will post some pics when I finish.

[flyin-lowe]

Some people also use small 2 inch louvered vents from the big box hardware stores. They are just like the vents that people have there houses only they are 2 inches. I personally like the looks of these better then the PVC elbows.

[geezer]

This will be the 7th year for my Factory Crescent T-14. It is the cornerstone of my colony. I have 10 gourds hanging on it.

The T-14 has no wing entrapment problems, no starling, hawk, or owl problems. The returning PM's fill it up first.

Highly recommended.

Geezer