Martinfest in Griggsville

[JamesinIA]

If you live within driving distance to attend tomorrow your support would surely be appreciated. The folks in Griggsville have really worked hard and set up a great venue to host martinfest. With it being their first year they have done quite well. No it is not like Victor's in Finger, nothing could ever compete with that place but it is a really nice setting. There are loads of Trio houses of all types and most of them have martins in them.

The vendors have great displays and sure would appreciate your business.

Wish I could be there tomorrow also.......James

[JamesinIA]

another pic

[Dick Sherry]

I'd like to thank all those who had a hand in putting together Martinfest in Griggsville. It was a nice event and it was good to see some of the Stoll family there. A whole lot of martins have been raised over the last fifty years in housing that was manufactured in Griggsville. It is an amazing story.

[starling shooter]

Do they have many nesting pairs do they have there? What is the occupancy rates?

I see those old houses in many places but few have PMs. You show me a T14 or gourd rack and I'll show you a landlord.

[Dick Sherry]

There is no question that the most serious landlords are putting up gourd racks and T-14 type housing, but most of them probably got started with Trio/Nature House products, and have modified them any number of times and may still have them as part of their set-up. Their is no questioning their durability over many years.

I think that in many cases martin houses have been left in place when the original purchaser moved, and the house has lasted through multiple owners who may or may not have any interest in martins.

[Matt F.]

There is no question that the most serious landlords are putting up gourd racks and T-14 type housing

There are a few of us serious landlords, that still make Trio/Nature House houses our first choice in housing.....
Let's not forget, that even though we know a lot more about Martin management, and Martin friendly housing, than was known 25 years ago, it was Trio that pioneered many management friendly features:
- easy, individual compartment access
- easy vertical lowering/raising
It was Trio Mfg.'s Nature Society that was first in promoting nest checks, and how beneficial they are for the Martins.
There are still huge numbers of these houses, that were erected as far back as the early 60s, and are still hosting many Martins.
I'm convinced, had it not been for the Trio aluminum Martin houses, that were purchased in huge numbers in the 60s, 70s, and even 80s, we would not be seeing the numbers of Martins that we enjoy today.
It was the combination of the bright, shiny aluminum, and the 6"X6" compartments, that allowed the Martins to continue to nest for decades, without having to worry too much about starlings. Trio recognized this almost 50 years ago. And keep in mind, this was probably the best starling resistant housing at the time, as the first starling resistant entrance holes weren't introduced until sometime around the early 90s.
And of course, thanks to their aluminum construction, not only do we still see these 30, 40, and almost 50 year old houses still hosting Martins, but as shown by forum member Scully from San Antonio, many are still able to be easily raised and lowered to perform nest checks.

Today, we have numerous starling resistant entrances, and many makes and models of excellent houses and gourds to choose from. Many of the maintenance/managment friendly features these houses boast, were originally tested, and pioneered, by Trio/Nature House.
In my humble opinion, Trio/Nature House houses (after being easily modified to larger compartments w/ starling resistant entrances) are one of the top choices, among the premiere, high-quality, manufactured Martin houses.
I promise I'm not a Trio/Nature House employee - just a self proclaimed Trio/Nature House fanatic....

[John Miller]

I agree with Matt that the Trio housing saved martins....that's no reason for ERVA to sit on its laurels..sp? never know how to spell that. They should address some way to get the crescents closer to the porch, and they need to offer an insulated house or a kit for insulation for northern parts of the range.

And while I'm telling others what they need to do, the PMCA needs to add an update to the download sheet on modifying Trio houses -- it's pretty old. I'm sure Matt and I could could submit a few paragraphs. The topic is one of the most frequently discussed on the Forum.

I'll sit quietly for remainder of today (grin).

John M

[jonkertb]

I know that my Trio Castles have had close to 100% the last couple of years. I've modified them into two room suites, SREH, and porch dividers. My only complaint is having to open the individual doors in nest checks while with my other home made housing I open one door and check 4 or 5 nests at a time....pole could be a little heavier too but that said, they work great and I've seen many T 14 type houses being a sparrow ghetto too...the housing doesn't determine a good landlord, the management does.....predator control, nest checks, invasive species control, and an air gun by the door as a back up to 3 different traps :>)

[Keith]

Modified MS12 houses and Gourds are all I offer to the Martins at my place. Tried a T-14 once and it attracted too many sparrows plus one pair of Martins would keep other Martins from claiming any cavities on the same side. I do have some information on here about modifying the MS12 that I hoped would be helpful.
Keith

[starling shooter]

Their housing is very durable... just seems with porch dividers, enlarged compartments, SREH, they could dramatically make them better. Most folks are not going to 'modify them'. If you don't put out a great product, folks will go elsewhere.