INTRODUCING MY MARTINS TO THE NEW SNYDER TYPE SREH
Thanks to everyone for their advice concerning the Snyder SREH replacement doors. After watching Starlings visit my house on a daily, early morning/late afternoon, bases, I'm going to hold off replacing the new doors with the original keyhole shaped ones for a few more days. It would be devastating to find PMs killed and eggs destroyed by rogue Starlings, because I kept the original doors. I keep thinking that if others use the doors successfully, then so can I. I think I have possibly lost 3 PMs that came last week and left after trying the enter the holes a few times. They may not have been my yearlings from last year, but as someone pointed out, simply visitors. Perhaps after next week, my attention will be drawn to hanging my humming bird feeders and will take my mind off the PM problem for a while. Here in western Kentucky, I always hang my feeders the first of April. More PM news later..........
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- 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.
John is right on with his post.
I know Duke personally as he is one of the many great Martin men in this area.
I suggest you carefully bend those pips or humps down and back until they are completely flush with the plate.. This will allow for easier access still without starling breaches.
Also take some light sandpaper or dremel and take the sharp stamping edges of the plate all around the entrance.
The problem comes from the stamping of this entrance into such thin metal. It tends to catch on their feathers and is sharp.
Although this was a great initial design that was 100% starling resistant it can be a little too tough for Martins to learn inittially. We have all switched to the new excluder II entrances up here. Easy to navigate for Martins, but still almost impossible for starlings.
Also check the body opening diameter. Many of these entrances are a bit too tight and may need opened with a dremel another 1/16 of an inch. Should measure 1 3/16.
This modification will save you from taking them on and off. Also note that traction is required both in and out in the form of non skid tape, caulking strips or I used to use the small rolls of foam insulation for around doors and windows. anything for feet to grab going in and out.
You may also lessen the pips to very small humps with a dremmel instead of bending them. Just don't leave sharp edges.
Doug
I know Duke personally as he is one of the many great Martin men in this area.
I suggest you carefully bend those pips or humps down and back until they are completely flush with the plate.. This will allow for easier access still without starling breaches.
Also take some light sandpaper or dremel and take the sharp stamping edges of the plate all around the entrance.
The problem comes from the stamping of this entrance into such thin metal. It tends to catch on their feathers and is sharp.
Although this was a great initial design that was 100% starling resistant it can be a little too tough for Martins to learn inittially. We have all switched to the new excluder II entrances up here. Easy to navigate for Martins, but still almost impossible for starlings.
Also check the body opening diameter. Many of these entrances are a bit too tight and may need opened with a dremel another 1/16 of an inch. Should measure 1 3/16.
This modification will save you from taking them on and off. Also note that traction is required both in and out in the form of non skid tape, caulking strips or I used to use the small rolls of foam insulation for around doors and windows. anything for feet to grab going in and out.
You may also lessen the pips to very small humps with a dremmel instead of bending them. Just don't leave sharp edges.
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.
Hey Doug -- Glad to hear you know Mr Snyder and his history of experimentation with the different holes. TY for the info on changing the pips just a little. I had wondered if I could modify them slightly w/o changing their effectiveness against Starlings. Various Starlings have attempted unsuccessfully to enter during the last two weeks the box has been up. I'm going to enlarge the holes as you suggested and leave them up. I have a second M12K I plan to put up later, so I'll use those holes and then replace the ones outdoors now. This is my third year at this location, so my colony is small, but.....I don't want to loose the members I have developed during the past two years. TY again.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- 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.
Much of the problem with this modification is that the entrance tends to be a little too high off the floor after the installation because of the metal door catch. This door catch also tends to be a toenail catcher too.
Go to the hardware section and find a good wide and thick door/window insulation roll. Find something at least an inch wide made of the gray dense foam. It has adhesive on one side. Put this on each side of the metal catch and across the front outside. This alone will really help.
Cover that metal catch with tape too if you can. Keep an eye out for wing entrapment every day at first, it can happen. Once they learn they go in and out.....it's like nothing.
Note that once you bend those tabs they are there to stay.
If you were to start all over a thicker plastic Excluder II or WDC would be recommended by cutting out your old metal door openings and riveting them on the existing doors. Some folks also use flooring tiles and make their own entrances.
Doug
Go to the hardware section and find a good wide and thick door/window insulation roll. Find something at least an inch wide made of the gray dense foam. It has adhesive on one side. Put this on each side of the metal catch and across the front outside. This alone will really help.
Cover that metal catch with tape too if you can. Keep an eye out for wing entrapment every day at first, it can happen. Once they learn they go in and out.....it's like nothing.
Note that once you bend those tabs they are there to stay.
If you were to start all over a thicker plastic Excluder II or WDC would be recommended by cutting out your old metal door openings and riveting them on the existing doors. Some folks also use flooring tiles and make their own entrances.
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.
Too cold here in Ky to be working on PM house outdoors, but.......I took what I hope will be good advice, and modified my Snyder SREH doors. I'm going to try to upload my photos of the doors and also some weather stripping over the door springs in front and back of the doors. I've done about all I can do -- now it's up to the martins!! I smoothed the edges of all the holes and left the vertical distance from top to bottom of the opening at 1 3/16 inches. I hope that is correct.
- Attachments
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- Front of one of my modified 6 x 12 houses.
- PM house 001.JPG (49.61 KiB) Viewed 5116 times
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- Modified Snyder SREH doors
- PM house 002.JPG (51.41 KiB) Viewed 5126 times
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- Weather stripping added front and back of entrance
- PM house 003.JPG (53.48 KiB) Viewed 5127 times
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- 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.
Nicely done!
Now let's hope the modifications were not too drastic.
I had ones on mine that looked like that too. Don't think the starling could get in either.
Much easier for the Martins. Good luck and good job. Let us know how it works out.
Doug
Now let's hope the modifications were not too drastic.
I had ones on mine that looked like that too. Don't think the starling could get in either.
Much easier for the Martins. Good luck and good job. Let us know how it works out.
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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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
I also have trios like that, M12ks & Dr12ns, I made my own obrounds from old blank doors yrs ago. They worked fine except I made them a little too high and last yr. I saw 3 starlings go in sideways, me & my airgun (BB gun) put a stop to that! This yr. I ordered excluders for all. My staying scouts arrived Feb. 5. I started out with the old obrounds, but did not install the new excluders until March 17. after most of my staying birds were already there for 2+ weeks. All the pm.s were checking out the new doors at first, and I was worried like "all get out!" But by night, thank God they all went in. I think mine had an easier time because they had been use to the obrounds.? NOW A NEW CONCERN: mine are all 6 x 12 But I replaced the Lower Middle Door rods with nuts & screws because I kept seeing the birds in my mind get their legs stuck between the mid. door and the rod! It was'nt easy getting a screw thru a door hole,wall hole and another door hole 4x per each house! That is why I'm thinking about buying/ making nest trays with notches on each floor end for the front and back door floor clips this fall. Good luck, Anthony
Antony- I too, worry about the 'rod thing' in the remodeled rooms, thought about putting tape over the rod and bottom of the door opening, but didn't. If I don't get PMs to stay, I'll not have to worry about that anyway! 
I have a second box I have not put up yet--it still has the original Snyder doors--if I have major problems with Starlings getting into my modified doors, I can once again try the Snyder's. I left my openings at 1 3/16 inches top to bottom in center, as the original Snyders were. Second day with no-shows. Cold and snowny in Ky today, hope my little friends are safe and warm somewhere.
I have a second box I have not put up yet--it still has the original Snyder doors--if I have major problems with Starlings getting into my modified doors, I can once again try the Snyder's. I left my openings at 1 3/16 inches top to bottom in center, as the original Snyders were. Second day with no-shows. Cold and snowny in Ky today, hope my little friends are safe and warm somewhere.-
Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
If you have time, you could replace the lower rod with screws & nuts, the mid. Door is/was a blank door, you can even slide both rods out and leave the mid. door out! The house is strong enough for that, I know, 'cause I did that for 2 yr.s, it was fine, but I felt bad that some birds made longer nest, looking back, I should have left them that way, or got/made nest trays with that small wood mid. boarder. Last yr. 1 hatchling rolled forward, and over the nest and the mid. wall opening! thank God I found it alive and put it back, it made it! another reason why I might go with trays.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
I will be going back to make sure no sharp edges are present on the Snyder Excluder doors I have installed.
I found a minimal edge on the inside of the a few of the Snyder Excluder doors I have at the house. I doubt that they would have been a problem for the martins. Nevertheless, I smoothed the minimal edges with 400 grit sandpaper. You could lick any edge now without any issues. Not that I would but just to emphasize that I no longer have any concerns for the martins entering and exiting those entrances.
I have chosen to leave the shape and outline of these Snyder excluders as originally stamped. I noticed the patent # stamped on the back of the Trio door plates with Snyder Excluders.
I would greatly appreciate a followup on your modifications. Whether the martins enter more freely and whether starlings breach your modified openings.
I cannot visualize the middle door rod you two are discussing.
Mark.
I found a minimal edge on the inside of the a few of the Snyder Excluder doors I have at the house. I doubt that they would have been a problem for the martins. Nevertheless, I smoothed the minimal edges with 400 grit sandpaper. You could lick any edge now without any issues. Not that I would but just to emphasize that I no longer have any concerns for the martins entering and exiting those entrances.
I have chosen to leave the shape and outline of these Snyder excluders as originally stamped. I noticed the patent # stamped on the back of the Trio door plates with Snyder Excluders.
I would greatly appreciate a followup on your modifications. Whether the martins enter more freely and whether starlings breach your modified openings.
I cannot visualize the middle door rod you two are discussing.
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Tue May 13, 2014 8:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Hey Mark, the rod is like the hanging door one where the top of each door "hooks" on to. These run from the bottom of each floor from the outside in across the floors thru each wall and thru each lower (as well as the top) mid. Solid (aka "blank") door/wall . Thses are only for the trios that need a tele. Pole,. Look direct.each M12k/Dr12 lower side outside mid. wall, the ones that need to have a big hole/opening drilled/cut out to make each room 6 x 12. Each mid. wall rod end that sticks out needs an "acorn" nut.
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Doug Martin - PA
- Posts: 1988
- 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.
I am glad you are not changing them all over to the modded version yet.
Keep in mind there are plenty of successful colonies in place using those entrances "as is" they definately keep out the starlings 100%. I have never heard of one breaching them. They are a great SREH.
There is a learning curve however for the Martins. No matter what SREH you use today I always suggest you check the specs. Manufacturing does not always come out perfectly.
Changing them will also change their effectiveness against starlings.
These are perfect entrances for satelite sites that can not be monitored constantly. At least you know they won't be breached.
Doug
Keep in mind there are plenty of successful colonies in place using those entrances "as is" they definately keep out the starlings 100%. I have never heard of one breaching them. They are a great SREH.
There is a learning curve however for the Martins. No matter what SREH you use today I always suggest you check the specs. Manufacturing does not always come out perfectly.
Changing them will also change their effectiveness against starlings.
These are perfect entrances for satelite sites that can not be monitored constantly. At least you know they won't be breached.
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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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Anthony,
I get it now! I thought that I worried about the small things, now I have something else to worry about.
I am also thinking about how I could use the rod in restoring another Trio house one day. I am definitely the son of a father who grew up in the Great Depression.
I am going to do this task on the M6K I inherited from my father. Now I understand how hard it will be to put a bolt and nut through each of those layers instead of having the original rod accomplish the same thing.
Thank you for your help and advise.
Mark.
I get it now! I thought that I worried about the small things, now I have something else to worry about.
I am also thinking about how I could use the rod in restoring another Trio house one day. I am definitely the son of a father who grew up in the Great Depression.
I am going to do this task on the M6K I inherited from my father. Now I understand how hard it will be to put a bolt and nut through each of those layers instead of having the original rod accomplish the same thing.
Thank you for your help and advise.
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Tue May 13, 2014 8:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Gen 4 -- I too, used sand paper around the inside of each cutout door to smooth them down.....BUT.... I DIDN'T LICK 'EM! 
I also modified the hanging part of the new doors -- I found the smooth nuts at the top of the door inside the house tended to keep the new doors from slipping into place properly. With tin snips, I cut about 1/8 inch off, starting at the top inside flange down to the slot on each side, which allowed the door to clear the nuts easier. Hope that's clear. I also snipped the very end of the sharp part at the edge of the slot that slides down onto the rod.
I also modified the hanging part of the new doors -- I found the smooth nuts at the top of the door inside the house tended to keep the new doors from slipping into place properly. With tin snips, I cut about 1/8 inch off, starting at the top inside flange down to the slot on each side, which allowed the door to clear the nuts easier. Hope that's clear. I also snipped the very end of the sharp part at the edge of the slot that slides down onto the rod.-
Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Cool! Mark & lgradyh ! Those little purple birds NEVER stop TEACHING us ! 
Three days into my modified doors -- still no PMs; however, did have a Mr & Mrs Starling stop by for a look. They attempted getting in several of the holes without success and finally flew away -- to try another day I'm sure. I don't know how hard they tried to get in, but I know they didn't, so, I'm sure it won't be easy for them, (fingers crossed).
Hope to see some of my PMs soon, I'm getting anxious!!!
Hope to see some of my PMs soon, I'm getting anxious!!!
Saturday I had a Mr & Mrs Starling stop by to check out my new Snyder replacement doors; they both tried several times (half-heartedly) to get in, finally gave up and flew away. Haven't seen them since.
Sunday -- two pairs of PMs investigated my house, and one pair has stayed all day, entering the house several times without much difficulty, and they have been feeding in the area all day, since the weather has warmed to about 65 degrees (thank god), so I think this pair will stay, now if more will just show up, this pair can teach them how to enter the new doors.
I haven't given up yet!!
Sunday -- two pairs of PMs investigated my house, and one pair has stayed all day, entering the house several times without much difficulty, and they have been feeding in the area all day, since the weather has warmed to about 65 degrees (thank god), so I think this pair will stay, now if more will just show up, this pair can teach them how to enter the new doors.
I haven't given up yet!!
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Congratulations,
Your modified Snyder Excluder entrances have passed both test successfully.
No starling entries and good martin entries.
Those martins act like they want to stay.
Mark.
Your modified Snyder Excluder entrances have passed both test successfully.
No starling entries and good martin entries.
Those martins act like they want to stay.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Yeah, Mark, ty for your advise a few days ago -- I have another M12K which I have remodeled 6 x 12, and have 6 more Snyder doors on them. If I continue to get more PMs, I'll rework those doors like my first ones, and put up the second house. PMs seem to have a much easier time of getting into the modified holes -- Starlings may manage to get in, if they continue to try harder, but the first two, as I stated, gave up and left. I'm not too bothered with them here, and I'm home all day, so I keep an eye on my box most of the time. Maybe in a few days, I'll be able to post some photos, if more come. I'm sure as the season progresses, more photos will be forthcoming from lots of Members.
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
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Trio-Jedi
lady,
Just to update you on my progress with Trio's and excluders.. I added about 150 excluders to the public colony this year.. right now martins are successfully navigating the original excluders just fine. The martins were late, but I don't think it had anything to do with the openings.
Also at my home colony which is nearly all excluders I am nearing a full house which is remarkable this early.
Just to update you on my progress with Trio's and excluders.. I added about 150 excluders to the public colony this year.. right now martins are successfully navigating the original excluders just fine. The martins were late, but I don't think it had anything to do with the openings.
Also at my home colony which is nearly all excluders I am nearing a full house which is remarkable this early.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities