Tree Swallows building nest in my Martin Gourds?

[Gonzo 1982]

Hey folks,

It's another year and I've had my gourds open for a few weeks. I've had a few visitors, male scouts I believe. It could of just been visitors from my neighbor's martin house about 200 yards away. Anyways, the tree swallows have started building nest and were chasing the martins when they did pay a visit. Do I need to try and keep them away in hope that my two pair from last year show up? I have ordered a martin house to go along with the gourds but it hasn't arrived yet. I'm just concerned that the TS are keeping my martins or other martins from staying. Anyone have any thoughts?

[Hanover Bill]

Hi Gonzo;

My experience with Tree Swallows has been a bit strange. I always provide separate housing for them and the Bluebirds, but getting them to use it can be a problem.

Two years ago I had a very aggressive pair nest in a separately provided gourd, and they tried their best to drive any visiting Martin away, even after they had their nest established in the separate gourd.

Last year I had a very docile pair build a nest in a Bluebird box, close to my Martin housing, and create no problem at all for the Martins. They co-existed very nicely with each other. I think a lot of it has to do with the individuals as crazy as that may sound.

I doubt if that does you much good in solving your problem, but those have been my observations the last couple of years.

Best of luck to you.

Hanover Bill.

[DAVE]

What I did was to buy a couple cheep blue bird houses and put them up about 30 feet to either side of my Martin racks and then put blue masking tape over the hole that the Swallows were using. After fighting the Martin for a while they went to the houses. Good Luck
Dave

[Gonzo 1982]

Last year I bought a couple of bluebird houses and they went to one last year. The tape idea sounds good but I'm afraid if I do that before I have any martins, they will just go to a different gourd.

[Ed Svetich-WI]

Rather than go thru a long narrative, I suggest that you go to the " search" option at the top of the page. Enter "Tree Swallow Interference Protocol" by Dan Drew. I and many others have used this protocol successfully. I know of no other option. We have all dealt with tree swallows. Good luck.

Ed

[Ladybug]

Gonzo:
The one year that I had both species nest without problems-2012.
I had put up a huge natural white gourd for the T.S. at the very Back of my property. Once Trees claimed that Gourd, I then opened up all the Martin S-gourds. ALSO this TS. pair was NOT aggressive. All the other years the TS have been very aggressive. I now have 1 or 2 pair this is here but I think just 1 pair is staying. I have ALL entrances plugged until the Martins return. I am hoping soon. The Tree Swallows have already
chased away my male Bluebird 2 days ago. Not seen him since. Martin
Landlords who live a few miles away-- their Martins have returned.
You can find great information on the Forum, and online about TS.
Good Luck. Hope you have a great successful year.
PMCA Member.

[Louise Chambers]

http://www.drugfreeworkplace.com/~Dan/T ... GENCY.html

[Wetterdale]

Hi Gonzo

I have been battling TS for a couple years now and as much as I love them, they are a major problem. I've introduced a TS box as per the protocol, however, when PM visitors arrived, they chase them away. My conclusion is that if you are starting a new colony, the TS will likely over power the SYs and you will not get martins. This year I have moved all my TS boxes 100s of yards away from my rig and my Martin house is closed down until the SYs arrive. I hope the TS have chosen boxes well away in time. TS cannot be in the Martin air space for a new colony.

Now you have a returning pair. They are much more likely to hold their ground. Here's what I think you should do. Follow the protocol. Close All your gourds immediately and add a TS box or gourd on a shepperd's hook or post 6' off the ground, 10' from you rig. The TS will take it very quickly. Maybe same day. Once they have taken it, start to move it away a few feet per day using a second shepperd's hook. Once it is 30-40' away leave it. You can gradually reopen you gourds once the TS are definitely sticking with their new house. If they are nesting in the new box you are probably okay. I would gradually open a few gourds and watch what happens. If they go back, close your gourds again and give them more time. My guess is you should be able to get your gourds open in less then one week.

If your ASY pair return, this should work. If they don't return and you are back to SYs, even a separate TS box probably won't work. They will probably chase visiting martins. Then you have to keep the TS away completely. You'd have to keep your Martin gourds closed for a long time until the TS move on. This is the problem.

I wish you the best of luck. Keep us in the loop. We can all learn from your experience.

[jr 2]

I have had ts and bb separate gourds out for 4 years and neither has nested in them;not even a hs has tried too nest in them;they seem too like the martin houses better but I don't have a problem now as I have had martins nesting in my 4th year but the ts and bb are still flying around;;they must be nesting close by;;;jr2