Anti Swing Device for Gourds
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
A company made them, they were called NoRockers I think, but that company went out of business.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I have 250 gourds, and they are all mounted so they do not swing. I did that to reduce owl predation. With them swinging, the owls will fly into the gourds, causing them to swing violently (like playing volleyball), and thus the martins will flush, and the owl will catch them. I think stationary gourds help, baffles help so owls do not see the martins, and deep compartments help. The more things you can do to help such a situation, the better off you are. If you have a wire cage, then its ok to let the gourds swing. I really do not care what other people think, I am doing this to try to protect our martins, to each his own, and do what makes you feel good. We have a whole lot of Barred Owls in our area
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
As Emil said, it s all personal preference.. I have a thriving colony of 114 round holes gourds and they all swing....but I'm old school!!! 
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Lighter weight gourds swing much more, and gourds without as much depth "whip" more in the wind. Should you or shouldn't you might include characteristics of the gourd, how windy in your area, even how they are hung. Chuck Abare, martin guru, hangs naturals with two pivot points to get a gentle swing. I wire some of mine with an extra loop around the necks to be stationary. I let my heavy excluders swing a bit. Reading this may cause drowsiness - do not drive...
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I had a large long necked gourd that I hung from a wire one time, that thing would swing at least 2ft. I finally cut part of the neck off, put a covered vent over the cut off neck, and redrilled the hanging holes. I never did like such a gourd.
Another time, some styrofoam gourds were sent to me to try, now those things were very light, too large, and they swung way too much. It was impossible to use something that lightweight.
I agree with John, if your gourd is heavy, it will not swing as much. Also, the larger a gourd is, the more it will swing (more wind resistance)
After encountering all those problems, they are all solved now since mine no longer swing...easy way to solve the problem if the rack is built a certain way.
Another time, some styrofoam gourds were sent to me to try, now those things were very light, too large, and they swung way too much. It was impossible to use something that lightweight.
I agree with John, if your gourd is heavy, it will not swing as much. Also, the larger a gourd is, the more it will swing (more wind resistance)
After encountering all those problems, they are all solved now since mine no longer swing...easy way to solve the problem if the rack is built a certain way.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
I had barred owls before I had my Safe Haven houses. They have partitions between the the entrance and nest cavity. I also have No Rockers on my THG's with my modified Conley II's (Lewis SREH). I no longer see any evidence of owl predation. If the owl can not see or reach the martins and the if the house and gourds are not disturbed I think the martins feel safe.I have witnessed my martins zip into the THG's immediately after returning from a hawk attack which makes me believe they feel safe in these deep long gourds I think the wing guard and raised porch makes it difficult for the owl to look or reach inside. I also have 4 solar lights on the gourd rack.
Lewis
Lewis
Spring Garden Keeper
I had six gourds last season and they all had No-Rockers on them. For me personally it puts my mind at ease not having them rock. This season, I added six more gourds, three of which are Troyer Horizonatal and as I sit typing this, a strong burst of wind is occurring and I can see them rocking.
Mike
Fifth season of being a landlord! and a PMCA member!
Fifth season of being a landlord!
and a PMCA member!Each definitely has their pros and cons.chickadee wrote:in my opinion and many others it is not necessary for them not to swing.
Gourds that don't swing, as well as houses (which are obviously also stationary) can still be drummed on by owls, causing Martins to flush, as shown by Kathy F.
Some may even argue that gourds that are stationary, may provide for a more stable platform, for an owl or hawk to hang on to.
Stationary or not, like the others have mentioned, the best thing to have are nice, deep compartments, that are even configured so that the nests are not viewable from the outside.
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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.
Tim,
Be on the look out for purple martins. I saw that Durant, OK is only 25 miles northeast of Pottsboro, TX as the martins fly.
You need to inform us as soon as you get martins!
Mark.
Be on the look out for purple martins. I saw that Durant, OK is only 25 miles northeast of Pottsboro, TX as the martins fly.
You need to inform us as soon as you get martins!
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.