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~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

I need information on where to buy, or how to make the large bits that will gouge out a concave depression in styrofoam for nesting trays. Thanks, Ray
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
pear
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Apr 20, 2011 12:07 pm
Location: Ohio/ Cutler

Ray, If you can't do any better sharpen the edge of an old spoon and scoup a cup out of the foam. Randy"pear"Bauman
3 T-14's


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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

John Balga posted info about his "nest cutter", on the Ontario Purple Martin Association's website (about a quarter the way down the page):
http://essexpurplemartins.ca/purple-mar ... -products/
That looks like one mean, nest-bowl-cutting machine!
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terrapincove
Posts: 366
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:06 pm
Location: Maurice River, Southern NJ
Martin Colony History: Well established 90 cavity colony. Mostly plastic gourds with some custom cedar houses atop pilings out over the river. We live stream the activity on our website https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKqSW ... Ph2tywu4eg

We are on the Maurice River. The Maurice is brackish and tidal. It meets the Delaware bay about three miles down at East Point, NJ. The area is remote and consists of dense marshland and swamp. Dragonflies abound.

Swallows arrive in mid August and finish nesting mid July. There is a large annual roost in mid August upriver a few miles at Mauricetown.

Trying heating a metal surface of the desired size and use it to make the impression
Good luck Purple Martin Landlords.

Terrapin Cove

Always Live https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKqSW ... Ph2tywu4eg
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 sharp knife and chipping out small pieces works great. The nest does not need to be perfectly round, its much better to have ridges all over the place.. If you do not have a hugh amount, I would do it by hand.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
~Ray~Gingerich
Posts: 2122
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:24 pm
Location: Delaware/Dover

Thanks everyone for the info :) I didn't even try to make one yet, will get a sheet of blue insulation board and give it a go.
~Ray~ Gingerich
1999 1pair, 2006 2 pair, 2008 2 pair,
2009 23 pair, 2010 39 pair, 2011 67 pair,
2012 115 pair, 2013 160 pair,
2014 152 pair, 2015 174 pair, 2016 178 pair
2017 187 pair, 2018 200 pair, 2019 171pair
2020 233 pair
Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

We just make a flat tray with low side walls for nest area - easy to do with sheet of blue foam and hot glue gun.
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