Troyer Horizontal Gourd with 45 Degree Angle Turn

[tim414]

Screech Owls eat a lot of insects, including cockroaches! So they are our friends They occasionally nest in martin houses and gourds, with round entrances. They eat birds on occasion, too - but if insects are abundant, that may keep them happy. We mostly hear about Great Horned and Barred Owls raiding martin colonies.

Having a mix of house and gourds, or of gourd types, can't hurt a thing, could help. One year in PA (I had a modified Trio house and gourds) a subadult male showed every female that came along the house, which was his preference. One female might have stayed if he would have paid attention to HER preference, which was a gourd. He did not listen to her and kept saying they would nest in the house! After a few days, she left, and he never got a mate.

I am pretty sure any observations that females choose horizontal gourds are not significant, that is, have no statistical validity - but offering both types is good, give them some choice.

Yes; I agree (or should I say, this noob agrees, lol). Thats why I bought some verticals too. I plan to start with a mix of 6 gourds. Four THG and two TVG.

I might go ahead and buy a few excluders too. Let me look into that.

I will "eventually" put up a house. But, before I do, my plans now (which are subject to change with more insight and experience) are to first fill up my gemini, install a second one, then after it passes 25-40% occupancy install a T-14. (wow, I have at least learned enough where I can name different equipment used in this hobby!!!)....

Thanks Louise.
Tim

Add: I did not know I had selected the I and U function....lol

[msalcido]

Tim,
Great job! Question for you, what is the raised thing in front of the entrance? And what purpose does it serve?

Thanks!

[Tim Mangan-Kansas]

Mike:

On the older Troyer gourds the porch was lower from the bottom of the entrance hole than the ones now being sold. I had a problem with starlings being able to use the lower porch to push with their feet to gain access through the SHEH. I placed a small piece of wood on the porch raising the level to about 1/8" below the opening. This prevented the starling from being able to gain access. I feel porches should be between flush and no more than 1/8" from bottom of opening to help prevent breaches by starlings.

Tim

[BillS]

Do the individual cages work as well for Owl/Hawk predation than an entire cage for the whole gourd rack? They defintely look like they would be easier to manage than a large cage covering the whole rack.