Anyone notice the one Tree Swallow in Brenda's video?
Great video Brenda, and great job again on taking on that wonderful project!
The main concern I have the Heath house, is anymore of the floor panels on the bottom floor popping off (which my not be of any concern, if there are no nests in any of the bottom level compartments).
Martin-less no more! Algonkian Park public colony rehab
-
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.
Brenda,
Anthony is right. Sevin 5% dust is everywhere. Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, on and on.
I definitely would leave the Heath Hexagon house as is. No changes, no switch out. As previously stated, pole predator pole guard and Sevin dust for this season. After this season, throw it away as Anthony stated. That house has been assessed and recommendations made. Moving on.
The next picture shows a pristine MSS12 with spaghetti railings. Now we are talking about a house to spend time, money, and effort on.
The only problem I see is that worthless lanyard lock. If there are not any birds currently in that house, then I would be taking down the house and pole, removing that dumb thing, putting in EPS (extruded polystyrene) foam board subfloors, prenesting with pine needles, installing a pole predator guard, reassembling that house & pole and enjoy the pleasure of a good house that is easy to raise and lower. Yeah!
That MSS12 is worth moving to a more favorable location if it never gets any martins. I would dig as deep as it takes to remove the whole chunk of concrete holding that pole in place and bust off all of the concrete with a sledge hammer to move that great house to another location. I know how much work is involved with that effort. I have done it before and would do it again for that house and pole system.
For next year, two of the MSS12s in place of that Heath house would be a blessing. But not this year.
Remember, triage and crisis management.
Mark.
Anthony is right. Sevin 5% dust is everywhere. Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, on and on.
I definitely would leave the Heath Hexagon house as is. No changes, no switch out. As previously stated, pole predator pole guard and Sevin dust for this season. After this season, throw it away as Anthony stated. That house has been assessed and recommendations made. Moving on.
The next picture shows a pristine MSS12 with spaghetti railings. Now we are talking about a house to spend time, money, and effort on.
The only problem I see is that worthless lanyard lock. If there are not any birds currently in that house, then I would be taking down the house and pole, removing that dumb thing, putting in EPS (extruded polystyrene) foam board subfloors, prenesting with pine needles, installing a pole predator guard, reassembling that house & pole and enjoy the pleasure of a good house that is easy to raise and lower. Yeah!
That MSS12 is worth moving to a more favorable location if it never gets any martins. I would dig as deep as it takes to remove the whole chunk of concrete holding that pole in place and bust off all of the concrete with a sledge hammer to move that great house to another location. I know how much work is involved with that effort. I have done it before and would do it again for that house and pole system.
For next year, two of the MSS12s in place of that Heath house would be a blessing. But not this year.
Remember, triage and crisis management.
Mark.
Last edited by 4th Gen Martin Fan on Mon May 25, 2015 9:23 am, edited 3 times 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.
-
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.
Matt,
I missed the tree swallow. I did notice the SY female being courted by the ASY male to select a bottom compartment. She could not decide between those 2 bottom compartments that you are worried about.
But I don't see how Brenda will be able to do anything about those bottom compartment if the house cannot be lowered.
A Trio Jedi Master like you could do it. I could hold the ladder while you climb up and do the emergency repairs. You are younger, bolder, more agile and handsome than I am. Andrew, Anthony, Tim, John or Emil could catch you if you fall.
Mark.
I missed the tree swallow. I did notice the SY female being courted by the ASY male to select a bottom compartment. She could not decide between those 2 bottom compartments that you are worried about.
But I don't see how Brenda will be able to do anything about those bottom compartment if the house cannot be lowered.
A Trio Jedi Master like you could do it. I could hold the ladder while you climb up and do the emergency repairs. You are younger, bolder, more agile and handsome than I am. Andrew, Anthony, Tim, John or Emil could catch you if you fall.
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.
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
First the good news! Michael who lives in nearby Chantilly saw my post on the PMCA fb page and has offered to join me as a volunteer. Thanks Michael!
Now .. what do you guys think about this as a plan? I'll need to schedule a time to talk to the super for approval of expenses and about scheduling staff to assist, see how we can problem solve about getting up to the houses with a ladder, etc. This is what I'm considering recommending:
Phase I:
All housing and compartments need to be labelled as we go.
For the castles, we'll just do the sevin dust and observe whatever we can about the contents of the compartments maybe with a probe and a little flashlight but won't spend too much time on that housing. I saw two out of commission bluebird boxes at the maintenance building that were still on poles with baffles. I'll ask that one be installed on the busy castle and the other on one of the high occupancy houses. Installing baffles on the remaining will need to be done after we get through the initial nest checks.
In the castles and all the houses, I'm thinking if we can confirm there is no nest in a compartment, we should plug the hole. Again, there are 2 more castles and 6 Trios scattered about the course. The more nests in one house the better in terms of time management it seems to me. Its totally plausible that one or more of the houses has no native nest in it at all.
For the Trios, I would love to do some quick maintenance and see if we can get the mechanism to lower the houses to function properly. I'll have tools and lubricant on hand. There was a suggestion on another page to remove the top part of the pole with the house on it but I'm worried about doing that with eggs in nests and just want to get through this first nest check.
For the Trios, seems like we could prepare the subfloors per Mark's suggestion with the nesting material beforehand and have that available to quickly replace any nest we find. We'll apply sevin dust beneath the nesting material.
Phase II - Build DIY baffles and install. The staff, I assume, has been building these for the bluebird boxes so hopefully they'll be able to do it for the martins. If we've found that we can get the houses to lower with some maintenance to the system then complete related maintenance on any houses that require it.
Phase III - Install porch dividers at second nest check
Now .. what do you guys think about this as a plan? I'll need to schedule a time to talk to the super for approval of expenses and about scheduling staff to assist, see how we can problem solve about getting up to the houses with a ladder, etc. This is what I'm considering recommending:
Phase I:
All housing and compartments need to be labelled as we go.
For the castles, we'll just do the sevin dust and observe whatever we can about the contents of the compartments maybe with a probe and a little flashlight but won't spend too much time on that housing. I saw two out of commission bluebird boxes at the maintenance building that were still on poles with baffles. I'll ask that one be installed on the busy castle and the other on one of the high occupancy houses. Installing baffles on the remaining will need to be done after we get through the initial nest checks.
In the castles and all the houses, I'm thinking if we can confirm there is no nest in a compartment, we should plug the hole. Again, there are 2 more castles and 6 Trios scattered about the course. The more nests in one house the better in terms of time management it seems to me. Its totally plausible that one or more of the houses has no native nest in it at all.
For the Trios, I would love to do some quick maintenance and see if we can get the mechanism to lower the houses to function properly. I'll have tools and lubricant on hand. There was a suggestion on another page to remove the top part of the pole with the house on it but I'm worried about doing that with eggs in nests and just want to get through this first nest check.
For the Trios, seems like we could prepare the subfloors per Mark's suggestion with the nesting material beforehand and have that available to quickly replace any nest we find. We'll apply sevin dust beneath the nesting material.
Phase II - Build DIY baffles and install. The staff, I assume, has been building these for the bluebird boxes so hopefully they'll be able to do it for the martins. If we've found that we can get the houses to lower with some maintenance to the system then complete related maintenance on any houses that require it.
Phase III - Install porch dividers at second nest check
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
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.
Brenda,
Sounds like an excellent plan. Go for it!
Mark.
Sounds like an excellent plan. Go for it!
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.
-
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 !
Brenda, Great Job ! I'll just throw this out there, ..IF there are NO PMs at 2 of the 6 Trios, You COULD get those 2 ready in the Off Season to replace the Heath Castles with. (?) Of course, IF you do see PMs at ALL of the Trios, then the plan should be to replace the Castles with New/Donated Trios. (?) 
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
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.
Brenda,
Unless someone has an alternative to housing, such as gourd racks or a different brand of house, there are advantages to having the same type of housing at the public site. You and those who help you will be familiar with its operation and maintenance. Parts can be interchanged to suit the needs of different houses in the park.
Do you like the Trio MSS12 houses? Of course, you have not had a chance to be familiar with them yet.
Your profile indicates that you have a gourd rack with 6 Troyer vertical gourds. That system was put together and installed by someone.
Are you handy with tools and fixing stuff? Your organizational skills and prose indicate prior experience with projects. Who knows, with the diverse background of people on this Forum, you could be an engineer!
Mark.
Unless someone has an alternative to housing, such as gourd racks or a different brand of house, there are advantages to having the same type of housing at the public site. You and those who help you will be familiar with its operation and maintenance. Parts can be interchanged to suit the needs of different houses in the park.
Do you like the Trio MSS12 houses? Of course, you have not had a chance to be familiar with them yet.
Your profile indicates that you have a gourd rack with 6 Troyer vertical gourds. That system was put together and installed by someone.
Are you handy with tools and fixing stuff? Your organizational skills and prose indicate prior experience with projects. Who knows, with the diverse background of people on this Forum, you could be an engineer!
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.
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Mark - I have absolutely no problem with the Trio houses. I would like to have the powers that be consider purchasing a multi-purpose pole system or two as I understand multiple houses can be mounted on those. I don't like the fact that they are scattered about the course and will recommend all the housing be together for ease of management and so the colony can be enjoyed by more than just the people on the course. There is a site near the pro-shop/club house that looks really good to me and will see if placement there might be a possible goal for next season. As it is, I'm worried about getting beaned by an errant golf ball while doing nest checks! Still don't know how many pair we're talking about at this point but seems like an area teeming with martins as opposed to several houses here and there just makes more sense to me.
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
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 could not agree with you more. The multipurpose pole by PMCA is ideal for this application.
The only thing to consider is that the MSS12 is designed for the Trio pole system where the house slides up and down the pole.
The M12K is more compatible with the multipurpose pole.
Mark.
The only thing to consider is that the MSS12 is designed for the Trio pole system where the house slides up and down the pole.
The M12K is more compatible with the multipurpose pole.
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.
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Hi Folks --- Can someone provide me with the dimensions for the DYI subfloors Mark described? I'd like to get those cut out and prepared ahead of time with the sevin so we can just pop them in the MSS12 compartments as we go rather than assembling at the time of nest replacement.
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Mark - so you're saying that the MSS12 cannot be mounted on the multi/purpose poles? I really loathe the thought of dealing with those telescoping poles x6.
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
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'm measuring one of my mine right now at 5,7/8" x 5,7/8", just under 6"x 6" but with a folded edge on the sides, so you could make home made ones with an Aluminum plate of 6 1/8" x 6 1/8" to allow for the BEND. And you have to make a NOTCH of a little over 1/2" wide by 1, 7/8" long in the middle Edge to make room for the Floor Clip. I hope that makes sense, Please look at pics in the PMCA Store.
What Mark was saying is that the M-12Ks are better suited for a MPP. But you CAN mount a MSS-12 on the MPP also, you can just cover the hole in the middle.
I Can't use a MSS-12 on my MPPs, because of my yard, I HAVE to Have ALL my door openings on one side. (I could, but I would only have 4 Rooms instead of 6 !
)
Here's a pic of the BACK of my 3 MPPs From my Roof ( all back doors are solid Blank Doors) & 1 M-12k on a tri pole.
Sorry, forgot to mention that the 4 Houses on the left are Flat Top DR-12Ns & the other 3 are M-12ks.
What Mark was saying is that the M-12Ks are better suited for a MPP. But you CAN mount a MSS-12 on the MPP also, you can just cover the hole in the middle.
I Can't use a MSS-12 on my MPPs, because of my yard, I HAVE to Have ALL my door openings on one side. (I could, but I would only have 4 Rooms instead of 6 !
) Here's a pic of the BACK of my 3 MPPs From my Roof ( all back doors are solid Blank Doors) & 1 M-12k on a tri pole.
Sorry, forgot to mention that the 4 Houses on the left are Flat Top DR-12Ns & the other 3 are M-12ks.
- Attachments
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PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
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.
Brenda,
Sorry, I was following your train of thought to install Trio houses on a Multipurpose Pole (MPP).
I agree with you that the telescoping poles are a pain. I avoid them because of the inconvenience and effort it takes to raise and lower a telescoping pole.
Anthony has clarified the difference between installing a MSS12 vs. M12K onto a MPP.
Both the MPP (2" square aluminum pole) or the MPP3 (3" square aluminum pole) from PMCA have a rope and pulley system. In order to make either the MPP or MPP3 (when bought new) to a winch system, then you would also have to order the Multipurpose Pole Winch Add-On. This additional option would replace the rope system with a winch system.
My sister loves the winch system on her K-Series 18 gourd rack. She says the winch system is a joy to operate and she can operate a winch by herself. She feels much safer with the winch system.
Mark.
Sorry, I was following your train of thought to install Trio houses on a Multipurpose Pole (MPP).
I agree with you that the telescoping poles are a pain. I avoid them because of the inconvenience and effort it takes to raise and lower a telescoping pole.
Anthony has clarified the difference between installing a MSS12 vs. M12K onto a MPP.
Both the MPP (2" square aluminum pole) or the MPP3 (3" square aluminum pole) from PMCA have a rope and pulley system. In order to make either the MPP or MPP3 (when bought new) to a winch system, then you would also have to order the Multipurpose Pole Winch Add-On. This additional option would replace the rope system with a winch system.
My sister loves the winch system on her K-Series 18 gourd rack. She says the winch system is a joy to operate and she can operate a winch by herself. She feels much safer with the winch system.
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.
-
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 !
Good point about the winch system Mark ! I must Really need to speak to "Some one 
" ( Doctor, Doctor, give me the news ... good song !) Because Every Time I raise & lower my MPPs by the ROPE , I ask myself, " Why Do You LIKE To Put Yourself thru this Rope Thing ? " 
I can't figure ? But, I do !.. Must be a Mid Life Thing !
" ( Doctor, Doctor, give me the news ... good song !) Because Every Time I raise & lower my MPPs by the ROPE , I ask myself, " Why Do You LIKE To Put Yourself thru this Rope Thing ? " I can't figure ? But, I do !.. Must be a Mid Life Thing ! PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Come to think of it, One of the 6 must be vacant or at least with no native nest. We'll take any of those down. Probably best to have one available for fitting during fabrication of the subfloors. Thanks though for the specs and additional detail and for photo!
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Finished the initial efforts at Algonkian:
The one Heath castle with nesting martins is even more difficult than I anticipated because for some reason someone extended the pole so it's actually even higher than the other two and of course cannot be lowered. I did bring my big step ladder and can still just barely reach the top compartments which of course cannot be opened. Lots of mud nests. Since I can't fit my hand in the holes to reach all the way in, I used a little flashlight and mirror to try to determine if there are any eggs. I confirmed 4 active nests with 13 eggs but I know there are more. There is another house on the course that has 4 nests with 6 eggs each. The other two houses are basically claimed by TRES but there are a few more mud nests here and there with no eggs so maybe they are the SY nests and they haven't laid yet. The remaining two castles have no martin activity that I can see which is a good thing. We installed predator guards on the two houses with eggs and one additional house at that site.
I went out to Brambleton, the other golf course where there are 3 MSS12s. All in pretty good shape except one is missing a door. Found a dead blue bird and remains of a TRES in this one but also two martin nests with 11 eggs and a TRES nest with eggs. One of the houses sited up on a hill had nests in 11 out of 12 compartments for a total of 61 eggs! The third house had TRES nests. None of the houses have predator guards yet and I'm worried because I don't think I can get them installed until next week. Do you think applying thick machine grease to the poles in the meantime will help? I would hate to lose those 61 eggs to a climbing predator!
Also, I went out to my mentor's site on Tuesday and did a nest check with her. She has two big racks and I don't know how many gourds but suffice it to say, I got a lot of great training. We banded a female too. She has her first nestlings so I expect I'll being seeing some at my sites in a week or so. I'm so fortunate to have such a fabulous mentor. Thank you Nanette Mickle!
I do have a question for you Trio guys. Is there anyway to mount 4 of the MSS12s on one pole system? I know with the multi-pole system you can mount 2 houses and gourds underneath but I would love to only purchase one pole.
The one Heath castle with nesting martins is even more difficult than I anticipated because for some reason someone extended the pole so it's actually even higher than the other two and of course cannot be lowered. I did bring my big step ladder and can still just barely reach the top compartments which of course cannot be opened. Lots of mud nests. Since I can't fit my hand in the holes to reach all the way in, I used a little flashlight and mirror to try to determine if there are any eggs. I confirmed 4 active nests with 13 eggs but I know there are more. There is another house on the course that has 4 nests with 6 eggs each. The other two houses are basically claimed by TRES but there are a few more mud nests here and there with no eggs so maybe they are the SY nests and they haven't laid yet. The remaining two castles have no martin activity that I can see which is a good thing. We installed predator guards on the two houses with eggs and one additional house at that site.
I went out to Brambleton, the other golf course where there are 3 MSS12s. All in pretty good shape except one is missing a door. Found a dead blue bird and remains of a TRES in this one but also two martin nests with 11 eggs and a TRES nest with eggs. One of the houses sited up on a hill had nests in 11 out of 12 compartments for a total of 61 eggs! The third house had TRES nests. None of the houses have predator guards yet and I'm worried because I don't think I can get them installed until next week. Do you think applying thick machine grease to the poles in the meantime will help? I would hate to lose those 61 eggs to a climbing predator!
Also, I went out to my mentor's site on Tuesday and did a nest check with her. She has two big racks and I don't know how many gourds but suffice it to say, I got a lot of great training. We banded a female too. She has her first nestlings so I expect I'll being seeing some at my sites in a week or so. I'm so fortunate to have such a fabulous mentor. Thank you Nanette Mickle!
I do have a question for you Trio guys. Is there anyway to mount 4 of the MSS12s on one pole system? I know with the multi-pole system you can mount 2 houses and gourds underneath but I would love to only purchase one pole.
Last edited by wastrox on Thu May 28, 2015 2:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
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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 Brenda, Way to go ! In a pinch, I'd rather see motor grease on a pole than a Snake in the PM House any Day ! I know you can take the Roof off a Trio M-12Ks and nut & screw the 2 extra floors right on the other 2 just like the Second floor onto the First, I would think you can do the same to the MSS-12 , Remove Roof, Go for bolting the other house on top ! 4 Floors ! Then you can mount each 4 Floor house on each MPP Arm ! You'll Have " MINI MSS-12 Castles ! 
PMCA Member, 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals + Tunnels, & 2 S&K Bo 11"s WITH Troyer Porches ! 4 MPPs, For 2019 Season !! Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.
Started in 1992 from Older '50-'60s Colonies.-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Wow! I love the idea of stacking those houses. A project for the off season!
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Snake netting and DIY owl/hawk guards installed today. Question: Do you remove the netting when you do nest checks or just push it down or what?
Also, found one more house at Brambleton. They told me there were three but there are four. I was informed by the course manager that the houses have not been taken down or maintained at all during the off season. I suspected as much by the looks of them. The ones at Algonkian are in better shape and didn't have nasty old nests in them like these houses did.
Also, found one more house at Brambleton. They told me there were three but there are four. I was informed by the course manager that the houses have not been taken down or maintained at all during the off season. I suspected as much by the looks of them. The ones at Algonkian are in better shape and didn't have nasty old nests in them like these houses did.
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
-
wastrox
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2015 10:16 am
- Location: VA/Great Falls
- Martin Colony History: A new purple martin wannabe landlord, I took over management of long neglected colonies at two public golf courses Spring of 2015. I had 20 nesting pairs at Algonkian Golf Course and 15 at Brambleton.
Hello Folks! Here's a belated and abbreviated report on the results of my inaugural year as a landlord. At the Algonkian Golf Course, I just took down that dilapidated Heath Castle that was so popular and counted 14 nests. Only one of the four Trios had martins and early in the season I counted 6 nests and 24 eggs. There were some casualties in the colony due to infanticide and there may have been some renesting as well because those were the last martins to leave. I believe there ended up being more than 6 pair nesting in that house by seasons end. Due to my inexperience and a hectic summer that did not allow as much time as I would have liked for land lording, my record keeping was lacking and I don't have my conservative estimate of numbers fledged with me at the moment but with 20 pair at that site, I think I done good by our purple feathered friends nonetheless. At Brambleton Golf Course, my other site, I had one Trio with 11 nests, 64 eggs early on and some infanticide there too and some re-nesting. There were two pair sharing one of the other Trios with a tree swallow pair. So I figure Brambleton had 13 pair. There too I didn't get good counts, don't have my notes and can't remember how many eggs but I saw at least 5 fledges leave the house with two pair in early July while 3 had yet to fledge. I'm proud to say the martins in that house were saved from three black snakes that got caught in the netting I installed. Yay me! Can't wait for March when they return!
2015 Obsessed Newbie - brand spankin' new 6 gourd Troyer system at home and only lookers
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies
2015 took over management in late May of sites at two golf courses with active colonies