Nest material
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glmcvickers
- Posts: 26
- Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2005 6:15 pm
- Location: Hohenwald/Tennessee
I have four gourd racks that have been in place for about 6 years. In past years I have always used wood shavings as bedding material. When there are large broods the nests get so messy and packed down so I was thinking about using pine needles this year but I don't want make a change they may not like. Does anyone have any experience in doing this? Will it scare them off? Does it even make a difference? Thanks for all y'all's expertise...I am still a fledgling at this!
Highland Rim Purple Martin's rock!!!!
2014 - 52 cavities, 44 pair, 175 E's
2014 - 52 cavities, 44 pair, 175 E's
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eyeamtheman
- Posts: 633
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
- Location: Quitman, La
- Martin Colony History: Super colony
Pine straw is what most everybody uses. I'm sure if you use it instead of those chips they won't mind a bit.
Johnny
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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 agree with Johnny, pine needles may be the best ever bedding for martins. Some people use other bedding, and it works for them, but pine needles are great.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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AnnieM
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:57 pm
- Location: Spring Branch/Canyon Lake ~ Mystic Shores, Comal County, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 28 - 17 pair
2017 - Full house for first time. 24 gourds all occupied. :-)
I use both pine needles and aspen chips. I line the cavity with the pine needles and then put a handfull of the chips on top. Finally I make a small depression/bowl in the middle. The cavities are pretty full at the beginning of the season, but by the time the martins have raised their brood, the material is quite packed down, as you mentioned. BTW, we don't have pine trees here in Central TX, but the martins have never complained that I'm using non-native nesting material! 
The hardest part is locating a local nursery that sells them. Otherwise I have to order the pine needles on line. Good luck and I bet whatever you use, your martins will thank you!
The hardest part is locating a local nursery that sells them. Otherwise I have to order the pine needles on line. Good luck and I bet whatever you use, your martins will thank you!PMCA Member
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
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James Strickland FL
- Posts: 2249
- Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Reidsville NC
- Martin Colony History: 2017 Had a lot visitors no Matins nesting, hoping 2018 will be different.
2018 Had 1 pair
2019 had 30 pair
I have only used Pine Straw in my gourds and the young do not make a real mess of things.
PMCA MEMBER
We are trying to establish a new colony and plan to put pine straw in our newly installed T-14. Can anyone tell me if I should put the pine straw in all of the apartments, or just some? Also, should I break up the needles a bit, or leave them long?
We have done everything we can think of to try to attract martins this year. We have removed trees that were not terribly big but were near the house, replaced our old martin house that could not be easily lowered with the newly built T-14, bought dawn song, daytime chatter, and decoys. I even bought a few mirrors to put in some apartments to make them look occupied.
Last year we had 2 couples that stayed for a while and we thought we were going to finally get some martins. After 2 weeks one couple left, then a week later other the others left.
We have done everything we can think of to try to attract martins this year. We have removed trees that were not terribly big but were near the house, replaced our old martin house that could not be easily lowered with the newly built T-14, bought dawn song, daytime chatter, and decoys. I even bought a few mirrors to put in some apartments to make them look occupied.
Last year we had 2 couples that stayed for a while and we thought we were going to finally get some martins. After 2 weeks one couple left, then a week later other the others left.
2016 - 4 Pairs with 16 fledged
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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
Its unusual for two pair to leave after they spent the night there. Do you still have some nearby trees, or how near to trees is the housing? Do you have a hawk or owl scaring them away? Do you have deep compartments so that the martins are somewhat protected from owls? Do you have a predator guard to stop the snakes?
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Craig,
Thanks for the suggestions. I will fill all apartments.
Emil,
There were some trees close by that were taller than the martin house, but we recently removed them.
As far as predators, it is always possible something scared them away. I had a Cooper's Hawk that was hanging out in my yard a few months ago, and I would chased him off every time I saw him. I have not seen him for several weeks.
The new house has 11 inch deep compartments and will have a predator guard.
Thanks for the suggestions. I will fill all apartments.
Emil,
There were some trees close by that were taller than the martin house, but we recently removed them.
As far as predators, it is always possible something scared them away. I had a Cooper's Hawk that was hanging out in my yard a few months ago, and I would chased him off every time I saw him. I have not seen him for several weeks.
The new house has 11 inch deep compartments and will have a predator guard.
2016 - 4 Pairs with 16 fledged