I think I would try the wing guard (WEP) on your Excluder II gourds. If the martins have learned to enter the excluder II ,I don't think the raised porch and slick floor will stop them but I believe it will stop the starlings. The wing guard will not make the excluder II any more restrictive for your martins but it will for the starlings.
Lewis
Starlings killed 4 adult males
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marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
We were given an 18 gourd rack in the spring of 2014. They were Troyer gourds with conley II entrances. As far as I know, no starling has ever gotten in.( It was funny to watch them try. Two or three would go to different gourds and each be trying. There last try always included a little run. 
) When I got excluder, conley II, and excluder II plates, I cut them down to where I didn't quit cut into the entrance but just below it. That way they were basically flush with the porch. I did the same on the crescent entrances I cut from our old martin house then put them on my T-14. I haven't noticed any starlings breaching any of these. (Maybe partly because they all visit my s and s controller first?)
Marcus
) When I got excluder, conley II, and excluder II plates, I cut them down to where I didn't quit cut into the entrance but just below it. That way they were basically flush with the porch. I did the same on the crescent entrances I cut from our old martin house then put them on my T-14. I haven't noticed any starlings breaching any of these. (Maybe partly because they all visit my s and s controller first?)Marcus
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Glynn B - LA
- Posts: 320
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2012 3:59 pm
- Location: Louisiana West Monroe
I've been reading about martins on this forum since 2011. To this day, I don't know why there isn't more infuses on the use of a S&S controller. I don't have a starling problem because I own one. The best $300 pieces of mind ever. When a starling swings in for a visit at my site they can't resist that big ole round hole. It's instant death for them. The very best thing is that it catches them without me even having to worry about other species being harmed. On my wire catch cage, I cut out a small square and covered it with a thin stainless steel plate with a 1 3/8 round hole. This hole allows bluebirds and other non aggressives that might be caught to simply fly out.Yes a sparrow can get out. I don't have a big sparrow problem. If one does, just duct tape the hole up until it's dealt with. You want catch many sparrows in the controller anyway but you will catch every starling that visits your site if you have SREH entrances. If you have a starling population in your area, do your mind a favor and purchase one. You will never ever have to worry about a starling.
Glynn
Glynn
2019 26 pair 116 fledged
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
2018 20 pair 76 fledged
2017 19 pair 82 fledged
2016 13 pair 48 fledged
2015 3 pair 13 fledged
2014 1 pair 4 fledged
2013 2 pair 6 fledged
2012 0 pair
2011 0 pair
I don’t have the perfect site. One open flyway with trees within 80 ft. I do have a small pond they utilize during the heat of Summer. (2017) HEAVY HAWK PREDATION
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skw158
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2016 7:14 am
- Location: South Ottawa, IL
- Martin Colony History: I started as a landlord three years ago, but grew up in a family that always treasured purple martins for decades. I live in North Central Illinois where I can enjoy their company from April through August.
I'm so sorry for you and your beautiful birds; but I'm sure they will return. I'm having a problem with house sparrows - I literally have to empty the nests every day. I purchased a Goliad LoneStar house with the SREH and so far the starlings haven't approached it or shown interest?
Goliad Lone Star 8 room, crescent
2015: (My First Year) 2 Females, 5 eggs, 4 fledglings (1 did not hatch) (Arrived Late)
2016. 2 Females, 6 eggs, 4 fledglings ( 2 did not hatch)
2017. 3 Females, 12 eggs, 11 fledglings. (1 fledgling died, unknown reasons, looked otherwise healthy)
PMCA Member.
2015: (My First Year) 2 Females, 5 eggs, 4 fledglings (1 did not hatch) (Arrived Late)
2016. 2 Females, 6 eggs, 4 fledglings ( 2 did not hatch)
2017. 3 Females, 12 eggs, 11 fledglings. (1 fledgling died, unknown reasons, looked otherwise healthy)
PMCA Member.
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marcus
- Posts: 314
- Joined: Tue May 10, 2016 10:21 pm
- Location: Fairland OK
- Martin Colony History: Mom n Dad had a plastic 12 unit martin house with some martins as long as I can remember. In 2013 they had 1 pair. I don't think they fledged any. I then started learning how to take care of martins and in 2014 we took that house down and put up a Troyer 18 gourd rack. We had 7 pair with 28 fledged.That summer I built a T-14 (I was only 12). I was also given 4 natural gourds that I hung beneath the T-14. In 2015, we had 23 pair although only 22 pair fledged young. They fledged 88 young. In 2016, we had 36 pair, 210 eggs, 163 hatched, 149 fledge!! One pair fledged 2 broods. In 2017, I had 36 pair with 35 fledging young. They laid 204 eggs, hatched 155, and fledged 152.
Glynn,
I totally agree with you on the S and S controller. They work so well. I don't have a hole for smaller birds to escape. I caught 55 starlings and 9 sparrows in about a years time. I have only caught 1 native bird. It was a male bluebird. I definitely recommend it to any one, since you never have to worry about any bait.
-Marcus
I totally agree with you on the S and S controller. They work so well. I don't have a hole for smaller birds to escape. I caught 55 starlings and 9 sparrows in about a years time. I have only caught 1 native bird. It was a male bluebird. I definitely recommend it to any one, since you never have to worry about any bait.
-Marcus
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Okie
- Posts: 541
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
- Location: Claremore, OK
- Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows
Get a sparrow trap and be more active in eliminating the sparrows not their nestsskw158 I'm having a problem with house sparrows - I literally have to empty the nests every day.
Read on this forum about House Sparrow RevengeSparrows & Starlings are a dangerous threat to your colony. The only way is to eliminate them. It is an important part of being a responsible landlord. Many very good traps available. Check out the Shop on this site.
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged