Nest box traps going up!
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
I put nestbox traps on one of my gourd rack to keep starling count down at my site! This is last years picture! None of my other poles are up just the nestbox trap pole! Wish me luck!
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Sharon from southern Illinois
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Ed Svetich-WI
- Posts: 815
- Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 10:05 pm
- Location: Brooks, Wi (McGinnis Lake)
- Martin Colony History: 24 Super and Excluder Gourds on two gourd racks, all SREH. Full occupancy. My philosophy is to maximize fledge % with existing cavities rather than adding gourds to grow colony, thus providing opportunities for new colony expansion. Fledge over 100 nestlings yearly from 24 gourds. Band nestlings in cooperation with state university. 2019 Adendum: Reduced colony size to 12 gourds to focus on more intensive management regimen.
Why not just use SREH and eliminate 99% of the Starling threat? There may be an occasional smaller starling but I have never had a starling breach either crescents or modified excluders. They try every year and quickly leave in frustration.SREH plates are easily added to any round entries.
Good luck this year.
Ed
Good luck this year.
Ed
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 3795
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
I was going to say the same thing. I am in Indiana and assuming your starling numbers are similar. We probably see 1000 starlings for every one sparrow. It is not uncommon this time of year to see flocks of thousands of starlings, and they are all over in the spring and summer. I have trapped sparrows for years and you can keep their numbers somewhat under control as they have a pretty limited home range. Starlings on the other hand, in our area, could probably never be kept under control trapping a few at a time. I would put on SREH and then only worry about the sparrows. Good news is in the northern range the starlings are usually a little fatter holding weight to get through the winter. I have never seen a starling breach my SREH in close to 15 years.
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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-=DKC=-
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2017 2:26 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
- Martin Colony History: ................
2019: 11 pairs
2018: 11 pairs - 43 fledged
2017: 4 pairs - 17 fledged
What are SREH?dbutz wrote:What is a SREH ????
SREH stands for Starling-Resistant Entrance Holes. These are entrances that will help prevent the non-native European Starlings from nesting in Purple Martin housing while still allowing the martins to enter. There are different types of starling-resistant entrances, the most popular are the crescent, Excluder, Modified Excluder, Excluder II, and Conley II.
https://www.purplemartin.org/education/24/faq/
Lots of options...
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/62/replacement-doors/
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/63/re ... nt-plates/
https://www.purplemartin.org/shop/93/tu ... or-houses/
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' till you do succeed." - Curly Howard
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
I like using round! I shoot all starlings and sparrows at Martin time that land on my box! I work in my shed all day long and look out the window all the time! When a starling comes it drops to the ground! I take care of them! I like to trap them for something to do! When I get an established colony I’ll change to all SREH. For now I will have some round to offer! Thanks for your concern!Ed Svetich-WI wrote:Why not just use SREH and eliminate 99% of the Starling threat? There may be an occasional smaller starling but I have never had a starling breach either crescents or modified excluders. They try every year and quickly leave in frustration.SREH plates are easily added to any round entries.
Good luck this year.
Ed
Sharon from southern Illinois
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sugarcreek
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:43 am
- Location: Sugarcreek, Ohio
- Martin Colony History: 2016 First Yr.
Hey when are you going to share some more pics with all the trees gone....?
Excited for you.
Excited for you.
16 - 14 Cavities 4 Act. Ne 9 fledged, 2.25 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
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GeneP
- Posts: 525
- Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2007 7:35 am
- Location: Kansas, Lawrence
- Martin Colony History: 1 gourd rack with 24 gourd capacity. 2018, my 11th year hosting martins.
18 pair in 2017.
I think it was Mike Scully who tested all of the SREH and found they all could be breached. That's why they're called Starling Resistant Entry Holes and not Starling Proof. Had two pair breach mine last year.
SREH is a good idea for Purple Martins but does nothing for woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds or any other native cavity nesting bird that starlings kill.
Why not do what you can for all native species. Thanks Sharon.
SREH is a good idea for Purple Martins but does nothing for woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds or any other native cavity nesting bird that starlings kill.
Why not do what you can for all native species. Thanks Sharon.
PMCA Member, Single Gourd Rack, 2019 marks 12 years hosting martins.
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Hi Sugarcreek! I will have some pictures hopefully of martins coming in my big flyway!sugarcreek wrote:Hey when are you going to share some more pics with all the trees gone....?
Excited for you.
I’m very excited too! Thanks and Goodluck!Sharon from southern Illinois
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Gene thank you!! I like being active and love shooting! I keep them at bay for sure! And yes why not get rid of them if I can!GeneP wrote:I think it was Mike Scully who tested all of the SREH and found they all could be breached. That's why they're called Starling Resistant Entry Holes and not Starling Proof. Had two pair breach mine last year.
SREH is a good idea for Purple Martins but does nothing for woodpeckers, chickadees, bluebirds or any other native cavity nesting bird that starlings kill.
Why not do what you can for all native species. Thanks Sharon.
I got the nestbox traps for something to do while I’m working! I watch them go in and go out with my trash bag and one less starling! Lol Everyone should trap or shoot no matter if you have SREH! Come on get your traps set!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Here’s my new flyway Sugarcreek! Oh yeah baby!
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Sharon from southern Illinois
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2445
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
2026 - 41 Pair, 182 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
2026 - 28 Pair. 116 Fledged
Now that is what I call an open Fly Way..... Great view..taxidermy lady wrote:Here’s my new flyway Sugarcreek! Oh yeah baby!
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Dave it’s getting even better everyday! The day draws closer and closer each passing day!!! I’m excited for their return in southern Illinois!Dave Reynolds wrote:Now that is what I call an open Fly Way..... Great view..taxidermy lady wrote:Here’s my new flyway Sugarcreek! Oh yeah baby!
Dave
Goodluck with your season 2018!!! Sharon from southern Illinois
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Dale D
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Tue Jan 30, 2018 10:11 am
- Location: Orlando, Fl
- Martin Colony History: Landlord since 2004
Sharon, with the improvements to your site the only thing you are going to have to decide on in time is just how big of colony you want to grow. Dale 
Orlando, FL Landlord since 2004
Offer 42 Cavities Total
Offer 42 Cavities Total
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sugarcreek
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:43 am
- Location: Sugarcreek, Ohio
- Martin Colony History: 2016 First Yr.
Wow , Thanks for sharing Looks like an airport runway...your gonna have a lot of birds....Good luck this seasontaxidermy lady wrote:Here’s my new flyway Sugarcreek! Oh yeah baby!
16 - 14 Cavities 4 Act. Ne 9 fledged, 2.25 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne
17 - 36 Cavities 18 Act. Ne 65 Fledged, 3.61 Fl. per Act. Ne
18 - 54 Cavities 43 Act. Ne 169 Fledged, 3.93 Fl. per Act. Ne
19 - 108 Cavities 67 Act. Ne 209 Fledged, 3.12 Fl. per Act. Ne
20 - 108 Cavities 72 Act. Ne 243 Fledged, 3.38 Fl. per Act. Ne
21 - 112 Cavities 91 Act. Ne 313 Fledged, 3.44 Fl. per Act. Ne
22 - 114 Cavities 101 Act Ne 355 Fledged, 3.51 Fl. per Act. Ne