Good Afternoon Everyone!
Hope you are all having a good start to the Martin Season. I have not posted lately but need some advice now. I have 3 AAA gourd racks on the western shore of Mobile Bay. There are 48 natural and artificial gourds. I have lots of birds this year, as usual and they are about to start nest building. My problem is I have a pair of Bluebirds wanting to nest in one of the gourds. What are the possible problems? Should I let them nest with my Martins? They are chasing each other around now but really all the birds are chasing each other trying to find the best gourd. The Bluebirds like the one gourd I have that is a trap gourd with a round hole. All the other gourds are Starling resistant. I could just take this gourd down. I do have a Bluebird box nearby but they want the gourd. Any advice???
Thanks, Jerry
Martins and Blue Birds
So I'm no expert but I have seen this posted. I believe this applies to people trying to start a colony versus an established colony. However I think it has some information that applies.
https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... cy-377.pdf
Someone else will post with a better answer.
https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... cy-377.pdf
Someone else will post with a better answer.
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Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Hey Jerry, The above post is good advice, except that you allready have martins in residence. I would take that "trap gourd" down and put it on a shepards hook, about 5 feet off the ground. If the Bluebirds accept it at that height, you can slowly move the gourd a few feet a day, away from the gourd rack. Stop the moving once you have reached about 30 feet from the rack. I have read that this has worked for other people. Wished I had a Bluebird problem as they are not common in my area.
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
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Ladybug
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Indiana/ Jamestown
- Martin Colony History: 2005-2019. Lots lookers, 2 successful nesting's.
2010-1 pair nested, 4 eggs destroyed(Wren).
2012- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged
2019- 1 pair nested, 4 eggs, 4 fledged.
2021- 10 pair, 40 babies fledged.
2022- 17 pair, 10 eggs not hatched= appxy. 57 fledged.
I had 1 pair of Tree Swallows that built in my Martin
gourd a few years ago, then just kept mowing gourd daily farther away from main rack. It worked.
Bluebirds, guess just have to try, see if it works.
Some birds are more aggressive than others.
Good Luck.
gourd a few years ago, then just kept mowing gourd daily farther away from main rack. It worked.
Bluebirds, guess just have to try, see if it works.
Some birds are more aggressive than others.
Good Luck.
Joanne
Thank ya'll for the advice. I'm going to take the gourd down tomorrow and put it on a shepard's hook nearby, as you recommended. I think this will work. My colony is well established. Funny watching the 2 Blue Birds trying to fend off about 100 Martins all day. I think they might give up but I don't want to take the chance. I have a Blue Bird box close by for them but lots of cats around made them move to the Gourd Rack.
Thanks Again!
Thanks Again!