I have 2 New Troyer Horizontal gourds this year, do nests get wet during heavy rainy days?
Martin's are nesting in 1 Troyer.
Thanks.
Troyer H. Gourds.
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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.
Joanne
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
LadyBug,
It all depends on how you hang them. If there is a gap between the hanger within the mounting holes of the gourd it is possible for water to leak in. I use the same gourds and have not yet had any wetness problems as my mounts fit very snugly into the holes of the gourds. I also try to incorporate a low point so the water will wick away from the mount rather than wick into the mount.
As for a rain entering the entrance of the gourd. A little will get in if the wind is favorable in that direction but the water will wick down the inside of the gourd and out of the drain holes. This is why using pine needles is good because they don't soak up water thats under neath them as readily as other materials.
Heres how I mounted my Troyers.
Coolwhips
It all depends on how you hang them. If there is a gap between the hanger within the mounting holes of the gourd it is possible for water to leak in. I use the same gourds and have not yet had any wetness problems as my mounts fit very snugly into the holes of the gourds. I also try to incorporate a low point so the water will wick away from the mount rather than wick into the mount.
As for a rain entering the entrance of the gourd. A little will get in if the wind is favorable in that direction but the water will wick down the inside of the gourd and out of the drain holes. This is why using pine needles is good because they don't soak up water thats under neath them as readily as other materials.
Heres how I mounted my Troyers.
Coolwhips
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2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
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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.
Whippy,
I use only pine needles, 1 gourd just slightly tilts
forward, 1 is level, both secure.
They will be OK. Thanks.
I use only pine needles, 1 gourd just slightly tilts
forward, 1 is level, both secure.
They will be OK. Thanks.
Joanne
I changed over to these gourds over the last 5 years, 82 gourds in all.
In my experience they are the best gourds you can offer. What Whippy said is true, there may be a small amount of water come in the entrance in a wind blown rain but it will drain quickly and not damage the nest.
But they offer safety from Hawks and owls. Because of the larger cavities this year we had 2 gourds successfully raise 7 Fledglings and many others had 6 fledge.
Mites are very easy to see on the white background and will usually be visble when you unscrew the viewing cap. I like the size of the porches when the Fledglings are just learning to take off and land.
Our fledgling numbers have really increased since changing over to the Horizontal Gourds.
In my experience they are the best gourds you can offer. What Whippy said is true, there may be a small amount of water come in the entrance in a wind blown rain but it will drain quickly and not damage the nest.
But they offer safety from Hawks and owls. Because of the larger cavities this year we had 2 gourds successfully raise 7 Fledglings and many others had 6 fledge.
Mites are very easy to see on the white background and will usually be visble when you unscrew the viewing cap. I like the size of the porches when the Fledglings are just learning to take off and land.
Our fledgling numbers have really increased since changing over to the Horizontal Gourds.
Colony started in 2002
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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TheSmiths
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 1:02 pm
- Location: Western KY
- Martin Colony History: •
•
Tried to attract PMs 2004; began more earnest attempt in 2014.
Current home site consisting of 2 modified Trio M12Ks, 4 ChirpyNests, and assorted artificial gourds, all enclosed in owl/hawk cages.
2018 — 3 pairs
2019 — 6 pairs
2020 — 12 pairs; barred owls late in season
2021 — 17 pairs; enclosed housing
2022 – 14 pairs
2023 – 18 pairs
2024 – 18 pairs
2025 – 24 pairs
2026 –
Manage FILs colony & public park colony. Attempting to start a colony at a wildlife refuge.
~20 years of providing housing for cavity nesting birds including Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, House Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Great-Crested Flycatchers, Northern Flickers, & Prothonotary Warblers.
We had problems with Troyer horizontal gourds leaking around the hanging hole even though they were hung on Troyer hanging arms and fit tightly. I purchased PMCA "leak guards" and sealed them with Lexel but they stilled leaked. (I found out later Lexel does not adhere properly to the kind of plastic the gourds are made from). Prior to the beginning of this season I purchased the "Four-piece Gourd-life Enhancement Kit" and installed them and they've kept things dry thus far.
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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.
Thanks everyone for all your Advice. Much appreciated. I have several large round factory gourds but the Martin's DEFINITELY Prefer the Troyer Horizontal Gourds. I like them best too.
THANKS .
THANKS .
Joanne
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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.
Ladybug,
I hope this topic helps with your questions about wet, leaking Troyer Horizontal Gourds.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34828
I hope this topic helps with your questions about wet, leaking Troyer Horizontal Gourds.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=34828
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.