Now this Spring I’m watching Starlings enter through the Conley II with nesting materials without any resistance!!! What the heck is going on? Are they getting smarter?? Anyone else experiencing this and what can be done about this problem? I’m in Upstate NY and still waiting for Martins.Starlings- What’s the deal?
I have a Troyer Poly T14 house setup with Conley II SREH openings. The first 2 Springs of the housing I’ve sat and enjoyed watching the Starlings try to no avail to enter my units. I’ve heckled and mocked them as they continually tried til they got tired and moved on. Now this Spring I’m watching Starlings enter through the Conley II with nesting materials without any resistance!!! What the heck is going on? Are they getting smarter?? Anyone else experiencing this and what can be done about this problem? I’m in Upstate NY and still waiting for Martins.
Now this Spring I’m watching Starlings enter through the Conley II with nesting materials without any resistance!!! What the heck is going on? Are they getting smarter?? Anyone else experiencing this and what can be done about this problem? I’m in Upstate NY and still waiting for Martins.-
Phil01
- Posts: 346
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2020 6:42 pm
- Location: Fernandina Beach FL
- Martin Colony History: 52 Cavities offered.
24 unit gourd rack with Troyer Horizontal and Vertical Gourds. K-18 gourd rack all Troyer Horizontal Gourds. Sunset Inn aluminum house with 4 Troyer Horizontal Gourds.
2020- 1 pair, 4 eggs, fledged 3
2021- 3 pair, 15 eggs, fledged 8
2022- 5 pair, 26 eggs, fledged 21
2023- 10 pair, 53 eggs, fledged 27
2024- 26 pair, 125 eggs, fledged 83
2025- 32 pair, 182 eggs, fledged 134
2026- Added a Troyer K-18 all Troyer Horizontal.
PMCA Member
Maybe smaller starlings? Conley entrances are starling resistant, not starling proof. From what I understand smaller starlings can get in. I’ve heard some people say they use the starling stoppers which are available on this sites marketplace and that has helped. They go on the outside of the entrance. From what I understand to make them more effective you have to raise the height of the porch so it is even with the dimple in the middle of the Conley entrance but not to cover it up.
I’m sure more will chime in who have used the starling stoppers, this is just what I have read on here..
Good luck!
Phil
I’m sure more will chime in who have used the starling stoppers, this is just what I have read on here..
Good luck!
Phil
PMCA member
Fernandina Beach, FL
Fernandina Beach, FL
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Conrad Baker
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Fri Jan 12, 2007 7:43 pm
- Location: Paulina, Louisiana
I've seen it too. Early in the season it seems some of the starlings (the younger ones) haven't fully grown, so they're a bit smaller. They are able to get into the SREH, but have to work at it.
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
Agree with the above. Smaller than normal starlings, can breach SREH. I always make sure to shoot and kill any starlings that are small enough to breach. If they breed and produce a bunch of starlings with genes for being a little smaller than normal, then you have a real problem on your hands.. get that scope zeroed in and good luck!
Rob
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Had a breach in a crescent this year. The starling stoppers i had on it were the thinner version PMCA sells, quickly swapped them out for the thicker starling stoppers Mr Barrow let me have similar to the ones Brent uses. The female starling was able to breach still, she was smaller...Male could not. They are no longer alive.
Going to swap out all my WEPS for the thicker version.
The starlings iv caught in nest box traps do look smaller, compared to the ones I shot over winter they just seem smaller. Body is not as thick through the chest.
Going to swap out all my WEPS for the thicker version.
The starlings iv caught in nest box traps do look smaller, compared to the ones I shot over winter they just seem smaller. Body is not as thick through the chest.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23