Some pics from last year

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gsimpson
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:50 pm
Location: Edwards, IL

Sitting here waiting for the snow to melt, I thought I'd try to upload some pictures from last year.
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Our ASY male out enjoying the full moon
Our ASY male out enjoying the full moon
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Our housing with some visitors
Our housing with some visitors
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For you deer lovers...you never know who is watching you eat your dinner
For you deer lovers...you never know who is watching you eat your dinner
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If you really want to do something, you'll find a way...If you don't, you'll find an excuse.

'09 2 pair 6 fledged
'10 3 pair 14 fledged
'11 8 pair 35 fledged
'12 16 pair 65 fledged
'13 17 pair 69 fledged
CraigMo.
Posts: 1480
Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
Martin Colony History: Active since 2003

NIce pics
Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

I like your perch above the Natureline rack do you have a closeup on it or can you tell me what you used for it. They seem to like it.

Looks like it provides some nice xtra perching for them. I have the same rack as well.

Doug
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
gsimpson
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2008 1:50 pm
Location: Edwards, IL

Doug,

I made the perches myself using 3 3/16" straight rods, a piece of thread rod (1/4 " I think) and some washers and nuts. Bend the straight rods at about a 45 degree angle and spot weld them to one of the large washers. Spot weld the other washer on top. Kinda tricky.

There is actually 2 extra perches on our pole...one on top and one that drops down off the bottom gourd arms. The pole fits between 2 of the perches and will slide up and down OK. I used the same thread rod and wshers/nut to secure it. Simply replace the bolts/nuts on the pole with the thread rod. Watch your head when lowering, as the perch will be in the way when the rack comes down.

Hopefully this helps.
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Replace top bolt with thread rod, washer and nut (top and bottom).
Replace top bolt with thread rod, washer and nut (top and bottom).
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Underneath of bottom guord arm showing drop down perch
Underneath of bottom guord arm showing drop down perch
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Close up of large washer with rods welded
Close up of large washer with rods welded
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Top perch attached to pulley assembly
Top perch attached to pulley assembly
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Fully assembled perch after welded
Fully assembled perch after welded
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Shows top and bottom perches
Shows top and bottom perches
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This guy liked the perch, too
This guy liked the perch, too
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Top perch on pulley assembly
Top perch on pulley assembly
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If you really want to do something, you'll find a way...If you don't, you'll find an excuse.

'09 2 pair 6 fledged
'10 3 pair 14 fledged
'11 8 pair 35 fledged
'12 16 pair 65 fledged
'13 17 pair 69 fledged
Doug Martin - PA
Posts: 1988
Joined: Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:47 am
Location: Pennsylvania/Fombell
Martin Colony History: First pair in 2009 after 28 years of trying. 3 pairs 2010, 17 pairs 2011 and 35-45 pairs since. Many additional colonies are now springing up around mine in an area once completely void of Martins. I offer 50 compartments at my site consisting of primarily Excluder II gourds on Gemini racks. Also a wooden T-14. I utilize electric fence type predator guards on the base of the poles. Supplemental feeding is crucial in maintaining my colony. I platform feed throughout the season as needed. My site tends to be a stop over point for additional birds as they migrate further north.

Nicely done. Great pictures too.

Thanks.

Our 3 ft of snow is starting to melt. Can't wait for spring this year.
Supplemental feeding plays a major role in Western Pennsylvania. Finally got my 1st pair in 2009 after 28 years of effort. The colony has grown quickly to 45 pairs that I care for. Many new colonies have now sprung up around me in the past few years as well. Where there was none.... there is many.
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