At 5:30 today, it was raining pretty hard, when I glanced out at the martin houses. I did not see any martins out in the rain. Then suddenly I saw something that looked strange, something fluttering on the back side of the gourd rack. I think a merlin was trying to reach a martin. It stayed at that gourd for about 10 to 15 seconds. Then it flew right over the window that I was looking at. I didn't see a martin in its claws, nor did I hear anything squealing. Maybe it was a failed attempt.
Now just think about it, if it was a 6x6 room, the merlin probably would have caught itself a meal. However, all of our gourds are fixed so that they are at least 12in deep, distance is from the front of entrance, to the back of the gourd.
Why I like long tunnels
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Guest
Emil I agree , it makes perfect sense ! I put tunnels on all of my Bo 11's this season I just believe it will make a difference ! I hope my martins
Ajust to them? I enjoy your post and have learned so much from you thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with all of us!
Mike
Ajust to them? I enjoy your post and have learned so much from you thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with all of us!
Mike
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Thank you Mike for the kind words, but I am doing it for the martins!
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Emil, I am in the process of making up some natural gourds at the time. almost ready to cut the 3in. tunnels how long do you like your tunnels?
Some will be horizonal and some veridical, all are big gourds. The ones that I fast dried came out good
. Thanks.
Ed
Some will be horizonal and some veridical, all are big gourds. The ones that I fast dried came out good
. Thanks.Ed
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Ed, the length of the tunnels may vary. For instance a 9in gourd may require a tunnel that is 5 to 6in long. But a 11inch gourd may only require a 3in tunnel. The idea is to have the distance from the entrance to the back of the gourd at about 12in to 13 in so that owls and hawks cannot reach the martins.
Mike, I try to make the tunnels fit the hole fairly good, but it doesn't need to fit tightly. I like to use Lexel caulk, its expensive, but it holds better than most other caulks. I put Lexel (out of a tube) on the gourd and on the tunnel so that it bonds real well. Let it sit for a day. Then fill in any cracks with any type of caulk, or even with the more expensive Lexel. Be sure to position the tunnel exactly where you want it. I often brace the tunnel with something so that it doesn't move or sag after I put it out to dry. The tunnels are about 1 to 2in inside the gourd when caulked.
I make my own tunnels from 5/8in cedar fence material, make them 2-3/8in wide, and use a rectangular entrance that is 1.204in above the porch. Starlings have not ever entered those tunnels, so I hope that this continues. The rectangular entrance is a new idea.
Mike, I try to make the tunnels fit the hole fairly good, but it doesn't need to fit tightly. I like to use Lexel caulk, its expensive, but it holds better than most other caulks. I put Lexel (out of a tube) on the gourd and on the tunnel so that it bonds real well. Let it sit for a day. Then fill in any cracks with any type of caulk, or even with the more expensive Lexel. Be sure to position the tunnel exactly where you want it. I often brace the tunnel with something so that it doesn't move or sag after I put it out to dry. The tunnels are about 1 to 2in inside the gourd when caulked.
I make my own tunnels from 5/8in cedar fence material, make them 2-3/8in wide, and use a rectangular entrance that is 1.204in above the porch. Starlings have not ever entered those tunnels, so I hope that this continues. The rectangular entrance is a new idea.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Dennis - AL
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 8:16 am
- Location: Atmore, AL
Emil, I have studied the thoughts on this forum concerning 10"+ natural gourds plus 3" tunnels. I am a firm believer the larger the gourd + tunnel provides the best protection.
Your merlin attempt is just confirmation! Thanks for sharing.
Dennis
Your merlin attempt is just confirmation! Thanks for sharing.
Dennis
Persistence is not necessarily the key to success, but can be likened to the proverbial sand that brings forth a precious pearl.
PMCA Member
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PMCA Member
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jeffwilliams72
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:22 am
- Location: Indiana/Carthage
Emil, I'm pretty sure that adding tunnels to my Big-Bo's last year is why I got 2 pr to finally stay. They might be an attractant as well as added safety.
2008/1st pair/ 4 fledged
2009-2010 visitors only
2011/2 pr/9 eggs/8 fledged
2012/9pr/33 fledged
2013/27pr/101 fledged
2009-2010 visitors only
2011/2 pr/9 eggs/8 fledged
2012/9pr/33 fledged
2013/27pr/101 fledged
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
At our site, martins will not hardly use a gourd unless it has a tunnel and porches. Seems like they like that combination
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps