Tree Swallow gourds

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Mark Scott
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:21 pm
Location: Central Virginia
Martin Colony History: 2018 - Had 44 pairs and put out 100+ babies. 3-Super System 24’s. 2019 - Had 48 pairs

I have heard both ways, is it best to point tree swallow gourd towards the Purple Martin rack or opposite. I've heard it's best to point towards to protect your rack from other tree swallows and opposite so trees won't see your investigating martins. What do the experts say? Had one pair that raised 2 last year and as many as 10 visitors.
2018 - 44 pairs, produced 100+ babies. Using 3 Super System 24’s.
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Mhoover
Posts: 213
Joined: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 am
Location: Indiana/Monticello - White County
Martin Colony History: Started with 2 pair in 2014 - 7 eggs -7 fledged

I have my TS gourds pointed in another direction than at the martin racks but I do not think that it makes much difference as long as the TS gourds are not any closer than fifty to sixty feet away from the martin racks. The TS still tried to run off the martins when they first checked out the racks until an ASY male drove the TS away. There has been no conflicts between them since that I have seen.
2017-5 pair
2016-4 pair- 18 hatched-18 fledged
2015-1 pair -Both ASY- 6 eggs-5 fledged
2014-2 pair- 1 ASY-M/SY-F-1 ASY pair - 7 eggs-7 fledged

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zag
Posts: 63
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2013 9:08 am
Location: MI

Tree Swallow nest boxes, or Gourds, the opening should always be pointing towards the EAST. I've done my research/homework, that's what they prefer... I'm going on my 3rd year now, have a good one...
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