Hay for nesting?
Today in Cleburne, Texas I have my first 2 for the season. I read some place that it was a good idea to have some hay in the boxes when they arrived so I put some in my boxes this year. It sure looks like sparrow nests now! Should I take the hay out? Thanks
Last edited by alexm on Mon Feb 29, 2016 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I gathjered up some pine straw and after putting a little seven dust in the gourd put in about a 1" layer of the straw. they can keep it or toss it out I suppose but at least they have something to start with and are not directly on the seven.
Probably don't need the seven on the SREH porch gourds but I had starlings going into my round hole gourds the day I put them up. I think they are where the mites come from, but HOSP may also have them like the little rats they are.
Probably don't need the seven on the SREH porch gourds but I had starlings going into my round hole gourds the day I put them up. I think they are where the mites come from, but HOSP may also have them like the little rats they are.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
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Sharon - Central TX
- Posts: 696
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
We've always used cedar shavings. The martins seem to like it and most leave it in until they start nest building. At that time some knock it out while others leave it and mix with leaves. It is funny to see how a bunch of it suddenly appears on the ground around that time, a sure sign nest building has started.
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Jose Rodriguez
- Posts: 692
- Joined: Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:34 am
- Location: FL/Belleview
They love the straw that is used for bedding. I threw on the ground some straw and pine needles. They used both! Good luck!
PMCA Member
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
"Keep Calm and It Will Happen"
I can't find pine straw here in southern Manitoba. I really didn't like using cedar or ash shavings (too wet), but have had good luck using Orchard Grass. Smells really nice, clean and dry. Some Martins throw it all out, most don't.
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CraigMo.
- Posts: 1480
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 12:30 pm
- Location: Missouri/Lone Jack
- Martin Colony History: Active since 2003
Alex I have heard on this forum if the hay gets wet it takes a long time to dry which would not be good for the pms to stay warm and dry. I use white pine needles myself and they work great. You might call around to any local park around you and ask the park ranger if he knows where there are some white pine trees. I go to my local park and it is very easy to rake them up.