Want to have a 'Super Colony'?

[Robert Richerson]

To have a 'super colony' is more than having a hundred cavities or more and hope they get filled. I can personally vouch for that as I have had up to and/over 150 pair and have my numbers diminish by inattention. Why? Well, without any scientific evidence to support my claims, I am 100% confident the reason is primarily HOSP infestation, along with some starling issues although I am 100% SREH, and accipiter hawk issues.

First off, to achieve any size colony, your housing must be inviting. Gourds in my area are the only way to go, and large natural gourds, Supergourds or Troyer Gourds are the only way I will go. And as of this year, I am discontinuing my natural gourds just because of maintenance issues.

HOSP's should require no explanation. Either trap these rodents or shoot them. If your colony is unattended, these guys rack havoc.

Severe starling infestations are a problem. Are SREH's 100%? No. But with them, they are more easier to control. But unmonitored, starlings will find a way in. It takes a good pellet gun, or something more powerful.

To me, and it may actually be an higher priority than HOSP control, is hawk control. I won't get into my methods which is quick and final. But using decoys, noise, being around your colony at day break and at dusk will help. I finally gave up and just cut down the two tall trees hawks used to ambush my colony. Best decision I ever made.

Do you have the stomach to produce a 'super colony'? Believe me, it takes some ruthlessness to do so.

My issues of my super colony decaying will be fixed this year. I am in the best health I have been in years. I plan on being very active, unlike the last few years when I was unable. I am lowering my gourd count to approx 124. That will be easier for me to handle.

[Kyler]

Robert,
Thanks for explaining that! I really want to have a super colony. I have heard from my people that they are so much work. But I still think I could manage it. I don't have that much room. I have 3 Trios and 16 modified gourds which equals 34 compartments at my home. I barely have enough room for that many.

My colony is small right now with only 5 pair according to last year. That was my first year in my new location. So I'm hopping I can fill all these up and maybe add another one. I just talked to a guy up in Benkleman Nebraska that had about 160 cavities and had about 95% occupancy then he said he had to down size because it was so much work. So now he is down to about 85 to 90 pair.

When I get a little older and move out I will probably have a Super Colony some where that is what I am hoping anyways. My colony now is all SREH and have no problems with starlings. But it is the sparrows. We didn't allow any sparrows to raise any babies in my houses. So that means we got rid of them. We killed about 45 to 50 sparrows last year. And this year is at 1 sparrow so far lol.

Also I'm starting a colony at my local Golf Course so that might get some more people. Helpfully. But anyways thanks again for explaining about a Super Colony I was waiting for one of these posts!!

Kyler,

[Robert Richerson]

When I get a little older and move out I will probably have a Super Colony some where that is what I am hoping anyways.

Kyler,

Oh my God, I love you! I'm 57, and can't do the things I once could. But to hear a young person interested in purple martins in this day and age is wonderful! My kids, which are in their 30's, think I am nuts.

Let's make 'Purple Martin Colonies Great again'!

[Kyler]

Robert,
yes I'm 16 years old and I started in 2013 so that means I was 12. My grandpa started me and now I'm trying to get more people to get started!! I really like your colony set up! All the martins in my town are in Houses so I'm now trying Gourds this year. We will see what happens!! Good luck!

Kyler,

[Robert Richerson]

Robert,
yes I'm 16 years old and I started in 2013 so that means I was 12. My grandpa started me and now I'm trying to get more people to get started!! I really like your colony set up! All the martins in my town are in Houses so I'm now trying Gourds this year. We will see what happens!! Good luck!

Kyler,

I wish you well. If you are in an area that has martins, and willing to put in the effort and resources, and resources will come with age and income, you will have that super colony.

[tjm80]

When I get a little older and move out I will probably have a Super Colony some where that is what I am hoping anyways.

Kyler,

Oh my God, I love you! I'm 57, and can't do the things I once could. But to hear a young person interested in purple martins in this day and age is wonderful! My kids, which are in their 30's, think I am nuts.

Let's make 'Purple Martin Colonies Great again'!

For what it's worth I'm 32 and my wife thinks I'm nuts.

[tonyg]

Robert you have a nice setup! I've had a super colony for the several years now and yes it's alot of work. I'm 62 and retired now, so hoping to keep a better eye on my colony. I'm still old school as I am 80% round hole.. I don't have the starling pressure that most have, usually before the Martin's arrive I shoot a few with my 20ga, but don't see any during nesting. Sparrows are the biggest problem but I manage them well also with trapping and shooting..The way I see it is, if you can manage your site carefully, and don't have starling issues, then round holes are still acceptable in a Martin Colony...Steve Kroenke has had round holes his whole Martin career and does well with his Super Super Colony..But yes SREH is definitely the way to go if starlings are a big problem..I'm glad you are back to being active with your colony again..These birds definitely need our undivided attention!!

[Chris B]

My colony has been growing each year. This year I have no more 2" round hole natural gourds, and only one rack of 8 large natural gourds with S&K porches (crescent) and cleanout hole. Those are by far the most popular gourds. Despite having a bunch of HOSPs around recently they are not an issue, yet. Starlings however are, even though they cannot figure out how to get into the crescent holes. There will be a few perched on the "goodest" rack and when they are they "own" the rack, so the smaller PMs won't light. If I shoot the Starlings, a PM scout will show up. He hasn't started singing yet though.

Killing off the Starlings that are interested in the rack is the key at this early stage in the season IMO. And OBTW, the guy who got me into this is still using 2" holes (I gave him a bunch this year), and he has Starlings going into his gourds right now. He will be shooting them. They are trouble.

[DornCounty]

well if you are killing Hawks in any manner I would suggest you get completely out of the martin business.

[Robert Richerson]

Robert you have a nice setup! I've had a super colony for the several years now and yes it's alot of work. I'm 62 and retired now, so hoping to keep a better eye on my colony. I'm still old school as I am 80% round hole.. I don't have the starling pressure that most have, usually before the Martin's arrive I shoot a few with my 20ga, but don't see any during nesting. Sparrows are the biggest problem but I manage them well also with trapping and shooting..!

I absolutely agree with you with round holes, as long as you are there monitoring and able to diffuse any starlings. Round holes built my colony. But then, I am now unable to monitor my colony as I once did. My only complaint with SREH's with an established colony, is that they are not 100%. Evidently, some starlings are smaller than others and can still infiltrate SREH's. Then again, 'may be' this is more of just seeing the relentless nature of starlings and them not actually able to access the gourds.

This year, if nothing else, I plan on observing and determining the effectiveness of SREH's in Central Kentucky.

well if you are killing Hawks in any manner I would suggest you get completely out of the martin business.

I am in no business. My hobby is to pursue and enjoy the interests and preservation of Purple Martins. I will defend it against all enemies. You have a problem with that, maybe you are on the wrong forum.

People should investigate and determine the motives of some forum participants. This guy seems to be a lobbyist of Trio Houses. I am sure these units can safely house some martins, but their expense is very poor in actual reproductive results. Money per cavity success is way in favor of individual gourds. And if you are going that route, go with the best and then there is not one question if you made the right decision.

Let me put it this way. I have a neighbor within a mile or so that has a colony that is actually older than mine. He is 100% gourds. I admit, I have never spoke with the guy, but just driving by his colony demonstrates he has a successful colony. His gourds are on racks tighter and closer to human housing that I would prefer, but he seems to have a great colony.

I also have had three neighbors within the same distance that put up cheap, plastic housings that you can buy at Tractor Supply. My next door neighbor put up one. They are all down now as they could not compete with good, roomy gourds.

[Robert Richerson]

Hey, a plastic, store bought martin house looks great. That doesn't mean martins will like it. To start out you can put up an inexpensive pole with 4-6 decent gourds. That is my suggestion. Make sure your gourds are top notch and the rest will fall into place. Even if you only have a pair or two martins each year, you will awake to their great morning chirping. I know. I started with such a system once I got rid of my horrible martin house.

And if you can monitor them almost all day long, go with round holes the first couple of years. Once you have an established colony, definitely go with SREH's.

On this forum, although I have been away a few years, I want to keep it simple. There are so many issues that can and will take place in a colony. I am very confident I have 'almost' dealt' with all of them in my lifetime. But these are the basics to get you started. Once you get an established colony you can finally learn that things like liquid Sevin and not Sevin dust is a nescessity. Oh no! I didn't go there!

[DornCounty]

Robert you have a nice setup! I've had a super colony for the several years now and yes it's alot of work. I'm 62 and retired now, so hoping to keep a better eye on my colony. I'm still old school as I am 80% round hole.. I don't have the starling pressure that most have, usually before the Martin's arrive I shoot a few with my 20ga, but don't see any during nesting. Sparrows are the biggest problem but I manage them well also with trapping and shooting..!

I absolutely agree with you with round holes, as long as you are there monitoring and able to diffuse any starlings. Round holes built my colony. But then, I am now unable to monitor my colony as I once did. My only complaint with SREH's with an established colony, is that they are not 100%. Evidently, some starlings are smaller than others and can still infiltrate SREH's. Then again, 'may be' this is more of just seeing the relentless nature of starlings and them not actually able to access the gourds.

This year, if nothing else, I plan on observing and determining the effectiveness of SREH's in Central Kentucky.

well if you are killing Hawks in any manner I would suggest you get completely out of the martin business.

I am in no business. My hobby is to pursue and enjoy the interests and preservation of Purple Martins. I will defend it against all enemies. You have a problem with that, maybe you are on the wrong forum.

People should investigate and determine the motives of some forum participants. This guy seems to be a lobbyist of Trio Houses. I am sure these units can safely house some martins, but their expense is very poor in actual reproductive results. Money per cavity success is way in favor of individual gourds. And if you are going that route, go with the best and then there is not one question if you made the right decision.

Let me put it this way. I have a neighbor within a mile or so that has a colony that is actually older than mine. He is 100% gourds. I admit, I have never spoke with the guy, but just driving by his colony demonstrates he has a successful colony. His gourds are on racks tighter and closer to human housing that I would prefer, but he seems to have a great colony.

I also have had three neighbors within the same distance that put up cheap, plastic housings that you can buy at Tractor Supply. My next door neighbor put up one. They are all down now as they could not compete with good, roomy gourds.

I am quickly seeing why the mild manner Louise booted you last time. It is a violation of several federal laws to harm hawks. If you are taking your hobby to the that extreme it is time to step away.

[eyeamtheman]

"mild mannered" Louise?
She's always grouchy to me, but I'm used to it !!

[Craig Dyer]

Beautiful and impressive colony Robert. House sparrows are my issue. I trap and shoot dozens every year. I won't pass judgement on hawk control other than to say I would never harm one of those magnificent birds...I just couldn't do it.

To anyone considering a super colony beware of another sometimes overlooked unintended consequence. A super colony, or even a small modest colony like mine, will generate a lot of bird droppings. Unless you have a large piece of property with neighbors at a good distance, beware of the mess your colony may create for your neighbor's automobiles, swimming pools, and outdoor patios.