I have a question. I saw a topic similar to this but we never really received "expert" opinions...
once a ASY male has selected your house, can you disturb them enough to turn them off from your site?
I would imagine the answer is actually yes.... however what about making modifications to the house such as owl guards, adding gourds, cutting double compartments, etc....
i think for a lot of us new landlords there should be a thread of suggestions for the first year, such as modifying the house, typical pairing behavior, being overly active in the site or under active.... I mean don't get me wrong There is A LOT of information out there but i am having trouble finding threads of what to do in the first few weeks of attracting martins....
Can anyone be of help? suggestions, past experiences?
putting up owl protection during nesting
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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
Usually small mods do not cause martins to leave. Do NOT change the orientation of the cavities, leave them so that the martins can find the cavity that they selected, changing the orientation may cause them to leave. Adding gourds will have no effect on them, in fact, they may like it better. I would not make the cavities larger, it may take too long and they may come back, see their house missing, and leave.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Daox13
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2017 2:00 pm
- Location: Richmond VA
- Martin Colony History: 2016 Euro Sparrow struggle
2017 one ASY male nesting... more hopefully to come
what about adding these guards? I'm sorry I'm being super needy but i was so happy to have my first Purple Martin and he had just paired up... i just don't want my insecurities to ruin my chances.Emil Pampell-Tx wrote:Usually small mods do not cause martins to leave. Do NOT change the orientation of the cavities, leave them so that the martins can find the cavity that they selected, changing the orientation may cause them to leave.
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There's the right way, the wrong way and then there's my way...........
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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
Please add about 2 gourds, it may attract more martins. Your house and pole are not strong enough to support more than about 2 gourds, the pole may bend in a thunderstorm if you add too many. I like the owl guards, that may help a lot
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Daox13
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Wed May 03, 2017 2:00 pm
- Location: Richmond VA
- Martin Colony History: 2016 Euro Sparrow struggle
2017 one ASY male nesting... more hopefully to come
yeah I had considered that and I'm glad you said that because I had the same thought. I will only put two up for this season. I am very sad to admit it but I am pretty confident I drove away my ASY male.Emil Pampell-Tx wrote:Please add about 2 gourds, it may attract more martins. Your house and pole are not strong enough to support more than about 2 gourds, the pole may bend in a thunderstorm if you add too many. I like the owl guards, that may help a lot
I guess that's a good lesson for those that are new.... just because they like humans around them does not mean they like them messing with their house while looking to pair with a mate. so... I'm pretty frustrated with myself but not completely discouraged. I know the season is young and I hope to get another shot this year and if so I won't be touching that house until its baby time haha 
There's the right way, the wrong way and then there's my way...........