Can I use a fan?

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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

I have two nests left to fledge babies, 22 days and 20 days old today. Heat indexes over 100 degrees here today. Can I blow a fan on the gourds from below? I plan to put ice packs in the adjoining gourds that are empty. Thanks for your help.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Put small ice paks right in with the nestlings - put them in a tube sock and bury under nest material, or put against outer wall of gourd. Put them in around noon-3 pm and replace at 5-6. I would not bother with a fan. Are your gourds vented? Can you add shade?
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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

Thanks, Louise. The gourds are vented. I'll go dig up some loose socks for the ice packs. :grin:
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

I forgot to add (too intent on finding those socks!) that the gourds face east and won't get much direct sunlight. I do have some old sign board rigged up that I will add over the gourds when I put in the ice packs. Thanks again.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Louise Chambers gave great advise with a picture about gourd shades exactly 2 years ago, July 13, 2015, in this post.

http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic ... de#p252036
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

Thanks, Mark (and thanks once again, Louise). I'll fabricate more of these for next year.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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