INSTRUCTIONS NEEDED - Mounting Camera in a Gourd

[JustForMartins]

Can anyone please provide a parts list for what they are using (along with possible assembly instructions), for how they are adding a camera to a Troyer horizontal gourd?? Please?

I would like to work on getting one or two added to my colony this winter before they come back in April. Thank you!

[flyin-lowe]

A lot of it depends on personal preference. How close is your martin housing to your residence and does your home wifi/internet reach that far. Internet accessibility and bandwidth are big factors for the cameras.

[malbin]

I used a good strong double sided tape to the mounting bracket of my blink camera to the lid on my S&K gourd then put two small screws through the lid into the bracket and it worked ok. I just used the tape on the bracket and attached it above the entrance of my Chirpy Nests and they worked great, of course the camera is almost vertical and sort of rests on the ledge of the entrance of the Chirpy Nest.

[MY FYN 79]

Following with interest.

Anyone have pictures of their setup?

[SSMartin]

will the blink 4th gen work with the mount it comes with? It doesn’t have the 1/4” thread anymore but they sell a small adapter to give it one. I have never had them but will have them tomorrow and am ready to get them up. Birds have been here since the 1st.

[JustForMartins]

A lot of it depends on personal preference. How close is your martin housing to your residence and does your home wifi/internet reach that far. Internet accessibility and bandwidth are big factors for the cameras.

My home wifi DOES reach my pole/colony. I have tested and it reaches fine, so a WiFi solution should work. I am thinking of using the Blink Outdoor 4 cameras with an attached solar panel, but looking for the best mounting options for use inside of a gourd - Troyer horizontal for now, but could consider adding a using a vertical if needed. Really just trying to understand best solution for mounting under or above the gourd cap while not taking space away from the nesting area and retaining a watertight seal. Thanks

[JustForMartins]

will the blink 4th gen work with the mount it comes with? It doesn’t have the 1/4” thread anymore but they sell a small adapter to give it one. I have never had them but will have them tomorrow and am ready to get them up. Birds have been here since the 1st.

What is this adapter you are referring too? Can you provide a link? Thanks!

[JustForMartins]

I used a good strong double sided tape to the mounting bracket of my blink camera to the lid on my S&K gourd then put two small screws through the lid into the bracket and it worked ok. I just used the tape on the bracket and attached it above the entrance of my Chirpy Nests and they worked great, of course the camera is almost vertical and sort of rests on the ledge of the entrance of the Chirpy Nest.

Have any pictures of this setup? Thanks!

[SSMartin]

I went ahead and used the mount it comes with. It’s a swivel ball mount type installed with two screws. I just screwed the mount to the cap and added the camera. I think it’ll be fine.

From the entrance with my phone.
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The cameras view.
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The birds haven’t returned yet but saw them in this gourd this morning. I’ll update the picture if they come in this gourd tonight. Install took me all of 5 minutes this is the blink 4th gen. I missed the sale so just got the used set and they seem flawless.

[flyin-lowe]

For those using the Blink do you keep them shut off and just turn them on to look or what? I have those cameras around my house and pole barn but would hate to have them sending me alerts every 20 seconds. I usually get 2-3 year battery life but my house sits way off the road and we only set them at night or when we are not home, so they only trigger once a month or so when we get a delivery or something. I would imagine since they aren't designed to run all the time they would burn through batteries in this situation because they would trigger every time they detect movement. I like them for my home security, just not sure I would like them in this application.

[malbin]

I keep them on until birds arrive and then shut them off and turn on to see how things are going. I had 13 cameras in mostly Chirpy Nest gourds last year and they worked great.

[flyin-lowe]

That sounds good. I know some people buy cameras wanting to have it running on their TV during the day or to live stream somewhere. I don't thing Blink is an option in that situation.

[SSMartin]

Here is how I installed the blink cam to the lid. This was with the bracket that is supplied with the blink outdoor 4 gen.

[MY FYN 79]

Looks good.

Being that we haven’t had a nesting pair complete the process yet, is there any concern about the birds not liking the camera in the gourd?

Also, stating the obvious that because we don’t have an established colony, we don’t know which gourd they might choose so it would almost need to be added after they chose the gourd.

Camera seems like a very neat deal, just don’t want to jeopardize getting a nesting pair over it. Am I overthinking it?

[SSMartin]

I have never used a camera in a gourd before. Since it’s attached to the lid you can just remove the lid and change it to whatever gourd you would like.

I just added the camera while they were out feeding and armed the camera so it would record when they returned. They didn’t even appear to look it over upon entering for the evening. I believe if they had an established nest or chicks they would be more cautious of something new but still highly unlikely to disturb them to the point they abandon their nest.

[flyin-lowe]

Honestly if it was me, I would pick a gourd and put the camera in since you don't have an established colony. If you had an established colony you could wait until they started nesting and add the camera and they likely wouldn't leave, just might be spooked for a little bit. I would not add a camera to a nest with first year martins and risk running them off.

[JustForMartins]

Here is how I installed the blink cam to the lid. This was with the bracket that is supplied with the blink outdoor 4 gen.

Thanks!

[Bird Brain]

Gorilla Mounting Putty works great for mounting things inside the gourd. I used it to hang mirrors inside my gourds. I have also purchased it in store at Lowes and Home Depot. You can use as many squares of it as you need to support the desired weight.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Removabl ... r=8-3&th=1

[SSMartin]

Great idea with the putty. Thanks for sharing that.

[JustForMartins]

Gorilla Mounting Putty works great for mounting things inside the gourd. I used it to hang mirrors inside my gourds. I have also purchased it in store at Lowes and Home Depot. You can use as many squares of it as you need to support the desired weight.

https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Removabl ... r=8-3&th=1

What is the purpose for hanging mirrors in the gourds?

Thanks.