Question ABout Porches

[Guest]

I bought SREH Supergourds and am wondering if I should put porches on them. If so, which would be better: the aluminum clip on type or the
S & K plastic porch (any thoughts on whether these should be put on the interior as well as the exterior?) Has anyone used the S & K porches on supergourds?
Any advice would be appreciated - I'm planning for next year!

[CraigMo.]

I have the metal ones you get from pmca on my sreh super gourds and they work fine. Both these and s & k 's porches go on inside and out. I am hearing on this forum that since the pmca porches aren't flush (level) with the opening of the gourds that some starlings are getting in easier. I have watched starlings try to get in mine but never made it in. All they do is keep spinning there wheels trying to get in. I am sure someone will reply to your question. I have been told some people don't use porches at all on there supergourds and have active sites. So I think its up to you. I like them also cause it gives the martin another perch to sit on. People also say that the inside porch might protect them from predators sticking their legs in for a grab. Good luck on whatever you decide

[Laverne]

Hi Jane.

The advice Craig offers is excellent.

I am the one who discovered a Starling had gained entry to my Crescent SREH SuperGourd with metal clip-on porch. I was frantic. I just happened to be watching when the PMs nesting in this gourd discovered the Starling and were trying to evict it. I thought the PMs were fighting with each other. I got up and walked over to the gourd rack talking to them as I walked - when suddenly this Starling head comes out of the gourd entrance. When he saw me he took off. But, there were young in that nest and I was so afraid for them. Fortunately, no harm was done. The metal clip-on porch has about 1/2" drop down from entrance hole. This drop allows the starling to get inside. Raising the floor of the exterior porch 1/4" stopped the starling from getting inside.

I ordered the S&K plastic porch and mounted them to the exterior only of my SGs. We mounted them flush to the bottom of the crescent with pop rivets. These were never breached by Starling. However, the flush mounted porch is a little more difficult for the PMs to enter as well.

I recommend a porch that is installed so that the exterior floor is 1/4" below the bottom of the entrance hole.

Others told me, at the time of this incident, that they didn't use porches with their crescent SGs. I think that would be optimum - however, my PMs have always had porched housing and when I left the porches off - they couldn't get inside. Just like everybody else, I freaked out and put the porches back on - so my precious PMs wouldn't be left out in the cold.

[Guest]

Craig and Laverne, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and experience! It's very helpful! Thanks!
Jane

[orbit1]

What about porches for Supergourds with round holes? Has anyone come up with a solution for these gourds?

Thanks in advance,

Dave