Well this is the second year trying. Had some visitors but no homemakers!
I am pleased to have just seen some PMs and I am looking forward to another season next year.
Question for you pros out there - I have porch dividers on my trio to prevent porch dominance. While this is an effective technique to increase occupancy rates, do the SYs males who establish new colonies see this as a less attractive site and therefore reluctant to setup shop?
Should I remove the porch dividers until I get my colony established?
Just wondering at Wandering Lane?
Do Porch Dividers Hinder Colony Establishment?
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WanderingPM
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:05 pm
- Location: Virginia, Clifton
Love all things flying - except sparrows and starlings!
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Guest
Wandering,
I do not claim to be a pro, they get paid for what they do... but I do not think that porch dividers on a trio will make any difference in whether they pick your site. They are just looking for a safe hole. But, removing the porch dividers won't hurt if you would feel better.
I think other more important factors should be checked: http://www.purplemartin.org/main/topten.html
Post a photo or layout of your PM offering requesting comments and you will get a number of responses. Most good ideas are documented on the PMCA web site.
Regards,
I do not claim to be a pro, they get paid for what they do... but I do not think that porch dividers on a trio will make any difference in whether they pick your site. They are just looking for a safe hole. But, removing the porch dividers won't hurt if you would feel better.
I think other more important factors should be checked: http://www.purplemartin.org/main/topten.html
Post a photo or layout of your PM offering requesting comments and you will get a number of responses. Most good ideas are documented on the PMCA web site.
Regards,
About 4 years ago I tried them on my 13 trio houses and the martins would enter the compartments but not build. I also had 2 x 4 fence wire on each side of the houses ty wraped to the porch railings to protect against owls so this only allowed them one way out. I removed the dividers the following year and occupancy rate went back up to around 65%.