Need input on SREH entrances

Keith · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 119 Location: Missouri/Ava

This past season all my housing had Crescent entrances but I want to add one or two more options this year. I am thinking of adding some Clinger or Conley types but thought it best to check with the forum. You know that it takes as much time and effort to make a wrong move as it does a correct one. If these types I have in mind are easier for Starlings to enter than the Crescent, maybe we shouldn't add them.
I guess my thoughts are that if a Martin does not like one type, maybe it will select another before moving on to a different location.

Keith Pellham

Peggy Riley · Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 383 Location: TX/Tolar

Keith I use the crescents, clinger and the WDC (first model I think). The only time I've had starlings enter is when I do not have the porch flush with the entrance. I've only experienced one smaller starling that could enter after I adjusted the porch. I like the clinger but I really haven't seen them struggle with any of the entrances. Once they get the idea it's easy going. I'd suggest you try a few of each and see what you like.
Peggy

Matt F. · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 1695 Location: Houston, TX

There are two starling-resistant entrances, that appear to be most restrictive - in terms of keeping starlings out - the Excluder, and Excluder II

Peggy Riley · Joined: 11 Nov 2003 Posts: 383 Location: TX/Tolar

Thanks for posting that Matt. I tried the Excluder one year and ended up modifying them because they were not being used. Once I cut the pips off they were taken immediately. I used them like that for several seasons.

Joe Zorn · Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 7:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Matt.
I always get the Excluder and the Clinger confused in my mind. Can't remember the correct names for them (it gets worse with time)

I've printed the chart out and mounted it here by my computer.

Rick B · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 20 Location: Wisconsin/Rubicon

I'm looking at a photo of Conley #3 . It's a modified oval hole and it claims to be 100% starling proof and that the martins enter with more ease in the #3 then they did in the first two designs.

Has anyone had a chance to try them out?

Rick

M. Fontenot · Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Lorena, TX

I have used the excluder for several years and the martins seem to like them. I also have several cresents but seem to have several hang ups every year early in the season. I am planning to change out the cresents for next season.

Keith · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Posts: 119 Location: Missouri/Ava

M. Fontenot

In reference to your post and the picture that Matt has shown above, I assume that you are using the Excluder shown in the center and not the WDC or Excluder II. I just want to try what works with other landlords. I do appreciate your posts.

Keith Pellham

M. Fontenot · Joined: 04 Dec 2003 Posts: 109 Location: Lorena, TX

I have the excluder and I made them myself. The Excluder II would be my choice. Do not worry, the martins will use all the types of entrances, and they are happy to not have the starlings in their nests. Just be sure that the height of the hole is not more than 1 3/16.

dicklaxt · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2401 Location: Texas/Rosenberg

I hear good reports on two others, Dually and Ace

dick

John Miller · Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 2550 Location: St. Louis, MO

Have learned from the school of hard knocks that a particular SREH or SREH placement, such as one-fourth inch off the floor, may work well for several seasons -- meaning martins enter and starlings don't.

Then it happens...a particular starling learns to enter. Other starlings see this and at a public site with no daily trapping, starlings overrun it.

This is not a recommendation to start a colony with some of the most restrictive entrances, such as the original excluder or a crescent placed flush. Actually, I suspect starlings try even harder once you get martins and that may be the time to get a little more restrictive.

And as the seasons go by I'm liking the good ole crescent more and more, precisely sized and placed about one-eighth inch off the floor. I have not had starlings enter it when it's sized right and placed at this level (five seasons) from the start,and have had new houses using these entrances exclusively fully colonized in a few years.

I have had starlings breach crescents slightly oversized, or placed at one-half inch. In those cases, found that once they learn to enter, they will not be stopped by shimming up the crescent to standard and placing at 1/8 inch (flush might work) -- they may struggle but will shimmy through. So then I've switched to Excluder IIs, a very useful entrance. It's actually larger in the middle by .5 mm and once martins learn to enter it, they use it easily, yet the humps seem to stop starlings.

So..just some observations

John M