Replacing the eyebolt on the GR-1 (original PMCA gourd rack)
From: Ken Kostka, PMCA
Date: 9/16/99
Time: 4:06:28 PM
Comments
I would advise anyone with the original PMCA Gourd Rack (GR-1) to consider replacing the eyebolt (at the top of the pole) every 4-5 years or so. I recently had a rack "freefall" down the pole after the stem of the eyebolt broke during a violent windstorm. This eyebolt supports the entire weight of the rack and is constantly under stress, which weakens the eyebolt stem over time. By the way, do not overtighten the winch when cranking up the rack. This places a great deal more constant stress on the eyebolt. Luckily, this failure occurred after all but one of the nests had fledged its young. Incidentally, this rack achieved 100% occupancy in its first year, which is rare in SW Pennsylvania where martins are scarce. But the gourd rack was placed in ideal martin habitat (Moraine State Park with a 3200 acre lake, 35 miles north of Pittsburgh), which explains the unusual success. In regions where martins are scarce and almost impossible to attract to marginal backyard habitats, I believe the best strategy to reestablish the species is to erect and manage housing at ideal sites throughout that region. Once a healthy core population is reestablished at these sites, they should spill over into more marginal areas (as long as new housing is not continually added to the core sites). State parks and other public facilities are great educational and demonstration sites too, so be sure to erect manageable housing so that visitors see how to do it right.
Ken Kostka, PMCA
