This what I did for traction getting out. I also added some porches to a few that will be the ones I open first if they like them I can add them to the rest.

Don’t get hung up on the term scout, that’s what the early arriving Martins are offended referred to but they are no different then any other returning Martins. As was said above they have strong site fidelity so if you have adult Martins staying at your site more then likely there was/is a problem...

If someone had asy "scouts" take to a new site early I understand they dont start nesting immediately, would they defend it from tree swallow swallows etc.

Thanks in advance

That's encouraging,

Thanks

I plan on opening a few of my gourds as soon as my established neighbor's do. Or when I hear or see martins. I know the scouts are asy Martin's, I have read that some people believe that asy Martin's will sometimes leave their previous site for a site they like better. Would anyone like to weigh in ...

If your spot a ragged tv antenna in the land field and think that would make a nice perch for my Martin Pole, Take and use it...

clivia98, how many houses do you have? How many apartments are in each house? I would only open a couple apartments in one of the houses to allow the Martins access. I would then open a couple more apartments after more Martins start to show up. I would not open all compartments this early though. ...

I'm a wannabe myself but if you look on this site "purple martins/attracting/timing" it says unless you have close neighbors with a established colony wait 4 weeks after the scouts arrive to open your gourds. If your lucky and have neighbors with established colony you can open as soon as your areas...

I think the barn swallows around my place eat their share of flying insects seem to be a great benefit to have around. I wish I had more of them.

Thanks for the feedback,

Randy, its true that the gourd floors are slick. Martins will make such gourds their last choice. I have some side entrances, and I make sure that there is a ramp there so that they can get out at the steep sides real easily. I have some paint which the grit in it, going to paint inside floors up t...

Does anybody know Which birds migrate here first barn swallows or martins? Just wondering.

Do you know if any one relative to you have martins nest in the s&k brand gourds? It could be that your martins come from troyer type gourds.

I have heard alot of good things about s&k gourds. How many troyer gourds do you have?


Thanks

Randy, its true that the gourd floors are slick. Martins will make such gourds their last choice. I have some side entrances, and I make sure that there is a ramp there so that they can get out at the steep sides real easily. I will get some traction tape and install around the inside entrance befo...

Hi Randy, Thanks for sharing your post. If you are referring to a red-tailed hawk, martin easily out fly these predators. But, the Cooper's hawk and sharp shinned hawks are the worst of hawks with martins. Red-tailed hawks are much to slow to catch a martin in flight. No these are red shouldered ha...

Hi, I have had natureline gourds for several years. Mine are with the cresent entrance without any porches. My martins love them. No problem coming and going with them. My natureline gourds are some of the first to fill up with birds, and they are very productive as well. Meaning eggs are a plenty....

I have been clearing trees before the martins arrive trying to make the site better. I have 6-bo9, and 8 of natureline gourds, I'm also going to put up a tree swallow house and several natural gourds on Shepard hooks for the blue birds. Hope this year I get my martins. Good luck to all trying to get...

I will.post later

This is my solution to treeswallow.

Thanks Dale. I will look at lowes.

mwren, I have designed to slide onto my existing GMA's and pinned the same as gourd. I have 3 poles all with winch and cable. These 4 mail box cavities will go on my B&B rack with 4 Bo9 gourds. This still has to be painted white. Dale D where could I find vents like you used here? I want to make so...