My old plywood house finely had it after 13 years and few mod's. So I had the wood and time and Some Idea's of what I perceive as Predator safe GHOST house.
First I wanted the Nest chamber to be in the front for ease of nest checks. With nest chamber in front that would mean all Entries would be L shaped Completely hiding the nest chamber. IMO that along would be Great predator protection. But, I didn't stop there.
I Wanted the porches to be designed in way That I could install protective screen Like on the Mr. Flecker's original GHOST house If I needed to Go to DEFCON 5 protection!. I don't think I would ever need to but Have the option. I also think the 1/2 screen would be no reaching through to snag babies or PM off the porch. IMO another added benefit.
Last I wanted this house well ventilated. I got some 1 1/2" vents and vented each compartment and Also vented the roof in the top compartments to release and heat buildup.
I always wanted to make platform to set the single 4 room apartments on to bolt them together and attach the hook and cable too. (not pictured)
Course I got my Stealth SREHS installed and used materials For the roof I already had so the cost was minimual (hinges, vents, and gal paint.) I also refinished my swing down laminated pole.
Sort of my Last Brain Fa$$. This house should last another 15 years with little maintenance and offer total protection IMO of course.
My version T16 Ghost house
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dhjohnson
- Posts: 478
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 4:24 pm
- Location: North Carolina/Clayton
- Martin Colony History: 5th year hostess. Currently 58 confirmed breeding pair. 218 Fledged, 35 older nestlings, 2 new nests with 8 nestlings. 100% occupancy
Wow RC!
That's a real thing of beauty! Should fill up in no time.
Have a great martin season!
Debbie
That's a real thing of beauty! Should fill up in no time.
Have a great martin season!
Debbie
Debbie Johnson
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
Clayton/NC (Archer Lodge)
2012 New Site 6 pair, 21 Fledged
2013 24 pair, 102 eggs, 94 hatched, 89 Fledged. What a great year!
2014 37 pair, 211 eggs, 193 Hatched, 178 Fledged, 1 nest of 5 young left! Late start but picked up speed quickly!
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
RC, that looks good. If you want a suggestion, then mine would be to cover the porches with wire, then cut out a hole that is large enough for a martin to enter, the hole would be as far from the entrance as you can get it. That would make it harder for a hawk to grab the martin.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Very nice work RC!
That is a great looking build you have there!
That is a great looking build you have there!
Thanks Matt and Debbie, Emil, I thought of that and still have that option if needed. I have lots of starlings and thought they would get in the caged in porch and kill PM's with no rear exit even though the can't get into the cavity. That's why I left the exits (at the front and inside) Plus PMs like quick entry when feeding and if I had to put the guard on the porches this wouldn't hamper there feeding. Guards are easy to make on this design Just cut the wire staple wire to boards and screw them onto the porches.
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 1921
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: 2018 Success at my Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”.
2019 Success at my home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
RC --- Good looking Job, well thought out. Have a great year with your new house.
Dave
Dave
Home Site “Little Hocking, Ohio”
2010 / 2018 -- Lots of Visitors
2019 — 1 Pair, 5 Eggs, 5 Babies, 5 fledged.
2020 — 1 Pair, 4 Eggs, 4 Babies, 4 fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”
2018 -- 15 Pair, 58 Eggs, 38 Hatched and 36 Fledged
2019 — 26 Pair, 128 Eggs, 99 Babies and 97 Fledged.
2020 — 30 Pair, 156 Eggs, 137 Babies and 137 Fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
PMCA Member
2010 / 2018 -- Lots of Visitors
2019 — 1 Pair, 5 Eggs, 5 Babies, 5 fledged.
2020 — 1 Pair, 4 Eggs, 4 Babies, 4 fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”
2018 -- 15 Pair, 58 Eggs, 38 Hatched and 36 Fledged
2019 — 26 Pair, 128 Eggs, 99 Babies and 97 Fledged.
2020 — 30 Pair, 156 Eggs, 137 Babies and 137 Fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
PMCA Member
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Peggy Riley
- Posts: 885
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:21 pm
- Location: TX/Tolar
Good work RC that looks very nice!
Peggy
Peggy
PMCA Member
2017 101 pair
2017 101 pair
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 1921
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: 2018 Success at my Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”.
2019 Success at my home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
RC -- Hope you don't mind.... I think I going to copy your guards. They look good and easy to make and install.
Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio
Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio
Home Site “Little Hocking, Ohio”
2010 / 2018 -- Lots of Visitors
2019 — 1 Pair, 5 Eggs, 5 Babies, 5 fledged.
2020 — 1 Pair, 4 Eggs, 4 Babies, 4 fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”
2018 -- 15 Pair, 58 Eggs, 38 Hatched and 36 Fledged
2019 — 26 Pair, 128 Eggs, 99 Babies and 97 Fledged.
2020 — 30 Pair, 156 Eggs, 137 Babies and 137 Fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
PMCA Member
2010 / 2018 -- Lots of Visitors
2019 — 1 Pair, 5 Eggs, 5 Babies, 5 fledged.
2020 — 1 Pair, 4 Eggs, 4 Babies, 4 fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”
2018 -- 15 Pair, 58 Eggs, 38 Hatched and 36 Fledged
2019 — 26 Pair, 128 Eggs, 99 Babies and 97 Fledged.
2020 — 30 Pair, 156 Eggs, 137 Babies and 137 Fledged.
2021 — Waiting on March 2021
PMCA Member