My martins seem so vulnerable when they roost at night in a one entrance compartment. I am wondering if any of the creative landlords have ever tried a double entrance.
I saw a pair of martins nest in an old stop light at a busy intersection many years ago. The nest was built on the protruding cone in front of the green light. So martins can be creative.
Rear and Front Entrances.
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flyin-lowe
- Posts: 2935
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
- Location: Indiana/Henry Co.
The would be more vulnerable with multiple entrances, they typically nest in the back of the compartment away from the entrance to keep something from reach in and grabbing them. If there was an entrance at both ends the cavity would be very bright inside and I don't think they would use it. I also don't think they would ever figure out and "exit only" type flap at the back end of a cavity.
2020 Currently 42 nest, 110 babies, 64 eggs left to hatch(6-22-20) HOSP count-8
2019- 31 Pair over 100 fledged
2018- 15 pair last count 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair nested, 12 eggs total, fledged 10. 4 additional SY's stayed all summer but never paired/nested.
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles away, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair (11 that nested), 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair, 21 eggs, 16 hatched, 14 fledged.
2019- 31 Pair over 100 fledged
2018- 15 pair last count 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair nested, 12 eggs total, fledged 10. 4 additional SY's stayed all summer but never paired/nested.
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles away, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair (11 that nested), 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair, 21 eggs, 16 hatched, 14 fledged.
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 1755
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2020, 60 pair with 285 fledged youngsters. 83 total cavities available, 58 Troyer Horizontal gourds and 4 modified deep trio metal house units, 1 fallout shelter, owl cages around all units. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit www.iamartin.org and join.
I agree with flyin-lowe,
With nest building near the back, an additional exit would expose them to predators. It is good to consider new advancements, but sometimes we need to look at all aspects of what is good and bad about the idea. I have done some reseach at my own colony with extremely deep compartments, 18 inches deep with troyer tunnels attached at the front. In tese 6 experimental cavities, the martins have always built their nests at the far back portion of the cavity.
With nest building near the back, an additional exit would expose them to predators. It is good to consider new advancements, but sometimes we need to look at all aspects of what is good and bad about the idea. I have done some reseach at my own colony with extremely deep compartments, 18 inches deep with troyer tunnels attached at the front. In tese 6 experimental cavities, the martins have always built their nests at the far back portion of the cavity.
Mite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
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bstump
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 9:51 pm
- Location: SW OH
- Martin Colony History: 2018: 40 cavities - 39 active nests - 204 eggs - 175 fledged
2019: 42 cavities - 39 active nests - 209 eggs - 152 fledged
I altered an old Trio house from 6" cavities to 12"cavities by adding a SREH to one side and a "plugged" round hole to the other side after removing the center divider. The "plug" fell out and the martins used the round hole entrance as the front and built a mud dam against the SREH in the back to close it off. So far it has worked fine.