Control of heat and cold for housing

[Dave Duit]

I have heard a variety of methods used to insulate gourds and metal houses to protect the martins from excess heat in the summer and low temps at the beginning of the season. I use a large canopy roof to protect the gourds and metal houses from the brutal sun beating down. It also serves as protection from hawks and owls when an owl cage is installed. Another advantage of roof shade is it protects from hail and also keeps the houses dry. Many new products on the market for northern states martin landlords.What are your thoughts and ideas for heat and cold protection?

[SYmywa]

Dave,

Up in the northern tier, cool is the norm, /w heat being the exception.
With that being said, wood housing /w it's insulating property's, seems logical.
What would you think about an insulated attic and foam floors to help balance internal temp.?

The canopy idea sounds like a Multi-Peril insurance policy.
Are they available for purchase or a DIY custom project?

Please bear /w me, haven't spotted the spell check yet??!!

[Dave Duit]

Insulating the attic and adding foam floors to help balance internal temp sounds logical to me. As for the canopy, it is a very customized project. The canopy is made of corrugated wavy shaped asphalt/rubber white roofing 4X8'. It is supported by a homemade 4X5" metal cap that secures over a 4X5' extremely heavy and sturdy rectangle pole. Lots of welding and nuts and bolts.

[SYmywa]

Am looking for options in the way I offer compartments for the 2014 arrival,
including foam liners for early birds and even for temp. control for nestlings.

Will keep your canopy idea in mind, especially if it starts getting "Birdy"
around here!

Am definitely concerned about Arial predation!

[Dave Duit]

I have seen that is not a matter of when predators will strike. It will occur especially when a colony has grown enough to attract the hawks and owls. If you have any question whether to install guards or owl fencing, please do so before an attack happens. It isn't meant to scare people, but hawks and owls will go where the food source is plentiful. The purple martin.org website has great example and pics of owl fencing; especially under Aprils's owl guard or fence. I hope this is helpful.

[SYmywa]

Sounds like all good info. especially for someone getting that all so
vulnerable 1st pair!
Thanks for the Heads-up about info. available from the PMCA.
Have done some research there, about the owl tragedy's, especially in places
like Florida, where the infamous barred owl is a huge problem!

Along with my new offering for 2014 including- wood housing /w SREH, various
nest tray arrangements, including local nest materials, some /w foam liners and
others /w nest cups to aid creature comfort.
I have also studied posts and pic's on various types of owl protection and have
a model guard made up to fit my housing.
Your thoughts as to the best time to install this guarding on a new site?

[admin]

Please bear /w me, haven't spotted the spell check yet??!!

A Spell Check button has been added to the Forum along side the Preview, Submit, Save draft, and Cancel buttons.

[Dave Duit]

Thanks admin. This is a great tool for the website.

[Dave Duit]

Install owl guards prior to martins arrival. Even if you had martins last year the martins will adjust quickly to the guards. The martins are instinct driven to perpetuate their species and therefore will not be hampered or afraid of the owl guards. they may take a bit longer looking over the new look of the guards, but I assure you that they will not deter them from using your housing.

[SYmywa]

We erected a T-8 wood PM house in fall 2013.
Could adding owl guards, hamper the first "nesting pair" from
accepting the house

Thoughts Anyone