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Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/17/2008 11:58:10 AM

I would like to place some gourds out for Purple Martin nest. There is a lot of good information on the internet on how to prepare the gourds, but there is little information on the pole and the spreader bars/rods to attach the gourds.

I know it should be away from trees and about 12 to 20 feet high. Anyone done this and have any recommendations on how to make the pole/spreader bars or even where to buy them.

Thanks for your ideas.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/17/2008 1:35:59 PM

My Pole is about 15 feet tall, the spreaders are like 3 feet long in a "x" pattern and the gourds basically are like 2 inches apart from one and other.

Pole is located about 1/2 way down my rip rap seawall, so about 7 feet from the yard into the lake, encased in rip rap wall.

I will email you a picture if I have one which shows the set up.

FYI - Believe I have read you need to clean to gourds out, but I never have in over 5 years and the Martins still come back.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/17/2008 1:42:14 PM

Boy was I ever wrong. Not "x" pattern actually a circle set up and from pic looks like they are like 6" apart.

You have mail/pic at comcast if you still have access to such.

Name:	Maddog -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/17/2008 2:23:26 PM

When I bought my place on Lake Martin, there was a pole about 15 feet tall with a bike wheel atop of the pole. The goards were attached to the outer edge of the wheel. The pole was right next to the seawall and we always have a lot of birds.

Name:	Hawks Nest -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/17/2008 11:19:09 PM

Also interested in pic if you please send. Thank you.

Name:	Maverick -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/18/2008 12:49:23 PM

Cannot send via the forum email function.

Would need your email address, I had febs.

Hawk --- Send me an email through the forum and then I can email you the pic, that way you do not have to post your email address on the forum.

Name:	Feb -	Reply
Subject:	Purple Martin Gourds
Date:	7/18/2008 9:37:55 PM

Thanks for all the stuff. Hey Mav I love your picture and your gourd nest.

I might just come by and remove it for you. LOL
You know me and I would never do so.

I am looking for ideas on type of pole and the type of spoke for the gourd spread and connection. I may just go out and search some local flea markets for a top spoke of some sort.

I would really like to hear of some who have done it from scratch. I don't want to reinvent the wheel so to speak, but it maybe the best appoach (meaning an old wheel spoke).

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