The 'Oct-Estate' Purple Martin Gourd Kit | Prime Retreat 8-Gourd 4-Over-4 Colony System with Decoys

The Experience

Eight gourds. A 14-foot aluminum pole. Two species-accurate Purple Martin decoys. And a convertible entrance hole geometry that gives the landlord the flexibility to run crescent SREH protection or transition to round holes as the colony matures. The Oct-Estate is a complete, ready-to-install 8-gourd colony system engineered for the landlord who wants serious capacity, serious scout attraction, and the flexibility to adapt the setup to their colony's specific history and preferences. Everything required for a functional, visually compelling colony site is in the box — and nothing extraneous is.

Scientific Engineering

• Convertible Entrance Hole Geometry: Each gourd ships with a crescent-shaped SREH opening measuring 2.125"L x 1.25"H for passive European Starling exclusion. Perforations at the base of each entrance allow conversion to a 2.125" round hole configuration for landlords managing established colonies accustomed to traditional round-hole housing — a flexibility found on few production gourds at any price point.
• Off-White Gourd Construction: The light-colored exterior of each gourd reflects solar radiation, reducing interior temperature buildup during peak summer heat and protecting nestlings from heat stress during the critical development window.
• 7" Diameter Nesting Area: Each gourd provides a generous 7" interior nesting diameter — closely mimicking the natural gourd cavity geometry that Purple Martins evolved to prefer — supporting comfortable clutch placement and healthy nestling development.
• Dual X-Pattern Rod Configuration: The included Wild Bird Lover's 4-Over-4 Aluminum Pole positions eight gourds across two tiers of four in a dual X-pattern, providing natural radial spacing that reduces inter-pair territorial conflict and supports stable multi-pair occupancy throughout the breeding season.
• Four-Section Swaged Aluminum Pole: Four pole sections connect via swaged ends for tool-free assembly to a full working height of 14 feet — within the optimal 10-20 foot range for Purple Martin colony establishment and predator avoidance.
• Ground Socket with Seasonal Removal: The included ground socket anchors the pole with structural stability while allowing full pole removal for winter storage, mowing clearance, and off-season maintenance without disturbing the socket installation.
• S&K Purple Martin Decoys: Two species-accurate Purple Martin decoys with lifelike texture, color, and innovative clamp mounts attach directly to rods or perches — signaling to arriving scouts that this is a recognized, active colony site and measurably improving first-season establishment rates.

Boutique & Conservation Values

• Multi-Layer Scout Attraction: The combination of SREH gourds, off-white heat-reflective construction, and two Purple Martin decoys creates a passive, multi-signal scout attraction strategy that works continuously without landlord intervention from the moment installation is complete.
• Convertible Flexibility: The perforated round-hole conversion option allows experienced landlords to transition the Oct-Estate from SREH protection to round-hole configuration as colony history demands — without replacing the gourds or the hardware.

Kit Contents

• 8 Wild Bird Lover's Two-Piece Martin Gourds (crescent SREH, convertible to round)
• 1 Wild Bird Lover's Aluminum Pole for 8 Gourds, 4-Over-4 (14', ground socket included)
• 2 S&K Purple Martin Decoys with Clamp Mounts

Specifications

• Gourd Diameter: 8" per gourd
• Gourd Height: 12.25" per gourd
• Nesting Area Diameter: 7" per gourd
• Entrance Hole Style: Crescent SREH (convertible to 2.125" round)
• Entrance Hole Dimensions: 2.125" L x 1.25" H crescent
• Gourd Material: Plastic
• Pole Material: Aluminum
• Pole Configuration: 4-Over-4 Dual X-Pattern
• Pole Height: 14' assembled
• Gourd Count: 8
• Mounting: Ground socket (included)
• Shipping Weight: 19 lbs.
• Shipping Profile: Secure Habitat Handling ($14.99)
• ⚠️ Assembly Required