{"product_id":"the-settlers-package-purple-martin-starter-kit-bestnest-6-gourd-colony-system-with-tri-pole-bracket-decoys","title":"The 'Settlers Package' Purple Martin Starter Kit | BestNest 6-Gourd Colony System with Tri-Pole, Bracket \u0026 Decoys","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eThe Experience\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEvery thriving Purple Martin colony begins with a single decision — to put up the right housing in the right place and commit to the birds that find it. The Settlers Package is built for that moment. A complete, staff-designed entry-level colony system that gives the first-time Purple Martin landlord everything needed to attract, establish, and begin managing a colony from day one. Six crescent SREH gourds. A 15-foot S\u0026amp;K telescoping aluminum tri-pole with ground socket. A hanging gourd bracket engineered to lower the entire setup for nest checks without a ladder. Two Purple Martin decoys to signal to scouts that this is an active, occupied site. And the Stokes Purple Martin Book — one of the most comprehensive colony management references available to the serious new landlord. This is not a starter kit that will be outgrown in a season. It is a foundation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eScientific Engineering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrescent Starling-Resistant Entrance Holes (SREH):\u003c\/strong\u003e Each of the six gourds features a crescent-shaped opening measuring 2.125\"L x 1.375\"H — physically excluding European Starlings while admitting Purple Martins without restriction. Passive, permanent colony protection from the first day of installation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtended Neck Gourd Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e The elongated neck profile of each gourd mimics the geometry of natural gourds — the cavity shape Purple Martins evolved to prefer — improving scout attraction rates and first-season occupancy compared to standard round-hole housing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight-Colored Gourd Construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e The pale exterior of each gourd reflects solar radiation, reducing interior temperature buildup during peak summer heat and protecting nestlings from heat stress during critical development windows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase Seam Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e A designed seam at the base of each gourd allows water ingress to drain freely, keeping nest interiors dry throughout active breeding season regardless of precipitation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOffset Bracket Rod Design:\u003c\/strong\u003e The S\u0026amp;K Hanging Gourd Bracket features offset rod lengths that naturally space gourds at varying distances from the hub — reducing inter-pair territorial conflict and supporting stable multi-pair occupancy from the first season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescoping Tri-Pole with Ground Socket:\u003c\/strong\u003e The included S\u0026amp;K 15-foot telescoping aluminum tri-pole collapses from the bottom for raise-and-lower access without a ladder — putting nest checks, competitor eviction, and seasonal management within reach on every visit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurple Martin Decoys with Mounts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Two species-accurate Purple Martin decoys mount to the installation and signal to arriving scouts that this is a recognized, occupied colony site — one of the most effective passive scout attraction tools available to the first-season landlord.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePin-Secured Gourd Mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gourds slide onto bracket rods and secure with pins for tool-free installation and removal during seasonal transitions and nest checks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eBoutique \u0026amp; Conservation Values\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete First-Season Infrastructure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every component required to establish a functional Purple Martin colony site is included — pole, ground socket, bracket, gourds, decoys, and reference guide. No supplemental purchases required to get started.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScout Attraction Strategy Built In:\u003c\/strong\u003e The combination of SREH gourds, extended neck design, and Purple Martin decoys represents a multi-layered passive scout attraction approach — giving first-season landlords the best possible chance of colony establishment in year one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Stokes Purple Martin Book:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written by two of North America's most respected birding authorities, this comprehensive reference covers attraction, housing, colony management, and species behavior in detail — the essential companion for any landlord serious about running a successful program.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eKit Contents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6\u003c\/strong\u003e Wild Bird Lover's Two-Piece Martin Gourds (crescent SREH)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e S\u0026amp;K Hanging Gourd Bracket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e S\u0026amp;K Telescoping Aluminum Tri-Pole with Ground Socket, 15'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e S\u0026amp;K Purple Martin Decoys with Mounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1\u003c\/strong\u003e Stokes Purple Martin Book\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGourd Diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8\" per gourd\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGourd Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.25\" per gourd\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEntrance Hole Style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crescent SREH\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEntrance Hole Dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.125\" L x 1.375\" H\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGourd Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePole Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e Telescoping Aluminum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePole Style:\u003c\/strong\u003e Triangular (Tri-Pole)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePole Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGourd Count:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Installation Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15'\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ground socket (included)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatible Houses:\u003c\/strong\u003e S\u0026amp;K Triangular Pole-Compatible Purple Martin Houses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 21 lbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping Profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Secure Habitat Handling ($14.99)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ Assembly Required\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/5608\/5583\/files\/SK_Pole_TTP_Manual_V2.pdf?v=1772473323\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTRI-POLE MANUAL\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Troyer's Birds' Paradise","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45259256725583,"sku":"BN-HGB-KIT","price":299.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/5608\/5583\/files\/BN-HGB-KIT_M_lg.jpg?v=1779120642","url":"https:\/\/midwestnestshop.com\/products\/the-settlers-package-purple-martin-starter-kit-bestnest-6-gourd-colony-system-with-tri-pole-bracket-decoys","provider":"Midwest Nest LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}