jimf@ihlpf.ATT.COM (JF) (05/12/88)
I put up 4 bluebird boxes this Spring. One of them had a nesting pair up until a few days ago. The female had laid about 5 light blue eggs. Sparrows simply harrassed her until she abandoned the box. Two sparrows sat right by the box all day long. If the female left they wouldn't allow her back in. I interfered once and scared the sparrows off so the female bluebird could get back in the box, which she did. The male tried driving them off many times. At one time there were as many as 7 sparrows attacking him. The sparrows harrassed them constantly. I have seen no sign of bluebirds now for several days. I looked in the box. There was absolutely no sign of eggs, not even the tiniest piece of shell. The sparrows had built right on top of the bluebird nest. I guess the sparrows broke the eggs and removed the pieces. We're contemplating buying a pellet gun or sparrow trap. Ever since we built the boxes, the sparrows and starlings have taken over the back yard. I also put up 2 wood duck boxes by the pond. After constantly ripping out starling nests, I taped the holes hoping the starlings would go away. No such luck. How tdo I get rid of the scum birds???
john@oravax.UUCP (John Gregoire) (05/13/88)
Jim, your problem with house sparrows (HOSP) and starlings (STAR), or as we prefer (SLZO), is common to boxes that are emplaced too close to human structures. The overnest building is a common inter-species predation when they aren't enough natural cavities. We've observed similar predation by Bluebirds on Chickadee nests; In that case it was a simple matter of placing another box within a few feet as the species tolerate each other. Same for Tree swallow and Titmouse although the latter is shy. Doesn't work for House Wren as they build false nests in every cavity they find. I'd like to help you but need to first know more about your box placement and surrounding environment. Sparrow traps are commercially available and I suppose you could go the airgun route as HOSP and STAR are NOT protected species. Be advised that they are the ONLY ones not protected by statute. Either drop me a note on the group or send email so we don't bore others. I'm a bander in the New York finger lakes region. John Gregoire Kestrel Haven RD1 Box 244D Burdett, NY 14818 oravax!john@cu-arpa.cs.cornell.edu P.S. Spring migration occurred here on Sunday the 8th; our farm list went from 62 to 91 species in the ensuing two days and better yet, we banded several of the new species.