Darn Sparrow

Sam Harris · Wed May 04, 2011 6:49 pm

I hadn't seen a single sparrow out at my place all year till this morning. As I was sitting outside drinking coffee, I saw his ugly little head peaking out of a compartment. He the flew over to a gourd rod. I went and got the Daisy and dispatched him quickly. So this year I have shot 3 starlings and now one sparrow.

The Walvoords · Wed May 04, 2011 7:30 pm

Good Job Sam, wish I could say the same today. Too many other songbirds around with the House sparrows tonight so no good clear shot. Bummer, it always feels great to get one thats been bugging the martin houses. Maybe tomorrow.

Keep on getting after them!

Anna

Guest · Wed May 04, 2011 7:53 pm

I have two uncle Blaine traps that have made a huge impact around my
House. I have had them in action for a couple of years. Year around they
Work but takes time. I have a problem with starlins at present I shot two
Today but them seem to just keep showing up. I seen them on my racks
Poking their heads in my gourds trying to peck my martins. It was unreal
So I am on a mission to get them out of hear!!!!

Penny Briscoe · Wed May 04, 2011 8:07 pm

I solved the starling problem this year. All gourds are starling resistant, and the metal housing apparently has compartments too small to suit them. But sparrows! What pests. I have shot two with my Daisy Red Rider and trapped 5 in my sparrow trap. All are now permanently gone, but I still have at least one more I have to get. I still have guilt feelings at times but watched an online video of what these birds do to martins, and I love ALL 40 or so of mine. That's motivation with a capital "M."

Taxlave · Wed May 04, 2011 8:12 pm

I'm a huge fan of Blaine's trap! I've dispatched at least 15 sparrows and one starling this season. One sparrow escaped :( I still have one female and male in the trap, so I hope to catch a few more

The day will come will I no longer will hear a single sparrow screeching...

Caroline94535-ND · Wed May 04, 2011 9:28 pm

I'm feeling your pain, Sam.

As soon as the first PMs of the season arrived (April 25) I opened the gourds. Suddenly, HOSP appeared in droves even though I've seen only one, and only for once, since last fall.

I've trapped/eliminated five HOSP (3 male, 2 female) in the ST-1 trap in the past two days. I have it "baited" with the bits of nesting material they had put in four of the gourds.

Because of where my pole is located (front yard near the street) and the proximity of the neighbors' houses (one hosts day care for little children) I cannot shoot the HOSP.

I have a big nest box trap set near the garage. I have two van Ert traps going in two of the bird boxes, and I ordered three more yesterday. I have a ground bait trap, but right now the ST-1 is working all the magic.

I have it set in the empty garden near the dead stems they were using for nesting material. I added their nesting junk from the gourds and it seem to be working like a magnet.