Universal Sparrow Trap

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Charlie Rogers
Posts: 94
Joined: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:28 am
Location: Tahlequah, OKla.

Still continuing to use the above trap with good success. Should of got one quicker.
Charlie


2012-1 worn out S&K house,6 compartments,
12 fledglings
2013 - 1- 6 unit Coates House w/ SREH, 1 remodeled 6 unit remoded Aluminum house with Clinger tunnels
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2145
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.

Simple design with great results.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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BirdBrain
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 3:26 pm
Location: Wilson Co., Tennessee

It's slowed down but earlier this season I was catching as many as three a day. My hope is the reason I don't catch so many any more is that I've thinned them out that much.

Be aware the standard hole is large enough to admit an adult PUMA. I know this for fact because last month I caught an ASY male in mine. It didn't hurt the bird but the incident could not have done landlord-tenant relations any favors.

You might want to consider jury-rigging some sort of a reducer for the entrance hole. I choked mine down to 1 1/4" but stopped catching HOSPs. So I opened the hole to 1 5/8" and resumed catching HOSPs but still haven't caught any more PUMAs.
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Louise Chambers
Site Admin
Posts: 6208
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Good point - a reducer is a must to avoid catching martins, but if starlings are the target, then no reducer. I have my reducers sized to about 1-1/4 up to 1-3/16, attached with masking tape. Adding reducer to front of trap has worked well for me - I push trap to back of compartment, then rebuild tunnel portion of hosp nest in front of it. John Miller's tip about adding reducer to face of trap has helped me a lot.
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Robbo
Posts: 624
Joined: Tue Jun 09, 2009 2:53 pm
Location: Leduc, Alberta, Canada.

I have been dispatching an average of 5 HOSP's a day since May 03 when the Martin's returned. I started with 10 traps and am down to 6 in in the houses as The Martin's seem to be guarding and growing in strength. These Sparrows are my nemesis! I check and set traps 2 times day , maybe 3 times if there is more activity. In time the Martin's will just take over if they all ever show up, or I will trap every HOSP in My Yard!!!!!
2009. 98 eggs, 66 hatch, 61 fledged.
2010. 114 eggs, 89 hatch,70 fledged.
2011. 96 eggs. 80 hatch,68 fledged.Heavy Merlin preditation.
2012. 89 eggs. 56 hatch, good fledge. Guards installed. Merlin not sighted at houses.
2013. First Egg May 24, first Baby June 13.
2014. successful.
2015. successful.
2016. Martin's population decline, suspect new housing in the neighborhood. Merlin eating well also!
2017.Population explosion :grin: . first egg May 25 in a BO-11
2018. Population stable.
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Craig Haddox
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
Location: Missouri Washington

I caught a few in mine this year. The spare-o-door trap is deadly around here. :!:
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