I caught a sparrow in a trap, and left it in the trap, hoping that it would attract more sparrows to trap. Well, the sparrow was swallowed by this rat snake, and it could not get out of the trap, the bulge in its stomach was too large.
I am hoping that this will help the baby birds. The baby birds have been lost to something, the empty nests made me think it was a rat snake, so I hope that this capture stops the disappearance.
Bait sparrow was swallowed
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
- Attachments
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- rat snake caught the sparrow in the trap
- IMG_1214 (400x300).jpg (43.02 KiB) Viewed 7673 times
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- rat snake in the trap
- IMG_1213 (400x300).jpg (57.51 KiB) Viewed 7673 times
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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eyeamtheman
- Posts: 633
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
- Location: Quitman, La
- Martin Colony History: Super colony
That's pretty awesome Emil....
And that rat snake sure looks different from the ones we have around here....
(I know there are several different kinds)
And that rat snake sure looks different from the ones we have around here....
(I know there are several different kinds)
Johnny
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Chickadee, we have too many rat snakes
Eyeamtheman, this is probably a Texas Rat snake, you may have the black rat snakes. Ours only get about 5ft long
Eyeamtheman, this is probably a Texas Rat snake, you may have the black rat snakes. Ours only get about 5ft long
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
Way to go Emil ! "that's taking care of two with one trap!" 
Last edited by Anthony Neira on Mon Apr 28, 2014 11:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
VERY GOOD EMIL
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
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tonyg
- Posts: 1520
- Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:16 pm
- Location: Olpe, KS
- Martin Colony History: 22 year landlord, 14 at current residence..offering 9 racks and a homemade T-8 for 166 total cavities. 160 Pair in 2018 Racks consist of a Deluxe 12, AAA 16, Starburst 16, 2 K-18 Series, Super 24, 2 Gemini, Multi-purpose/two trio’s/4gourds and a T-8..Great hobby to be involved in..
Pretty cool Emil! Think you found a new predator guard!!! 
22 year landlord..9 Rack Systems for 2018 and my home built T-8 for a total of 166 cavities..160 pair in 2018 ..SUPER COLONY!!! Love You Bev... Fan of those St. Louis Cardinals!!!!!
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Carrera Mike
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
- Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
- Martin Colony History: Pls see signature
Good job Emil! Double whammy!
Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Joez, the trap is sold by the PMCA, its a baited trap called Wire Sparrow Trap, $73. Go to the PMCA SHOP, click on traps, then baited traps, and you will see it.
I like the trap, its very easy to catch the sparrows at nest building time. I set the trap under the gourd rack, put some feathers, twigs, etc into the trap. The easiest way to get the feathers is to pull out a sparrow nest, and put parts of it into the trap. At nest building time, you will quickly catch them trying to get the feathers. The caught sparrow will try to get out, it will go into the center holding area, but it cannot get out of it. Then reset the trap, and catch some more.
I like the trap, its very easy to catch the sparrows at nest building time. I set the trap under the gourd rack, put some feathers, twigs, etc into the trap. The easiest way to get the feathers is to pull out a sparrow nest, and put parts of it into the trap. At nest building time, you will quickly catch them trying to get the feathers. The caught sparrow will try to get out, it will go into the center holding area, but it cannot get out of it. Then reset the trap, and catch some more.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Thanks!
Ya, yesterday I saw a male sparrow enter one of my gourds and then sit on the porch! I ran to the back to get my pellet gun but when I returned the martins were also there. Didnt want to risk missin the target.
So I lowered the rack and closed of two of the gourds.
Stinks, I thought I was sparrow free....LOL
Ya, yesterday I saw a male sparrow enter one of my gourds and then sit on the porch! I ran to the back to get my pellet gun but when I returned the martins were also there. Didnt want to risk missin the target.
So I lowered the rack and closed of two of the gourds.
Stinks, I thought I was sparrow free....LOL
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Caroline94535-ND
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:12 am
- Location: North Dakota/Larimore
- Martin Colony History: Will add later
Emil, what a wonderful day of trapping! Congratulations.
May I copy your photos and share them with a couple of Martineering friends that are not on any computer forums? You will be given glowing recognition as the trapper and photographer extraordinaire.
May I copy your photos and share them with a couple of Martineering friends that are not on any computer forums? You will be given glowing recognition as the trapper and photographer extraordinaire.
~ Not all those who wander are lost.
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
Carol, sure they can be copied. I am not looking for recognition, just trying to help the purple martins and other birds.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Thats a good size snake for around here Emil and do not think I have seen that color before.
If you got em there, we got em here so good see one right now. Thanks for the good share. Thats a good catch.
If you got em there, we got em here so good see one right now. Thanks for the good share. Thats a good catch.
2008~(1st yr) 4 pairs, 11 to 12 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
2009~(2nd yr) 9 pairs, 41 fledged
2010~(3rd year) 11 pairs. 50 fledged
2011~(4th year) 20 pairs, 23 out of 23 gourds Martin occupied, 3 fledged, the rest died in the drought. (1 new Blue Bird, 3 BB fledged.)
2012~ 26 pairs, approx. 100-110 fledged
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
I just love that image! I call my repeating trap "HOSP jail" 
PMCA Member
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