Most of my babies have fledged. I still have one nest with 4 babies a little over a week old.
I have at least 2 pairs of HOSPs trying to build nests. At this point, I am considering just letting them build away, then "controlling" a couple of nests/eggs/babies to take care of a couple of generations of the feathered rats. Depending on the hatch/fledge times of HOSPs, the baby martins should have fledged.
I'd still keep my trap baited at the base of my colony.
Any thoughts?
HOSP control
'18-- 8 nests, 39 eggs, 19 fledged
'17-- 10 nests, 40 eggs, 38 fledged
'16-- 9 nests, 47 eggs, 41 fledged
'15-- 9 nests, 42 eggs, 21 fledged
'14-- 8 nests, 38 eggs, 35 fledged
'13-- 5 nests, 23 eggs, 19 fledged
'12-- 4 nests, 19 eggs, 13 fledged
'17-- 10 nests, 40 eggs, 38 fledged
'16-- 9 nests, 47 eggs, 41 fledged
'15-- 9 nests, 42 eggs, 21 fledged
'14-- 8 nests, 38 eggs, 35 fledged
'13-- 5 nests, 23 eggs, 19 fledged
'12-- 4 nests, 19 eggs, 13 fledged
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DornCounty
- Posts: 2169
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 3:58 pm
- Location: Rural SE Kansas
- Martin Colony History: .
.
Trio-Jedi
it would be alittle cruel to take out the babies if you have the ability to take out the adults now. If you want to get both usually waiting until they are nest committed with one egg would be sufficient to get both.
2017 - Home & Public Colonies - 300 Cavities
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
Ed,
If it were me, I'd go ahead and set traps in those compartments until you at least take care of the male HOSP or males if there are 2. In the process you may take care of a female or 2 also. I don't give those little buggers any lee way.
Dave
If it were me, I'd go ahead and set traps in those compartments until you at least take care of the male HOSP or males if there are 2. In the process you may take care of a female or 2 also. I don't give those little buggers any lee way.
Dave
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
No, don't let them build or hang around. You can't trust them around the martin or any other native bird nestlings.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
Thanks to all for the inputs-- good things to think about.
Put a trap where one of the nests were this AM.
Put a trap where one of the nests were this AM.
'18-- 8 nests, 39 eggs, 19 fledged
'17-- 10 nests, 40 eggs, 38 fledged
'16-- 9 nests, 47 eggs, 41 fledged
'15-- 9 nests, 42 eggs, 21 fledged
'14-- 8 nests, 38 eggs, 35 fledged
'13-- 5 nests, 23 eggs, 19 fledged
'12-- 4 nests, 19 eggs, 13 fledged
'17-- 10 nests, 40 eggs, 38 fledged
'16-- 9 nests, 47 eggs, 41 fledged
'15-- 9 nests, 42 eggs, 21 fledged
'14-- 8 nests, 38 eggs, 35 fledged
'13-- 5 nests, 23 eggs, 19 fledged
'12-- 4 nests, 19 eggs, 13 fledged
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
Noticed one hanging around my place this morning. Trapped and dispatched him before the day was out. Like I said, I don't give them an inch if I can help it.
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Ed,
Your English house sparrow question prompted me to make a nest box trap which I can move around to different proteges' houses.
It is basically an XBox Blue Bird nesting box which I have attached a 1 3/8" metal plate to restrict the entrance hole. I am using the Van Ert Universal Sparrow Trap for Bluebird Nest Boxes. I am going to put a 2' hole on one side, a swivel away door and use a jar to remove the sparrow from the trap.
HOSP control has to be a year round task to really make a dent in your local area.
Mark.
Your English house sparrow question prompted me to make a nest box trap which I can move around to different proteges' houses.
It is basically an XBox Blue Bird nesting box which I have attached a 1 3/8" metal plate to restrict the entrance hole. I am using the Van Ert Universal Sparrow Trap for Bluebird Nest Boxes. I am going to put a 2' hole on one side, a swivel away door and use a jar to remove the sparrow from the trap.
HOSP control has to be a year round task to really make a dent in your local area.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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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..
Yup, don't let them build period...have a pair that built a nest in my T-8 couple days ago, shot the female tonight, male next... Disposed of two males that were in the Blaine's trap tonight..left a male and female to attract more... 
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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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Yeah as soon as I leave they take over, shoot, trap, shoot, and trap! Never let them get comfortable in my housing.
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Don Strickland
- Posts: 430
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:38 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Shady Point
New batch of Sparrows arrived..Took care of 8 of them...I like the new Marauder. Good back up for my repeating traps. All the babies have fledged. Still have several Martins sticking around though. Enjoyment isn't completely over yet...
Don
Don
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Don,
I have admired the pre-charged pneumatics like the Marauder.
I have decent accuracy with a break barrel but the recoil of the spring and the need for the artillery hold took experience and practice.
Mark.
I have admired the pre-charged pneumatics like the Marauder.
I have decent accuracy with a break barrel but the recoil of the spring and the need for the artillery hold took experience and practice.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Don Strickland
- Posts: 430
- Joined: Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:38 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Shady Point
I had two of the break barrel guns but was never able to master them. Just had to give it up and buy a rifle that was more "Old Man Friendly". The Marauder filled the bill.
Don
Don
-
4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Don,
You have to be older than 70 to say "Older Man" and over 90 to say "Old Man" in my book.
Friend of mine is a former US Army Ranger from Oklahoma. What is it about Oklahoma that forms such honorable men?
Give those HOSP misery.
Mark.
You have to be older than 70 to say "Older Man" and over 90 to say "Old Man" in my book.
Friend of mine is a former US Army Ranger from Oklahoma. What is it about Oklahoma that forms such honorable men?
Give those HOSP misery.
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
I cant even stand listening to them,they dont last long around here!
2007 2 pair 8 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
2008 4 pair 18 fledged
2009 21 pair 87 fledged
2010 44 pair 174 fledged
2011 68 pair 244 fledged
2012 82 pair 364 fledged
2013 82 pair 359 fledged
2014 86 pair 415 fledged
2015 101 pair 427 fledged
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Same here. I'm on a mission when I see one and hear one!
I can't afford to let them get comfortable here! I have to get martins!
I can't afford to let them get comfortable here! I have to get martins!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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madattiver
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:44 pm
- Location: SK/Saskatoon
- Martin Colony History: 12 unit North Star + 4 gourds
2014 - 1 pair
2015 - 1 pair
2016 - 1 pair + 1 sub male (until my female died)
2017 - 6 pair
That sound just drives a person mad! I too am battling them here. I have a decoy house with a universal trap inside and just finished making one of Brad Biddle's sparrow trap last night and set it up under a feeder. Hope the new fledged sparrows are dumb enough to fall for the trap.
Adam
Fifth Year Landlord
Fifth Year Landlord
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phldave
- Posts: 528
- Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2012 2:44 pm
- Location: Iowa/Pleasant Hill
- Martin Colony History: Started trying in 2012 and still trying
I can remember one afternoon catching 7 fledgling HOSP in this type of trap. Once one goes in the others follow just like sheep. Thin um out.
2012 late start
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
2013 nothing yet, lots a lookers
2014 Bust again
2015 Bust again
2016 Bust again
2017 Bust again
2018 April 14 a group joined me, but moved on after a week
2019 Had SY male seriously check me out but didn't stay
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Birdguy / OH
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Fri May 18, 2012 2:05 pm
- Location: Cincinnati Ohio area
I've tried pellet guns, elevator traps, funnel traps etc. to control sparrow nesting. I found the best success when I added a male sparrow song. I actually made a parabolic microphone out of a WOK cover and drove around the neighborhood recording male sparrows singing.
To capture lots of sparrows I simply catch a decoy and then place in a Biddle or funnel style cage trap.
This is all next level trapping stuff and it might not be for everyone. But it allows you to do all trapping from the ground, it targets the males and makes speedy work catching lots of HOSP.
To capture lots of sparrows I simply catch a decoy and then place in a Biddle or funnel style cage trap.
This is all next level trapping stuff and it might not be for everyone. But it allows you to do all trapping from the ground, it targets the males and makes speedy work catching lots of HOSP.
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madattiver
- Posts: 263
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 8:44 pm
- Location: SK/Saskatoon
- Martin Colony History: 12 unit North Star + 4 gourds
2014 - 1 pair
2015 - 1 pair
2016 - 1 pair + 1 sub male (until my female died)
2017 - 6 pair
Birdguy,
I would be interested in hearing how you play the sparrow song and what your setup is like. I think this would be a nice addition to many of us trapping sparrows. Any advantage we can take would be a huge asset.
I would be interested in hearing how you play the sparrow song and what your setup is like. I think this would be a nice addition to many of us trapping sparrows. Any advantage we can take would be a huge asset.
Adam
Fifth Year Landlord
Fifth Year Landlord
If you have HOSPs in your martin housing, get rid of them ASAP.
I'm not being brutal, I'm being pragmatic. HOSPs are very intelligent. They are are also ruthless.
Two years ago, I found a breeding pair of HOSPs in one of my bluebird boxes. I'd been out of town for two weeks so had been unable to monitor HOSP invasions.
I opened the box and found a nest full of baby HOSPs, just a day or two from fledging. I killed the babies in view of the adult HOSPS. I then tried to shoot the HOSPs with a pellet gun, but missed.
I went home (this one box in particular is across the road from my home.) Within half an hour, I heard a racket from one of my swallow pairs.
The HOSPs had watched me go home, then invaded a box full of Violet-green Swallows right outside my kitchen window.
Two dying VG swallow hatchlings (still naked and small ) were on the ground beneath the nest box, and the female HOSP had already installed herself in the box while the male HOSP was refusing to be budged by the adult Violet-Greens, who were attacking it. Only my intervention made the HOSPs flee, and by that time, the damage had been done.
I managed to kill both HOSPs the next day.
I am not making this up. The point being, HOSPs will 'get even'. They are smart and once they've nested in a box, will KEEP it.
Do not underestimate their intelligence. Do not underestimate their aggressiveness. I have several different types of traps, to include the one sold by the PMCA, and they ignore them. I've been pretty successful keeping them at bay by shooting them, but I can do so because I live on several acres.
I'm not being brutal, I'm being pragmatic. HOSPs are very intelligent. They are are also ruthless.
Two years ago, I found a breeding pair of HOSPs in one of my bluebird boxes. I'd been out of town for two weeks so had been unable to monitor HOSP invasions.
I opened the box and found a nest full of baby HOSPs, just a day or two from fledging. I killed the babies in view of the adult HOSPS. I then tried to shoot the HOSPs with a pellet gun, but missed.
I went home (this one box in particular is across the road from my home.) Within half an hour, I heard a racket from one of my swallow pairs.
The HOSPs had watched me go home, then invaded a box full of Violet-green Swallows right outside my kitchen window.
Two dying VG swallow hatchlings (still naked and small ) were on the ground beneath the nest box, and the female HOSP had already installed herself in the box while the male HOSP was refusing to be budged by the adult Violet-Greens, who were attacking it. Only my intervention made the HOSPs flee, and by that time, the damage had been done.
I managed to kill both HOSPs the next day.
I am not making this up. The point being, HOSPs will 'get even'. They are smart and once they've nested in a box, will KEEP it.
Do not underestimate their intelligence. Do not underestimate their aggressiveness. I have several different types of traps, to include the one sold by the PMCA, and they ignore them. I've been pretty successful keeping them at bay by shooting them, but I can do so because I live on several acres.
The best thing to do on a golf course is a gallop!