Many years ago, I offered both gourds and houses to my martins. When I had both, the house sparrows definitely preferred the houses. When I switched to 100% gourds, the sparrows happily nested in the gourds.
What is your experience. If offered both houses and gourds in the same colony, do house sparrows prefer one over the other?
If given a choice, do HS have a preference
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Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Gary, just in my personal experience, if both are offered, house sparrows focus more on houses than gourds.
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GaryU
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:49 pm
- Location: PA/Transfer
- Martin Colony History: 1st year....just visitors.
2nd ......praying!.......prayers answered 5/28/16 with 10 couples and lots of 1st year males. Making improvements and planning for 2017 and beyond.
3rd year.....all compartments on both poles (28 + 18) and planning on 18 more for 2018.
2018 added gourd rack (18 gourds)
4th/5th/6th year ......established colony.
2022 added 2 new poles with polywood T-14’s. Filled up 1st year in use.
2025 adding 3 new poles with polywood T-14’s +12 gourds.
Total: 8 poles, 84 T-14 compartments, 64 gourds. (148 nest cavities)
This is my first year, I have a T-14 wi8 gourds and not one nest in the gourds. I have plan on putting tunnels on for next season. I'm sure they will inhabit either and depends on what is available. I like Toyotas but if the price is right I will take a Ford too. Gary U
Kill all house sparrow and starlings let God sort them out!
Kill all house sparrow and starlings let God sort them out!