Other native birds in the yard

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Dan G
Posts: 446
Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
Location: PA/Bellefonte
Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
2026- no pairs. One daily SYM here daily. Named him Riggs!

Maybe since i have become so interested in martins, i have began to notice other birds that have been around all along, but I'm wondering if I've helped them too, by eliminating so many of the HS and starlings. There are still some around, but they are learning that this is a no fly zone. We have had blue birds nesting the past couple years, an in addition i have seen tree swallows around, although i don't think they ever nested here despite offering several house. Recently a pair of nuthatches were here and i saw one black capped chickadee.

Unfortunately, my neighbor has put out several blue bird/tree swallow houses but they are 'raising' house sparrows in all of them. I have tried to educate them, but they will not even tear out the nests, let alone eliminate them. More target practice for me i guess. They dont like me eliminating them, and I've politely told him to train his sparrows not to come over to visit. :evil:
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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Matt F.
Posts: 3978
Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:48 am
Location: Houston, TX

I understand your frustration Dan.
Your neighbor might benefit from seeing some of these photos of carnage caused by house sparrows:
http://www.sialis.org/hospattacks.htm

I'm meaning to get in touch with the Sialis.org folks, to find out if it's okay to printout that page, for the purpose of educating people that have Bluebird, and/or Martin housing, that is overrun with house sparrows.
In reference to Martins, I think the combination of educating folks about the wonderful aspects of Martins, and why they would love to have them in their yard, along with educating them about house sparrows and starlings, including showing them graphic photos of what these birds do on a regular basis to other, gentle songbirds, would be a great approach.
Hearts and minds............
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JohnT
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2011 4:01 pm
Location: Indiana/Odon

Dan G wrote: I'm wondering if I've helped them too, by eliminating so many of the HS and starlings.
Since I declared all-out, take no prisoners war on house sparrows and starlings, I see a lot of birds I had never even seen anywhere in the wild. Bluebirds, cardinals, blue jays, white crowned sparrows and finches are plentiful. Tree sparrows, juncos, black capped chickadees, downy woodpeckers, red bellied woodpeckers, and fly catchers are common. I've seen rose-breasted grosbeaks, northern flickers, fox sparrows, yellow bellied sapsuckers, hairy woodpeckers and a bunch of others.
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