Last year I had a three Martins (2) female and they took on any house sparrows easily. This year, I had 2 visitors. Guests are having no time figuring out the SREH - combine this all while getting scolded and bullied by house sparrows so I can see why they leave. There are about 4 sparrows that have 2 cavities I find 1/2 filled literally every day in the two PM nesting areas I had last year. I'm trying desperately to shoot them with my pellet gun, but have already cracked the paint on one of my Goliad porches. Argh. I'm thinking of closing up my house since no PMs seem to want to visit. Your thoughts on that stupid idea; or perhaps I'm looking into that sparrow trap I found online through Chucks PM page. My first martins didn't arrive until June last year anyway.
Thanks all; I was SO proud of what I have done here; now this.
House Sparrows - Close Up House for Awhile?
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skw158
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon May 02, 2016 7:14 am
- Location: South Ottawa, IL
- Martin Colony History: I started as a landlord three years ago, but grew up in a family that always treasured purple martins for decades. I live in North Central Illinois where I can enjoy their company from April through August.
Goliad Lone Star 8 room, crescent
2015: (My First Year) 2 Females, 5 eggs, 4 fledglings (1 did not hatch) (Arrived Late)
2016. 2 Females, 6 eggs, 4 fledglings ( 2 did not hatch)
2017. 3 Females, 12 eggs, 11 fledglings. (1 fledgling died, unknown reasons, looked otherwise healthy)
PMCA Member.
2015: (My First Year) 2 Females, 5 eggs, 4 fledglings (1 did not hatch) (Arrived Late)
2016. 2 Females, 6 eggs, 4 fledglings ( 2 did not hatch)
2017. 3 Females, 12 eggs, 11 fledglings. (1 fledgling died, unknown reasons, looked otherwise healthy)
PMCA Member.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
House sparrows cause us so much stress...
Please don't close up the housing...just do what you are doing. Maybe put some traction tape in front of the SREH holes to help the martins.
If these are aluminum SREH entries, they should be to spec and martins will eventually figure it out. You could...just something to try...order a couple of light-weight natural gourds from the PMCA with round holes and hang with wire below the housing late May...starling pressure will be less and sparrows should leave alone as they are bonded to the house. Just something to try to keep the martins this year.
John
Please don't close up the housing...just do what you are doing. Maybe put some traction tape in front of the SREH holes to help the martins.
If these are aluminum SREH entries, they should be to spec and martins will eventually figure it out. You could...just something to try...order a couple of light-weight natural gourds from the PMCA with round holes and hang with wire below the housing late May...starling pressure will be less and sparrows should leave alone as they are bonded to the house. Just something to try to keep the martins this year.
John