Destroying Starling Nest ??

[Hanover Bill]

As my SREH entrance holes are doing little to discourage these new smaller, more streamlined Starlings from entering my housing I am wondering about the consequences of tearing out their nest and destroying the eggs. Do they possess the same revenge gene that male HOSP do when their nests are destroyed. I figure I'm safe doing it right now since the Martins are not nest building, or egg laying yet, but what will the consequences be if a nest is destroyed when there are active Martin nests.

I am always taking pot shots at them, but my eyesight isn't what it used to be so misses are the norm for that type of irradication.

Hanover Bill.

[flyin-lowe]

They are very skittish and hard to shoot. I have only ever had one breach my SREH and I used one of the gourd traps and took care of him quickly. Unfortunately I am not sure how they respond to nest tear outs. If you haven't already I would raise the floor of the porch up so it is flush with the bottom of the opening.

[Spiderman]

Trapping is more effective than shooting.

Van Ert trap mounted on a pole very near your Martin colony (same height) will eliminate any Starling worries.

Your never really done with them until they are gone.

[ken buker]

Destroying starling nests

I too have noticed more starlings breeching STE’s here in the Pacific Northwest. I have employed many types of entrapment over the years including my repeater trap that has captured a couple hundred starlings, but surprisingly they get wise to that as well. I’ve trapped them using traps designed for each of my gourd types and though very effective, they also entrap inquisitive martins and swallows as well, plus in my case require lowering the rack to inspect the cavity. Since I incorporate owl protection on all of my gourds some of the traps will not work once the owl guards are installed.
So over the years, I’ve discovered the most effective method of starling control is the following:

I watch my racks very carefully. Once I’ve observed a starling breech, I continue monitoring that cavity. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Starlings are fairly territorial and once claim a cavity will for the most part keep other starlings away and prevent others from claiming another cavity. Believe me, their presence bothers me more than it bothers the martins. I then watch and monitor their nest, allow them to lay and incubate a clutch of eggs. Once the chicks hatch and are around 14 days old, I humanely remove and destroy them. I do not remove the nest. Surprisingly the old nest is perfect for SY birds and actually gives them a head start for their breeding season. Rarely have I had a starling nest remain unoccupied by martins.

Removing the nest prematurely just encourages them to find a new cavity often in the same rack. I have removed eggs in the past only to have the female lay a second (though smaller) clutch in the same nest. Removing the nestlings early promotes the female to start over somewhere else, and successfully raise a batch of new starlings. Removing the nestlings just before fledging seems to interrupt their breeding season and minimizes chances of a successful season.

I’ve entertained the thought of shooting them, but I don’t own a gun so my method is successful for me and my colony.

Ken Buker
Silver Lake, WA.

[Larry A Kronemeyer]

Make sure the floor or porch is no more than 1/8" to bottom of shreh. Starlings cannot bend to this measurement, no matter what size the Starling. The Martins can as their legs bend differently.

[Hanover Bill]

As always, thanks for the great advice to all of the respondents. I will incorporate some of those ideas to deal with my Starling issue.

Hanover Bill.

[Jones4381]

I'll second that...on the hard to shoot part. I think I've missed 7 or 8 this year at least and gotten 3 (2 with shotgun when I popped out on them at close range). I did finally cover up my last round hole gourds and noticed today that they didn't seem as interested as the previous 4-5 days as I was seeing 5 or 6 at a time come in...walk outside and they scatter. wily bird...I'm going to take the advise from others in here and beef up my SREH. Good luck to all.