Nest Identification
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Guest
I have a new 8-compartment martin house put up late last year, so this was the first year I could potentially have had martins. I've seen many in the area but not specifically at my house. When I opened it a few days ago to clean out any nests, I found just one, which filled the compartment top, bottom, and sides with sticks and feathers, leaving just a small cavity in the center. Is this how martins nest? If not, what kind of bird may have built it? I have seen sparrows on and around the house.
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Donnie Hurdt MN
- Posts: 1723
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:14 pm
- Location: North Prairie, MN
Yup, you raised a brood of sparrows. Your description fits a sparrows nest very well. Keep the sparrows away and maby next year the martins will nest there.
PMCA member and Martin fanatic....
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
2011 A pair of subbies fledged three young but none returned in 2012
2015 One Pair of subbies came and stayed a few nits but got chased away by Bluebirds and Tree swallows.
2017 0ne pair of subbies nested and fledged 4 young
2018 Tree Swallows AGAIN chased away any martins that wanted to nest
2019 Same old story................
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John Atteberry
I just moved from St. Louis, Mo. a year ago and lived there all my life! I live in Florida now! What part of St. Louis do you live in? I used to live in Afton, mo. by Grant's Farm! Let me know and I'll try to help you to get started if I knew your area! Thanks John!
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CUL Lou~Mich
John B. Definately an English House Sparrow nest. Martins build a rather skimpy nest that's flat, with some small sticks, pine needles, and grasses. I'm told the female (Purple Martin) will get into the nest, and twirl around, thus making the nest rounded. If you'll control the EHS, you could very well have PMs where you are. Keep in mind here, there is only ONE Sparrow, that's legal to eliminate. The EHS, since it is imported, and considered by most everyone to be a pest. Purple Martin, and Blue Bird societies, and some Natural Resources departments recommend eliminating the EHS. One can buy a trap, or if it's legal, and SAFE to shoot, then one can use this as a method of controlling them. There are several types of Sparrow though, so make sure you know what you are eliminating. Good Luck next year. CUL Lou
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Guest
Thanks for the info, everyone. I will try next year to do nest-checks and remove sparrow nests if they haven't hatched yet. I couldn't bear to kill any birds, even if most consider them pests.
John A., we live in Maryland Heights. I grew up in Affton. The St. Louis question -- what high school did you attend? I was Affton High, class of 76.
John A., we live in Maryland Heights. I grew up in Affton. The St. Louis question -- what high school did you attend? I was Affton High, class of 76.
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John Atteberry
Well, I guess I should of told you! I'm 37 and I was born and raised in Troy, Mo. and then finished school in Elsberry, Mo. Both towns are just north of St. Louis, Mo. But I moved to St. Louis in 1995! I been around and to St. Louis all my life! So that's more of the story! That part of St. Louis you live in, has open areas! How far is your martin house from trees, your house, other buildings and etc.? It sounds like a sparrow nest too, that lived in your house! Are you by Hwy 40 or on the other side by Hwy. 270? There is a country part of Maryland Heights too that I know of! Do you live near water? Pond or creek? Just trying to brainstorm of what your location might be like! Let me know? John!