just caught my first starling of the year. I have 2 repeating traps and the nesting checks must be starting. my barn cats love my starling traps as they finally get to catch a bird as i defeather one wing and throw them toward a cat. country re cycling of a bad problem.
no martins yet thank god as its way to cold. probably about 3 weeks still before they show up.
starling season in missouri
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
None of our cats would eat a starling, they may catch it and kill it but let it lay, and the same with the dogs...both cats and dogs will quickly eat the sparrows...the starlings must stink, they sure don't like them
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Darryl Sparlin
- Posts: 167
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:01 pm
- Location: Webb City, Mo
Where exactly is Fristoe? I've lived all of my life in Mo and don't recall
the name. I've been catching quite a few starling's and sparrows since
January. But the weather has been much cooler here the past couple of
weeks and they have slowed way down. I'm hoping the martins will wait
at least another week or two before they return as I'm not prepared at all. Last season I had my first martin on Feb 20th. I've been under the weather and don't have any of the houses or gourds ready. So I have much to do. Hope everyone has a great year.
the name. I've been catching quite a few starling's and sparrows since
January. But the weather has been much cooler here the past couple of
weeks and they have slowed way down. I'm hoping the martins will wait
at least another week or two before they return as I'm not prepared at all. Last season I had my first martin on Feb 20th. I've been under the weather and don't have any of the houses or gourds ready. So I have much to do. Hope everyone has a great year.
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Craig Haddox
- Posts: 444
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
- Location: Missouri Washington
Ozarkbill, I'm in Northern Franklin County and there are plenty of starlings here. I trapped 3 starlings today and around 15 in the last 2 weeks. My first martins arrive around the middle of March. Good luck this year.
it is by warsaw south of there on #65 hwy. by truman lake. i have had scouts before this in years past but the cold sure would get them this year. about 3 weeks from now should be good. i have lots of starlings around the farm but haven't noticed any nesting behavior before this. Red wings just showed up so spring is near.
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Guest
Hi fellow Missourians!
It is still way too cold so its good we have another month or so until the martins show. We are getting some starling and sparrow visitors though, and taking care of them as we can.
Those of you trapping starlings, what kind of trap are you using?
It is still way too cold so its good we have another month or so until the martins show. We are getting some starling and sparrow visitors though, and taking care of them as we can.
Those of you trapping starlings, what kind of trap are you using?
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Craig Haddox
- Posts: 444
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
- Location: Missouri Washington
Ren920, I have been catching most of my starlings with the ST-1 sparrow trap using pieces of suet and pieces of bread. I have also been catching a few with a nest box trap. When the weather warms up I expect the nest box trap to catch the most. Good luck this year.
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Eddie McKnight
- Posts: 189
- Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2003 7:02 am
- Location: Moncks Corner, SC
With doubt.... I built one of the tipping can traps with the PVC downspout weekend before last. With doubt, placed it on a pole right beside a tree (where martins don't go). With excitement have caught 4 starlings this week. Had to place a 1.5 inch hole for bluebirds to get out of the bottom cage, don't have any sparrows.
Everyone should build one of these. I used scraps from my workshop and fishing leads for the weights. It's a no brainer, and my doubts are vanished!!!
My chocolate lab has gotten used to it, so when I get home from work, if there is a starling in the bottom cage, she leads me from the car to the trap... She knows what happens next......
Everyone should build one of these. I used scraps from my workshop and fishing leads for the weights. It's a no brainer, and my doubts are vanished!!!
My chocolate lab has gotten used to it, so when I get home from work, if there is a starling in the bottom cage, she leads me from the car to the trap... She knows what happens next......
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CUL Lou~Mich
Eddie. Glad you put a 1 1/2 inch hole in the bottom to release Bbs. I've done the same thing with mine. I figure even if I lose a couple of EHS, I'll get them another day. If one of the BBs is trapped all day, and dies, I'll never be able to regain it. I'll lose a few EHS to save BBs any day. Every decent day, I see both BBs, and EHS looking for homes, and I got a pair of EHS yesterday. Trapped them both at one time in my manually tripped trap. They are now on their way to the garbage dump. Re your chocolate Lab. And folks call dogs dumb. ha ha. NOT. CUL Lou