I recently wrote the PMCA about the subject of Sparrow control. This has been such a heated discussion on the Forum and I was curious what the actual viewpoint was. Here is the response that was given to me.
PMCA recommends that Purple Martin landlords control European Starlings and
House Sparrows at martin colonies, however, we do not believe that lethal
control is the only acceptable means. It is most effective, but for those
landlords who are not comfortable with lethal control, alternative means to
protect martins from starlings and sparrows are available, for example,
harassment, removing nests, and using starling resistant entrance holes.
Transport and release is another alternative, but is not preferred, because
often the birds return to the capture site, and those that do not can become
a nuisance at the release site.
Finally, the PMCA does not believe that persons who choose not to use lethal
methods to control starlings and house sparrows can not be good, effective
and respectable landlords.
We hope that knowing our beliefs on this issue helps allay your concerns
about what others might believe on the issue.
Sincerely,
John Tautin
Purple Martin Conservation Association
Tom Ridge Environmental Center
301 Peninsula Drive, Ste. 6
Erie, PA 16505
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (814) 833-7656
Fax: (814) 833-2451
Web: http://purplemartin.org
PMCA Viewpoint On S&S Control
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Sandy - NC
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:40 pm
- Location: Rocky Mount, NC
I'll agree with what they said, but take note of this statement also, just so you and others don't overlook it.
"Transport and release is another alternative, but is not preferred, because
often the birds return to the capture site, and those that do not can become
a nuisance at the release site."
And this is exactly the point I was trying to make in my other posts. If you want to clip feathers, tails, and wings, that is fine, just keep them in your yard.
"Transport and release is another alternative, but is not preferred, because
often the birds return to the capture site, and those that do not can become
a nuisance at the release site."
And this is exactly the point I was trying to make in my other posts. If you want to clip feathers, tails, and wings, that is fine, just keep them in your yard.
Well heck, now I'M leaving the forum (just kidding, and no offense intended). Emil come back please.
Short of a falconer wanting live birds, I don't see anything near as effective as trapping and transport when constrained from lethal control in a public setting.
Which leads to "well then, you shouldn't keep martins there". I disagree.
Of course, if they DO return to the area, in those cases the most common objection is somewhat moot as they are, well, returning to the area. We have found this to be true about half the time with starlings. We have never had a tail-docked sparrow return. We are talking a ~15 mile transport here.
At our particular site, our little 8" round-hole Carrols (no longer commercially available), S&K porch-flush-with-the-entrance crescents, and the excellent WDC modified excluder (thank you Sandy) have not yet had starling problems. Plus I have great hopes for the plain Natureline crescent, which we are trying for the first time this year.
(watch, 'cause I posted that, now we'll prob'ly get a kazillion starlings).
No house sparrow problems yet this year either, which is typical for our site. Despite the large house sparrow population on campus, invading male sparrows haven't been a problem for us until later in the season, perhaps after the martins settle into the business of breeding and become less defensive of the housing.
Next ones I catch I'll clip their tails and release 'em on site, maybe for sparrows in particular, the loss of that tail so prominently cocked in display will ruin their "mac" routine enough that they'll get discouraged.
Obviously, this is an issue that concerns me personally a great deal, and is perhaps a fertile area for inquiry given my experience that the issue of lethal control turns off a great many prospective landlords.
I'll keep folks posted.
Mike Scully
Short of a falconer wanting live birds, I don't see anything near as effective as trapping and transport when constrained from lethal control in a public setting.
Which leads to "well then, you shouldn't keep martins there". I disagree.
Of course, if they DO return to the area, in those cases the most common objection is somewhat moot as they are, well, returning to the area. We have found this to be true about half the time with starlings. We have never had a tail-docked sparrow return. We are talking a ~15 mile transport here.
At our particular site, our little 8" round-hole Carrols (no longer commercially available), S&K porch-flush-with-the-entrance crescents, and the excellent WDC modified excluder (thank you Sandy) have not yet had starling problems. Plus I have great hopes for the plain Natureline crescent, which we are trying for the first time this year.
(watch, 'cause I posted that, now we'll prob'ly get a kazillion starlings).
No house sparrow problems yet this year either, which is typical for our site. Despite the large house sparrow population on campus, invading male sparrows haven't been a problem for us until later in the season, perhaps after the martins settle into the business of breeding and become less defensive of the housing.
Next ones I catch I'll clip their tails and release 'em on site, maybe for sparrows in particular, the loss of that tail so prominently cocked in display will ruin their "mac" routine enough that they'll get discouraged.
Obviously, this is an issue that concerns me personally a great deal, and is perhaps a fertile area for inquiry given my experience that the issue of lethal control turns off a great many prospective landlords.
I'll keep folks posted.
Mike Scully
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CUL Lou~Mich
Wow. Obviously there's a lot of folks who have a lot more money than I do, or their gasoline is a lot cheaper. Here (Yesterday, April 1st 2006 @ 10:15ish AM) it was $2.75 9/10 per gallon. That's one heck of a lot more than I'm willing to use for "Transporting" EUST and EHS 15 miles or more. Personally, I've got lots better things to use that gasoline for. Like going to work, going to the grocery store, going to see my grand kids, etc, etc. Plus, in my mind, it's a pitiful waste of our resources. That's my stand on the issue. CUL Lou
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Guest
I had 2 paragraphs typed out, carefully worded so as to be mild, friendly, positive, and unoffensive.... but after I finished I realized that it had all been said before and anything I added was beating a dead horse. This subject is getting boring. I gotta quit clicking these HOSP threads.
Ian
Ian
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Sandy - NC
- Posts: 617
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 6:40 pm
- Location: Rocky Mount, NC
You are very welcome, Mike.