Question about house finches in a PM House

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Hi
Yesterday I was off work early and while in my back yard, I had 6 PM checking out my two houses. Last year on April 15th my 1st pair arrived. AnywayI had 6 PM checking things out and I noticed a pair of what my Wife called House Finches sitting on my Coates Wateredge. I also have a Treo castle. I pulled down the house after the PM left and found the makings of a nest in a very early stage. Any ideas? Last year we fledged 4 babies and other than the sparrows and starlings trying to bug me, it all went well and definetely we had no problems with House Finches. Hopefully the PM will run them off eventually when they return. I am open for thoughts or suggestions.
Thanks
Jim
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CurtWelling
Posts: 185
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Versailles, KY

I had house finches build a nest and lay eggs in my PM house my first year. They did abandon the nest after the martins became active.

These are legally protected birds. Luckily, I don't think they bother martins or compete with them much.
Curt Welling
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CUL Lou~Mich

Jim Y. Technically, it's illegal to even mess with House Finch, as is messing with PMs, or BBs, such as nest checks. That said, I would NOT allow any bird other than PMs to build in a PM house. (This is just me mind you.) I'd think after tearing out their nest a couple of times, they'd leave. I've seen folks write that they tore out HF nests, then put up a hanging flower basket, and the HF moved right over, build a nest, laid eggs, and fledged babies. I've never saw this, but I wouldn't doubt others word either. I've seen too many talk about it. BTW, it'd probably be more fun for you if you were familiar with what kinds of birds you were seeing. You might do a www.google.com search for Bird Identification, then look up House Finch. Then you wouldn't have to ask wifey. Unless she likes to be asked, then it'd be fine. CUL Lou
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CUL Lou
My Wife was with me when we discovered this and she is also a big part of our PM hobby. I did not have to run and ask her which I believe you percieved that. The finchs have been nesting in our flower baskets out on the front porch but we discovered a morning dove has decided that is her area now. I also know which birds are protected. Thanks for telling me all that though :) Sound like some more hanging flower baskets are in order though.

CurtWelling
Thanks for the info as well.
Jim
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