(I think I already know the answer from some forum members; shooting and trapping enthusists. )
I had a neighbor a few doors down who had a nest box up. She was unable to maintain it durning the season because she could not lower it all the way down. This made me decide to try Martins.
I put up a Trio Grandpa in 2003, and before I could play my Dawn Song tape I had Martins. I have been an active landlord ever since. My first year I had a Sparrow repeatedly building a nest that I would dispose of often. When this didn't really work, I trapped and removed a female. (Sorry I couldn't kill it. Took it to a park about 5 miles away) I did not have any more problems with them the rest of the season. Even though I see S&S all around my suburban Dallas home, I have seen no effects of them on my colony (Plenty of Martin pairs, good size clutches, no punctured eggs, and good fledgling rates.) Should I still try to trap and dispose(ugh!!) of them?
What to do with S&S
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Guest
I want you to know that I had a similar sparrow experience. We got rid of a specific individual hell bent, on capturing, our Blue Bird Houses. That did it! We must have sent some kind, of a message. There has not been a single sparrow return, to that house site.
I suggest that any sparrow or starling removed is good management.
I suggest that any sparrow or starling removed is good management.
Purplelady,
I know how distasteful it is for some to think of "permanently" disposing of sparrows and starlings. I used to take the laid back approach. I figured the martins didn't fill up all the compartments anyway and as long as they were co-existing peacefully, what was the harm? The harm was an adult female martin pecked to death by starlings. The harm was 2 whole clutches of eggs destroyed. They weren't content to live and let live. It's still a battle, even with regular trapping. There's always another sparrow waiting to take the place of the one I just trapped. But I won't let up, won't allow a pair of sparrows to becomes bonded to my site and wreak that kind havoc. My hope is that as the sub-adults move in, the sparrows won't have a strong enough bond to my site and the martins can displace them. As long as I see nesting attempts, I'll trap.
Best of luck,
Patrick
I know how distasteful it is for some to think of "permanently" disposing of sparrows and starlings. I used to take the laid back approach. I figured the martins didn't fill up all the compartments anyway and as long as they were co-existing peacefully, what was the harm? The harm was an adult female martin pecked to death by starlings. The harm was 2 whole clutches of eggs destroyed. They weren't content to live and let live. It's still a battle, even with regular trapping. There's always another sparrow waiting to take the place of the one I just trapped. But I won't let up, won't allow a pair of sparrows to becomes bonded to my site and wreak that kind havoc. My hope is that as the sub-adults move in, the sparrows won't have a strong enough bond to my site and the martins can displace them. As long as I see nesting attempts, I'll trap.
Best of luck,
Patrick
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Guest
Patrick,
As I mentioned I have seen no sign of damage from Sparrows, and I've never seen startlings at my martin house. I think because my neighbor couldn't maintain her house, I may have inherited some of her adults. I have seen my Martins aggressively defend their sites.
PurpleLady
As I mentioned I have seen no sign of damage from Sparrows, and I've never seen startlings at my martin house. I think because my neighbor couldn't maintain her house, I may have inherited some of her adults. I have seen my Martins aggressively defend their sites.
PurpleLady
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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
PurpleLady, it may be distasteful to destroy the starlings & sparrows, but that is really the best way to go. Many people do exactly what you are doing, and then later they find dead martins or bluebirds, pecked eggs etc. Then they really get upset, and then they change their mind and start destroying the starlings and sparrows. I hope that this does not happen to you however. It seemed like we all learn the hard way, as I have..
The starlings and sparrows destroy, take nests away and reduce the population of our beautiful native American birds. I wish there was a way to eliminate all of the S&S, but that is impossible, so I do it one at a time...I really hope you enjoy the martins.
The starlings and sparrows destroy, take nests away and reduce the population of our beautiful native American birds. I wish there was a way to eliminate all of the S&S, but that is impossible, so I do it one at a time...I really hope you enjoy the martins.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Carlton
- Posts: 1959
- Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Florida/Deerfield Beach
- Martin Colony History: I moved to South Florida, from Delaware, in August of 2015.
I care for a 6 condo Sunset House as well as two Deluxe Gourd Racks, with 24 Chirpynest/Excluder gourds, along a canal in Pompano Beach, Florida.
At Quiet Waters Park, nearby in Deerfield Beach, I care for a Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 TVG's. I also care for a Deluxe Gourd rack with 12 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder entrances. I am substituting 6 Chirpynest boxes for 6 of the Conley II entranced gourds in 2026.
At another local park, Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, I care for a Trendsetter 12, 5 gourds rack with 60 Excluder gourds with Modified Excluder Entrances and 1 Deluxe Gourd Rack with 12 Troyer Vertical Gourds with Starling Stoppers over the Conley II's to keep out smaller starlings.
I learned last season that even one male house sparrow, acting alone, can completely destroy any chances of getting martins to nest. A house sparrow is EXTREMELY aggressive and claims the ENTIRE rack of gourds as his own. It does not seem possible that one little bird can do this but believe me it is a fact. I was not able to rid the gourds of his presence until it was too late as he refused to be trapped. I had many SY martins approach and sit on the gourds and bars only to be repeatedly attacked and chased off by this aggressive house sparrow.
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Guest
I understand the need to destroy S&S. As I mentioned I did repeatedly remove a nest that a male sparrow had made. When that didn't stop him, I trapped and removed a female sparrow. But I have not seen ANY signs of them at my martin house in the past three years, except maybe sitting on the outside singing. If I were ever to see signs like a nest or damage I would set a trap. Do I need to be setting a trap if I see no signs of their interest in my site?
PurpleLady
PurpleLady