May Not

[DelmaWhisenhunt]

May never get martins, but I sure felt good this afternoon when the young man that helps with my yard work, lowered the martin house and took out a huge sparrow nest full of eggs. It was full of all kinds of feathers, ribbons, bright paper and they immediately started carrying in again. I will be gone several days so expect the same will happen, but sure took care of a few that won't hatch.

[bwenger]

Hang in there Delma and keep trying. Your day may come. That's great getting rid of some house sparrows.

Bill

[DelmaWhisenhunt]

Martins are coming often to the house in the front yard, but sparrows to deal with, the house in the back yard they have to deal with the blue birds. I can't seem to win for losing, so am just enjoying seeing them fly over, light on highline wire and sing.

[razman]

pulling a sparrow nest out periodically is NOT going to deter the sparrows...you have to terminate them! if you are serious about getting martins, this is a must.

[DelmaWhisenhunt]

I know you are right, but I am not capable of waging a war very effective on the sparrows, but removing a nest full of eggs took care of a few. Yes, if I were phycially capable, I would certainly declare the battle to be on going.

[Stephen Thomas]

Delma,

I pulled out 3 nests with eggs by the same pair. The last time I tore out the nest I left the eggs in an empty gourd. I guess they didn't like that so they left. Haven't seen them since.

Good luck with getting your first martins.

[Sam Harris]

Delma, I noticed you said you have a house in the front yard and one in the backyard. I think if you put the houses beside each other in either the front or backyard (the area with less trees) it might help. I didnt start getting martins till I put up a second house next to the first one. I think martins like to be close to each other. Now I have 3 Trios all next to each other. 2 of them have gourds under them. I have five pair this year with 30 eggs.

[razman]

i think she only has one house Sam...but i agree, i didn't get any takers til i put up multiple houses..

[R Onnen]

Sounds to me like theres a house in front and in the back yard, and I think it would be better if they were closer together. I am going to add a second house for next year and Sam, now I know they can be fairly close together! Thanks

Rod

[Sam Harris]

I had to put them close together because the layout of my yard. This was the only area away from trees. The closest tree is still 35 feet but it is not very tall. They have good flyways and a large field with a pond behind my yard.