First martins
I put my martin house up three years ago. Last weekend the first martins have been looking at my house. For the last three years, I have been trying to keep the sparrows away by removing their nests. My question is should I leave the sparrows alone while the martins are present?
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
Get rid of them. The spring loaded trap bated with feathers is great. GEt a NB trap too. Shoot any straglers. DO NOT underestimate them.
Sparrows and starlings will kill the martin...eliminate! eliminate! eliminate! sooner than later!
2007 none
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
2008 few landed
2009 - 2 pair - 9 eggs- 9 fledged
2010 - 1ASY pair and 4SY pair total 10 bird
2011 first ASY pair May 06
2012 first pair arrived May 01, May 21 total 10 pairs 49 babies
2013 May 04 martins 2 pair May 19 total 12 pair
2014 May 08 2 pair May 12 almost full 10 pair
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AnnieM
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 3:57 pm
- Location: Spring Branch/Canyon Lake ~ Mystic Shores, Comal County, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 28 - 17 pair
2017 - Full house for first time. 24 gourds all occupied. :-)
Hey Rocky Top, Several on the forum recommend against pulling nests out (sparrow "rage") plus they are still around and just start rebuilding again. Instead, let them build the nest and when it is pretty well established, then set your trap. Reason, once they are 'committed' to the nest building, you are less likely to push them off to another gourd/house. It takes more patience that way, but for me, results in a higher success rate. And now you have eliminated a HOSP that won't just start another nest.
Some also recommend waiting until they lay eggs and then set trap, but I don't have THAT much patience.
Besides I'm worried they will injure the martins.
As others mentioned, get rid of them now. Don't wait. Look at the forum videos of HOSP damage if you are hesitant.
Some also recommend waiting until they lay eggs and then set trap, but I don't have THAT much patience.
Besides I'm worried they will injure the martins.As others mentioned, get rid of them now. Don't wait. Look at the forum videos of HOSP damage if you are hesitant.
PMCA Member
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
2012 - 4 pair
2013 - 11 pair
2014 - 12 pair
2015 - 14 pair
2016 - Arrival Feb 29/17 pair
2017 - Full house first time-24 gourds all occupied
AnnieM wrote:Hey Rocky Top, Several on the forum recommend against pulling nests out (sparrow "rage") plus they are still around and just start rebuilding again. Instead, let them build the nest and when it is pretty well established, then set your trap. Reason, once they are 'committed' to the nest building, you are less likely to push them off to another gourd/house. It takes more patience that way, but for me, results in a higher success rate. And now you have eliminated a HOSP that won't just start another nest.
Some also recommend waiting until they lay eggs and then set trap, but I don't have THAT much patience.
As others mentioned, get rid of them now. Don't wait. Look at the forum videos of HOSP damage if you are hesitant.
Thanks everyone for helping me.
Annie I don't know how I would trap the HOSP with their nest already in the house, but I ma going work on it.