We have about eight pairs of PMs in residence in a new twelve apartment house. This is our first season in the Texas hill country. Sparrows are invading and I successfully shot one female (I think), but, now there are more. The PMs and sparrows seem to be getting along together, but, I'm concerned about the wisdom of leaving them to their own resources. I've checked out some links on this forum to traps, etc. Should we do whatever necessary to get rid of the sparrows?
Thanx. Nice to have found this neat and useful forum.
Another Sparrow Question.
Sid,
Yes, get rid of the sparrows at all cost. There was a time when I thought as long as I had empty compartments and the sparrows and martins got along, there was no harm. The sparrows, without provocation, destroyed 2 clutches of martin eggs that year. It was a fiasco. Get rid of them...and good luck.
Patrick
Yes, get rid of the sparrows at all cost. There was a time when I thought as long as I had empty compartments and the sparrows and martins got along, there was no harm. The sparrows, without provocation, destroyed 2 clutches of martin eggs that year. It was a fiasco. Get rid of them...and good luck.
Patrick
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CUL Lou~Mich
Sid. Yes, whatever it takes, short of blowing the house up. ha ha. Just make sure they are in fact English House Sparrows. There are several native Sparrows, and they are protected, and NOT a problem. The only one that's a problem is EHS, or European Starlings. CUL Lou
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CUL Lou~Mich
Sid. Yes, whatever it takes, short of blowing the house up. ha ha. Just make sure they are in fact English House Sparrows. There are several native Sparrows, and they are protected, and NOT a problem. The only two that are problems are EHS, or European Starlings. CUL Lou
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Just know that male house sparrow revenge syndrome is very real. If you pull out nests and don't remove the male, he'll take revenge, both breaking up martin nests and aggressive fighting with martins. With his vise like beak, he can really do harm to even adult martins. His testosterone rises as the season progresses. Without provocation, it's probably unmated male sparrows that do the most snooping around and breaking eggs. No, not saying do nothing -- but be very cautious at this point in the season.
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Guest
IF I'm not mistaking, native Sparrows are not cavity nesters. Just check and make sure. You know the difference between a "song" Sparrow and house sparrows when you here it!!
Chuck
Chuck
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Guest
Sid,I just found the reason today why I lost my first pair of martins.After many nest checks and removal of sparrow nest I neglected to inspect thourouly my own martin nest.What a big mistake!!!!!! I found two additional sparrow eggs in my martin nest,wich caused my pair to abandon my site.I would recommend to elimanate any bird who attempts to sit on your martin house at this point.
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Guest
My thanks to all you fine people who have been so kind in sharing your experiences and advice. The sparrow I shot last week was a female and the male has a new mate - just as John (?) suggested. Just a half-hour ago I spotted (with a spotting scope) the male attempting to mount the female right on the vestibule of the Martin home! Got one shot off (22 caliber) but missed. I'll be back here with my progress, or, lack thereof.