Unusual Blaine Trap Experience

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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

Today I saw a FHOSP jump on the elevator but she just could not find her way into the holding cage.
While she had the elevator lowered, another HOSP hopped over the lowered elevator onto the feeding tray. I thought this one would get caught on the way back but hopped over the lowered elevator onto the perch.
The other one finally got the flap open & got into the holding cage.
Now there is a FHOSP who is training for the Olympics :eek: She consistently hops long distance from the perch to the feeding tray easily clearing the elevator bar. She actually looks at the bar. I have seen her do it several times.
I had noted the seed in the feeding tray was gone & wondered how that happened. Now I know.
I wonder if she is the one who escaped getting caught when the other one was in the lowered elevator.
Short of catching her in a nest box trap Anyone have an idea?

Ok on another note still about HOSP: As soon as my yard becomes void of HOSP there seems to be a call that goes out; "Calling all HSOP. Come one Come all, 100% Vacancy. All welcome. Free lodging" :twisted: :evil: :evil:
So now these males come to check out nest boxes & become determined to use the Martins boxes.
I just don't understand it. There are 2 6x6 boxes with sparrow sized holes, would never be bothered by Martins. These boxes come complete with a trap! Just don't understand why they would not be happy to adopt these boxes :?: Little noncooperative thugs :!: :roll: LOL Never Ending Quest
Okie
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Lighten your elevator to trigger more easily - that may or may not help. Try putting a feather inside the elevator itself towards the back of it and maybe she'll actually step on it to get the feather. Don't know if this will help- just brainstorming ...
Otherwise shoot her...she's an escape artist.
As to your other boxes that you want them to go to....try moving them around until the HOSP is attracted to them...may just be the location they don't like? Also, remove the trap until the HOSP ARE attracted to them and start building a nest....THEN put the trap in. ;)
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

Thanks Kathy If I had a feather I would certainly try it. Sounds like an inventive solution :)
The main problem I have with the elevator is keeping it centered on a sideways direction. If it is not centered it catches on the wood due to slight prongs where the hardware cloth was cut. Think I will take a dremel & sand those down. Anyone want to come shoot her? I do not have a gun. Wish I did. I have thought of fixing a raised portion on the feeder so she would have to hop on the elevator. Don't know exactly how that would work but I may look into it. I am tired of feeding her continually. :x
I do move NBT around according to where the males are most interested. Sometimes I wait for them to build & get bonded to the box, sometimes I get impatient. But cannot do that if what they want is to build in is the martins box. Yesterday it worked to put a trap in that box. Albeit nervous that somehow a martin would get into that tiny hole I made in a round hole door. I sat & watched most of that time just to be sure.
I only have 2 of the 5 martin boxes open for the 2 pair I have. Occasionally I see visitors & wonder if I should open the other 3 boxes but hesitate bc of attracting more Sp
Okie
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

"I have thought of fixing a raised portion on the feeder so she would have to hop on the elevator. Don't know exactly how that would work but I may look into it."
Since she's used to a 'free' meal, yes, you could put a little cardboard ledge in front of the food - say, about 1" tall so she can't go straight into the food tray and has to stop to try to hop over it....of course, her 'stop' would be her downfall..... LOL

Just fold up some card board and slip it in there for temporary. You should open up the other doors on your martin house too.....just stay on top of things.....just my $.02.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

Will do I am so thankful for experienced advice
Wishing you a successful season
Okie
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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Jim Gramke
Posts: 127
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 7:17 am
Location: Florida/Grant Valkaria

"The main problem I have with the elevator is keeping it centered on a sideways direction."

I have used cut sections of a BIC pen slid over the axle to keep it centered.
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warbird
Posts: 220
Joined: Tue May 26, 2015 10:04 am
Location: Calofornia MO

Jim Gramke wrote:"The main problem I have with the elevator is keeping it centered on a sideways direction."

I have used cut sections of a BIC pen slid over the axle to keep it centered.
That's a good advice
joe
2015 8 pair
2016 35 pair
2017 55 pair
2018 57 pair
2019 58 pair
2020 58 pair
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Okie
Posts: 541
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2016 3:26 pm
Location: Claremore, OK
Martin Colony History: 2016 Informed landlord now Have 2 pair returning from 2015 That is a miracle. Hoping for a very successful year, sparrow population on decline.
First house was plastic with crescent holes Had martins within a few days. Ignorant landlord gradually lost them
Then got Trio House and still lost most of them. Lots of sparrows

Thank you all. Will try all advice. I do have a HOSP pair furiously nest building today. Will wait until PM leave this afternoon to lower house & insert trap. Will also try the bic fix. Am just hoping this frustrating freeloader will get caught in a NBT. Can't shoot as house in every direction. Wish I could
Great season to all
Okie
Okie
PMCA member
2016 Started with 2 pair, 1 pair abandoned after HOSP destroyed eggs
1 pair= 6 eggs, 6 fledged
2017 1 pair so far, But they abandoned before nest complete for ?reason? Now Bridless and joined the Wannabes
2018 One pair ASY male SY female 5 eggs, 5 fledged
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