We have a 16 unit S&K house. Last year had great success with atleast 5 nests. This year is starting slower. Two nesting pairs. One has laid eggs, last count was 4. The other can't seem to decide which apartment to settle in. We have persistant sparrows that I'm trying viligently to remove but no luck yet. We have been lowering the house daily and removing the sparrow nest but they just keep building them.
I read an article saying blocking rooms is not a good idea as they just move into the Martin rooms. Does anyone have experience with mouse glue boards? I'd love to be able to catch the darn things. I have a sparrow trap, no luck, just caught way too many "good" birds. Any advice would be appreciated on catching the sparrows.
Success in Southwest Florida
-
Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
With so many ‘good’ birds around, I would be hesitant to use the glue boards. If you cannot trap or shoot or eliminate the sparrows by any means, and they lay eggs, I would poke a pin hole in each egg and leave them in the nest. They will not hatch, but the sparrows will sit on them for weeks. And as I wrote that, I think that if they lay eggs and you place a glue trap inside, they will be the only birds to enter. I’m not sure, but it’s an idea.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.