DRST trapping

14 years ago

Since I got my 1st DRST this week, I decided to make a post about it alone.

I've had the trap out since Wednesday. I am using a mix of millet from the pet store and today, bread crumbs, as bait.

It's on top of a water crate with plywood underneath it and a piece covering the food, as it's been snowing and raining.

Today I saw Chickadees going in and out of the bait tray from my window. The arm still lowers, so I'm thinking maybe they're just going straight in? Maybe they're too light as well?.. there was also a cardinal feeding in front of it where I spread bait. It flew off without attempting to enter the trap. So far, no HOSP have come near it, but my next door neighbor is feeding birds and I've heard them over there every day. So they are close, but haven't been near it. Supposed to be 41 and sunny tomorrow. I have yet to find what weather conditions are best for trapping. This cold is a pain, as I had to remove frozen water from the container in the trap.

I'd appreciate further advice, and this is an update from my "heard one singing" posting. Please also read it as well. Thanks.

~ Tim ~

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Comments (7)

Lexarose
14 years ago
I was just about to ask drst users how they dispatch several hosp at a time in the drst? I'm comfortable using the van ert and my pellet gun for one at a time dispatching, but not sure about several at a time dispatching. I'm seeing some males at my feeder lately but it's way too freezing today to lay in wait w/ my gun. I'm stressing out that the super wary males from last year won't go in the van ert again or let me anywhere near to blast 'em. Sorry I didn't answer your ? Tim...
ohsoblue77
Original Author
14 years ago
Lexa, from what I've heard you deal with one at a time. can be a lot of work, I know. You should use a draw string bag to remove one, being careful not to allow any birds to escape.

I just got my DRST so I have like no experience with it. Mine seems to have play in it, to where it bounces when raising back up or occasionally getting caught. It's aggravating me. I brought it back in. I don't know how to adjust the weights. The directions aren't specific enough.

Oh, and did you remove/cover the orange dot on the Van Ert? the 1st time I used it, this discouraged them. They shouldn't be able to view it from the outside. I rarely ever spoke them with it. My Van Ert traps (2) work like a charm.
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Hi Tim The very truth and every Martin landlord knows this since the mid 60's those trio units have been on the market. They are the main reason for the decline of the species. The units are to small the company today makes them double size (that means 12 units are now six because people complained. Martins prefer large gourds or large double size aluminum houses. (not the six by six type) they will use them if nothing else is around but prefer gourds most of anything and sparrows prefer houses. The trio unit is a great trap. Order trap from the manufacturer www.naturesociety.org double size the house use starling resistant doors which can be bought from nature Society people. Make the change to larger units must take trio apart and drill out 3 inch holes but can be done. This town were i live now went from three pairs in 2005 to 35 pairs in 2010. All because i placed gourds and double size the aluminum houses. Plus with gourds and large aluminum houses the birds produce large numbers of eggs. With Martins its all location. Another fact: to date not one martin has nested in the old small trio units placed for them in this town and its been 10 years and there nothing but sparrow slums. This town Barrington has almost 50 gourds four double size alunimum houses and every site is almost all will be full this year. The purple Martin conservation Assoc did a study on units and all the information is correct. There population is recovering from this national mistake but people need to remove those old houses and place correct homes for the birds or there population will never recover in area's were the old units are replaced people are getting record numbers of birds even way out on Cape cod Martins are making a comeback because of gourds and large homes..... Ray
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The Van Ert, for inside the nestbox, is to trap one at a time inside the nestbox. If you have HOSP harassing nesting bluebirds, you might want to try that in a mobile nestbox (see the link below). Ground traps are worth the investment if you have a lot of HOSP in the area. Or if you are handy, you could make one. Bet's web page provides links to several types you can buy or build. Also on Bet's web page below are other solutions you might want to try. Best of luck! BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm
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Great job ralleia! After witnessing some nasty behavior and nature of these birds and even though some people don't understand it, trapping is the only permanent and true solution! Also, check cracks in buildings and pine trees that HOSP congregate in for nests. I've destroyed dozens of eggs this way. Is it the Deluxe Repeating Sparrow Trap? (DRST) I'm hoping to get one soon. Anyone know how long Mr. Blaine Johnson takes to ship? I've bought spookers from him and it takes about 1 - 2 weeks. Really wish I had one ATM! My backyard neighborhood has seen a major dent in the HOSP population thanks to me. At my 2nd site, it's a totally different story. You hear HOSP every day and see them all over. But I've done some inbox trapping. Really wish I had the DRST so I could wipe them all out!
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The only way I've caught additional HOSP in a baited trap (DRST in my case) was by trapping them in a nest box with the Van Ert or in Purple Martin housing and then throwing the bird in the trap. As far as non-living bait, I buy millet and millet mixes that are sold by the lb at the local pet store. I also use feathers from old Tree Swallow nests and occasionally break up actual House Sparrow nests. I would recommend avoiding seed like black Oil Sunflower, as it attracts natives. ~Tim~
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Lexarose
14 years ago
Yes I know they shouldn't see the red dot. I've always taped a leaf to it but I should just remove it. I just got done reading the thread all about drst use at bluebird nut. Really an unbelievable amount of great info. Hopefully there is info there for you. I hope it's ok that I mention another forum here. Thanks for your advice Tim, good luck trapping!
ohsoblue77
Original Author
14 years ago
Yup, In fact I've been to that very thread myself. Between bluebird nut and sialis.org there really is great info on the net.

I see no issue in mentioning another forum. Both are just waking up, as the nesting season is just around the corner.

No problem, and thank you!
rayinri
14 years ago
I used to drown all the sparrows at once. Drop the trap into a pool or anything just bigger than the trap leave under water for four mins then clean out and
start over again....no chances of escape. Same way with starlings....
ohsoblue77
Original Author
14 years ago
That doesn't sound too humane, Ray, but if it works, it works!

I'm considering bringing them into my garage to individually remove them. But I might use Ether. Still thinking about how I'm gonna take care of the masses...but I have yet to trap one with the DRST. It's out of action right now due to the severe storms moving through the midwest. I don't want to risk it being destroyed so soon!
Lexarose
14 years ago
I was shocked when my local nature center said that's how they also do away with the hosp they trap! Man, I hate those things with a passion but that is such a cruel way to go, easy but cruel. Ether or car exhaust seems more ethical, at least that's how I'd want to be put out of my misery, not drowning. Just sayin'

DRST trapping

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DRST trapping

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