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Sparrow Spooker on BB nest

13 years ago

Hi all. We had a couple build a nest and lay an egg. We put the sparrow spooker on and she never went back in. It was a low of 30 last night. Took the sparrow spooker off. They are on the back fence but not going in the box. My question is should we take the nest and egg out? Thanks for any help!

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Comments (5)

geauxblue
13 years ago
Hi- if she just layed one egg, she isn't done yet. What we normally do is put the sparrow spooker up after the first egg, but with only one streamer. Or with no streamers if it's windy. Each day add another streamer. This helps them get used to it. Don't remove the nest or egg! Let her get used to it and it'll be ok. Good luck!
donnaren2
Original Author
13 years ago
Great idea, thanks.
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Thank you!! I actually came across someone else who did that, and it looks easy and more attractive than the sparrow spooker. I sat out there all day on Friday, reading a book and watching my kids play. My husband was out there all day on Saturday and we haven't seen that male HOSP since Friday. My first baby hatched yesterday!!! I'm sure the rest have hatched today - it's been raining all day and I haven't gone out to check. I'll go put out some mealworms soon. I was afraid to mess with the box too much, I didn't want to disrupt the babies, so I'll have my husband fashion the fishing line as soon as they're all done. My husbands pellet gun came in the mail today, he's been target practicing all afternoon, he is looking forward to keeping my birds safe (in all actuality, playing with a pellet gun). Hmm, thumbtacks is easy, I just reread your post and the one I found was a little more in-depth. Thanks again!!! Here is a link that might be useful: The site with fishing line that I found....
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donnaren2
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi guys. I'm not sure what to do now. After putting the sparrow spooker up, there are no new eggs for 2 days. I took the sparrow spooker off. They are still hanging around, tho. My question is - Should I take out the egg and remove the nest? Thanks so much. I'm just not sure what to do now =(
geauxblue
13 years ago
If it were me, I wouldn't clean the box yet since they're still there. They haven't given up on it. Maybe someone else will respond with their experience. Have you looked at www.sialis.org ? There is a whole section on sparrow spookers there. it's worth a look.
tmann05
13 years ago
I also advise not to clean out the box. It is illegal to remove eggs and nesting material btw. Are the sparrows still around? Maybe they are harassing the EABL pair and causing her to delay laying. This could also be the females first nest and she isnt playing by the rules. The weather can also delay egg laying if it is cold. Keep an eye on the situation the next few days an hopefully she continues to lay. You could pair another box to keep the HOSP distracted until she finishes laying. Once she has finished laying and starts incubating, I would put the sparrow spooker back on. Good luck and keep us posted!

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