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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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Sounds like you really have some challenges. You have my sympathies! A tiny poked hole is more likely a house wren's thin sharp beak, sometimes taking them some distance away, or simply tossing them out. The house sparrow will toss the eggs out, but their finch-like beak would not as likely make a tiny poke hole. And the HOSP is more likely to stick around, harass, or even take over the cavity. "Do BB's destroy their own eggs" ... No "the nest possibly could have been flooded?" ... are there leaks that could be fixed? "Are the HOSP really sneaky" ... yes, but HOWR are sneakier ... "and resistant to the Sparrow Spooker?" ... yes, and house wrens will not be deterred by a sparrow spooker. House Wrens are even sneakier, faster and silent, leaving no evidence behind, only destroying eggs or young. You might hear them singing, but might never, ever see them! There are some links to sound files of house wren song and chatter on Bet's web pages, so you can learn to hear the unwelcome sounds of house wrens. Visit Bet's web page for more info. And by the way, the Carolina Wren is a very different bird, welcome almost anywhere; not a threat to other birds. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html
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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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