First Brood Out, Sparrows In

14 years ago

Greetings,

Yesterday I came home to find that the baby blue birds were no longer in the nestbox and the mom and pop bb were hanging out along a nearby fence but not entering the nest box. At first I thought there might have been a predator since there was no sign of the babies, but after some research, I think they fledged since the nest was flat and there was no sign of any intrusion. So I cleaned out the nestbox and removed the sparrow spooker. At the same time, I removed a sparrow's nest from a nestbox at the front of the house. I was waiting for the young bb to leave the bb box in the backyard before evicting the sparrows from the front so as not to cause the sparrows to seek retribution on the bb nestbox. Well, now they're are trying to set up residence the newly cleaned out blue bird box in the back. The mom and pop bb appear to be hanging out, cautiously watching the nestbox but the sparrows seem to have taken over. I've cleared out the beginnings of several sparrow nests but they keep coming back. I now have left the front door completely open until I can figure out what to do. The blue birds seem eager to start a second family but are wisely not going into the nestbox with the sparrows present. So what should I do next? I don't have a trap but am thnking of buying one. I don't relish the thought of trapping the sparrows and euthanizing them. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

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Comments (14)

dzyg
14 years ago
guiness, if you want to safely host bluebirds in your nestboxes you need to get a van ert and take care of those HOSP. If you cannot or will not control the HOSP's in your yard by disposing of them then you should not offer nestboxes. If the baby Blues fledged successfully then you "should" have about a week or two before the Blues will want to start another nest. Get a van ert inbox trap and rid your yard of the HOSP before that.

Donna
bigmatt
14 years ago
You could put the spooker back up,It should not bother the Blues,because they are use to it already.It should keep the sparrows out,Maybe also put up another box nearby,for the HOSP,with a reduced hole,when they get comfy ,trap em.
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michelle_4466
14 years ago
Guiness,
I agree with all of the advice on this forum.As a person who lost a Bluebird Mama to a HOSP while she was sitting on her eggs,I'll tell you this.You MUST get rid of the HOSPs before you allow the Blues to nest again in your yard.If you don't do this,you will place your Bluebirds in harms way.I now have a safe yard and host Blues each year but I have to be deligent about controlling the HOSPs.
michelle
bunnielover
14 years ago
I have been told I have to get rid of the HOSPs to protect the bb but how do I do this? I am new to birding this year and any advice would be greatly appreciate! Thank you
guiness
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, I thought as much. Without duplicating a previous thread, any quick suggestions for "dispatching" the sparrows once they're trapped?
organicgardener
14 years ago
Guiness,

I sent you an email with the method I use. I received instructions from Bet Zimmerman who hosts sialis.org.

Linda C
guiness
Original Author
14 years ago
Okay, thanks!

Honestly, I thought birding would be a rather non-confrontational interest.
Damned sparrows.
lisa11310
14 years ago
Guiness, I had HOSPs move in for the first time this year. I took some target practice, never shot anything before. 1 shot with a 22 was all it took. No pain no fear for the bird, just gone. A good pellet gun will do too. I know not everybody lives where this is an option but if it is I feel it's the best option and the most humane.
bbcathy
14 years ago
I don't agree with putting the spooker back up as the hosps will overcome their fear of them sooner or later. The less they see of the spookers the better they will work. Sialis says to never leave spookers up for this reason. Trapping and disposal is the most effective way to protect your Blues.
Cathy
guiness
Original Author
14 years ago
I live in a pretty rural location so a pellet gun sounds like a good idea.

I agree with using the spooker only as a last defense for the baby bluebirds which is why I took it down after they took off.

Thanks again for all the advice.
bigmatt
14 years ago
My idea about putting back up the spooker and another house was intended to trap the HOSP,More then likely the HOSP would go to the house without the Spooker for trapping.After you trap him and dispose of him ,it is impossible for him to get use to it.LOL!
bigmatt
14 years ago
I wanted to add one more thing,I always recommend having 2 houses up,just in case a HOSP comes along,That way the Blues will always have another house to go to ,rather then leaving the area,If there is a HOSP trying to use one of my houses ,The Blues can go to the other,while I deal with the HOSP.I never let a HOSP hang around too long,before I trap him,I have found that many times even after you get the HOSP,the Blues will not return to the house(during that season) were they had a confrontation with a HOSP.Just something to think about,That is what I have found works for me.If a HOSP does show up,He is my number 1 priority.
bbcathy
14 years ago
Well that makes a lot more sense Matt. Don't know if I read that wrong or what. The eyes, they are going with age. LOL I always have several empty house here at my house. Usually by this time in the season the hosps know to stay out of my way or else.
Cathy
bigmatt
14 years ago
I have one house on one of my trails that the blues used last year for 2 broods.well this year that very same house has been my HOSP trap box so far for this season,which is fine by me,The blues are across the street with a spooker,and the TRES are across the field.I pretty much have trapped a pair of HOSP in that box every weekend for the last 5 weeks,maybe skipping 1 weekend.I thought for sure the HOSP problem would slow down a little by this time ,but a new pair keep showing up at this box,so I keep trapping.They are welcome to try to use this box ,because they won't be around long.

Matt