Interim HOSP deterrents?

14 years ago

My Blues came back Friday and quickly set up house in one of my two boxes. I was doubly excited because there was a pair of TRES flirting with my other box and getting ready to start their nest too.

On Saturday afternoon I heard the awful and evil "preep" of a HOSP and checked the boxes to see him proudly peeking out of the TRES' box. I went over and shooed him and removed what nest he had made. He was fast, though and had it all redone in about two hours. I removed it again and left the box open. Meanwhile Mr. & Mrs. Blue were going about their business.

Mr. HOSP and his girl were very confused by the open box and left after a few hours for what I hoped would be somewhere else. The box has been open since then.

But this afternoon, HOSPy was preening on top of the Blue's house and being chased by a very put out Mr. Blue. I chased the little buggar away, but he came back and has been pestering the hell out of Mr. Blue. So I closed up the TRES box across the yard, hoping this would at least distract the HOSP. My Van Ert is ordered, but not here yet.

This evening there are TRES flirting with the second box again and the Blues have what looks like a complete nest that's ready for eggs. SOOO - is there anything I can do to keep this HOSP away while I wait for the Van Ert? Also - since the Blues have yet to lay their first egg I can't place a spooker (and the Blaire (sp??) site is out of them). Once the Van Ert gets here, I don't know what I'll do if the TRES have set up house in box 2. HELP!!

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Comments (8)

bigmatt
14 years ago
I would put up another box ASAP,You could mount it a little higher then the other 2 boxes.This will be very inviting to Mr.HOSP,maybe it will interest him until Van Ert arrives.After you get Van Ert,Get Mr.HOSP ASAP.

Matt
lisa11310
14 years ago
I got mine with Van Ert, he got away. Had the ground trap out..nothing. Let him sit on his box and I got him with a 22. one clean shot. My advise, get a good gun with a good scope, if your in the city get a good quality pellet gun. It's fast and humane. I never though I could do it but I did. My Blues should be hatching in the next day or two and the Tres shoud have an egg any day now.
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They're here!!!
Q
Comments (12)
Gaile, you're not dumb! This hobby just has more to it than the eye can see! The fishing line is a form of deterrent. Sialis.org says HOSP typically see it, flutter around the box, and are discouraged by it. I tried it one season without any luck. Still had HOSP claim nestboxes with the monofilament (fishing line) It is best to trap and dispatch a male House Sparrow that has laid claim to a box. This would be, of course, AFTER the fact that he has gotten over the fishing line. A mesh drawstring or large trashbag is ideal so that you can contain the bird and it doesn't escape. Sialis.org/hosp has all the management methods. It may seem harsh, but as Kendra said, they're dangerous birds. They're also messy and don't eat many insects. If you want to be successful with Bluebirds, you will have to find a way to deal with the House Sparrow. There are few places these days that don't have HOSP due to modernization, poor bird feeding, etc. When you get to watch a beautiful, young bluebird leave the nest for the first time you forget you really had to deal with HOSP. Good luck, and check out my link for the traps! Here is a link that might be useful: Van Ert Nestbox Traps
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~Gah..Downey ruining nestbox..HELP!~
Q
Comments (2)
Do not use mylar strips before an egg is laid - it will spook other birds. Try monofilament in the interim for HOSP. http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm#monofilament Downies will not nest in your box - they will use it for roosting. or try a Gilbertson box paired with the wooden one - HOSP like it less. Here is a link that might be useful: all about downy woodpeckers.
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~Downey ruining birdhouse..what to do?~
Q
Comments (9)
I'll take anything except HOSP. :) I live in a neighborhood setting..postage stamp sized lots that was built in the 40s-50s, so no bluebirds here...if I was close by to an open field I'd prolly get some though, but no dice. The HOSP are nasty friggin' non-native creatures. I do have a HOSP trap that I used last summer..the neighbor would breed them and I would trap them..it was a lovely cycle. I suppose you are right about letting the Downey have it..which is fine by me..I love those little woodpeckers..the problem I have is that I don't know if once the Downey makes the nest and lays the eggs, will the mylar scare them away as it will be in place to scare the HOSP. Bluebirds, wrens and Chickadees aren't bothered by the mylar strips so that was never an issue. IDK about the Downey and if they are afraid of the mylar strips then we run the risk of them abandoning their nest and or nestlings. BUT if I don't use the mylar the HOSP will enter the nestbox and peck the eggs out and kill nestlings if they are in there..they will also attack the roosting woodpecker too. Catch 22, no?
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Pecked Eggs (picture)
Q
Comments (5)
It's a bit hard to tell Donna - it was a House Wren (I saw the male singing nearby). In this case I had a sparrow spooker up so I knew (plus I trap out all the HOSP in my neighborhood.) Also, often sticks show up shortly afterwards (but not always). Finally, the tiny peck holes visible on the top too eggs are more indicative of a pointy beak.
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dzyg
14 years ago
Mr Van Ert gets his orders out asap so you should have it soon. I would for sure get another box to entice the HOSP with and get that trap in as soon as you get it. Otherwise get a good bb gun, I actually get more with bb guns than I do the van ert but I LOVE the van erts! Make sure you tape a leaf over the orange dot on the van ert, HOSP are kinda leary of that orange dot but once a leaf is there they have no problem with it. Good luck!

Donna
chris8796
14 years ago
I would agree with get another box to entice him and keep him occupied. In the future, let them build the nest and get attached to it, then trap both of them. While they are pretty weary, the nest is a strong pull. I've had males stay 6 ft from the box (with a nest) and watch me put a trap in. I caught him a half hour later. A nest free box usually takes a little longer, but still works.
mulchmamma
14 years ago
If you only ordered one Van Ert, you may want to order more. Those things are so valuable when you need them it's hard to wait-even for a day.

As far as a high powered pellet rifle, Gammo Whisper has a silencer (may help if you are close to neighbors). Also comes with a decent scope.

Linda
joep_12
14 years ago
I was thinking about getting one of the repeater traps for HOSP.Do any of you guys/girls use them?

Joe
bbcathy
14 years ago
Spookers can be made easily out of anything in a pinch. Go to sialis and look them up.The repeating hosp traps are AWESOME! I wouldn't be without one.
mullipuff
Original Author
14 years ago
So in the rain this morning when the spooker wasn't spooky, the HOSP cleaned out my Blue's eggs. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm a terrible shot, and would be afraid of shooting the wrong thing by accident. My Van Ert still isn't here and I live in BFE, so I can't find anywhere with a repeating trap. I'm so sad.

Interim HOSP deterrents?

Comments (8)

bigmatt

lisa11310

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dzyg

chris8796

mulchmamma

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Interim HOSP deterrents?

Comments (8)

bigmatt

lisa11310

Related Discussions

dzyg

chris8796

mulchmamma

joep_12

bbcathy

mullipuffOriginal Author

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mullipuff
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