She has no right to do so, so long as you have permission to have YOUR PROPERTY there. She needs to respect that. As for being a woman, sorry, her husband has to sleep with her at night - and listen to her when she complains. Sorry, that is how it goes! You are young, you will learn that it isn't always fair. I'd avoid a heated argument and hope for a more reasonable one in the future, or avoid her altogether. Good luck with your birds - not many people understand, and you cannot change them overnight. Christy

Thank you Christy. I'm glad you aren't offended by my statement.

I know plenty of respectable women. I really hate to bring things like this to the discussion but I guess it's inevitable.

With her attitude, I WILL avoid her altogether. You're absolutely right: not many people understand and can be changed. It's unfortunate that we have to deal with the likes of the House Sparrow when it comes to protecting beautiful natives like Bluebirds and Swallows. Especially for those who love nature altogether.

She may just not understand. And doesn't want to hear it from a neighborhood boy (no offense, I can just relate). If she was educated on your reasons she may understand better. You can't convince everyone. I couldn't use the trap, I'm just not built for it. But my hubby has no qualms and even wants a BB gun for the Starlings, which I'm willing to watch him miss!!! She can still be a nature lover, just doesn't know what you know!! I will say, if you have permission for that trap on that property and she breaks it, that is vandalism. I'd let her know that, if push came to shove. Christy

I took a photo of 6 dead swallows in my box with holes pecked in their heads by English sparrows that I show to people who inqure about my traps. I explain that they are not a native bird & I consider them the Hitlers of the Bird World. Of course my traps on on my own private property; nevertheless a visiter once released about 20 of them. Most of these ignorant people are from the city who see nothing but sparrows, starlings & pigeons. So sorry for your loss.

So sorry to hear about that Tim, I would be totally pissed off too...and sadly some people just won't ever get it. We just have to keep trying though..don't give up! Kinda like telling people they need baffles on their poles or not to mount boxes on wooden posts or trees or fences. Lots of the time it is like talking to a brick wall...you just can't get through.

Oh and not using the DRST is not inhumabe...I don't have one but I use a bb gun or a vanert anytime I see a HOSP in the yard. ASPCA..that's funny actually...like they would deal with a wild bird that is not native and unprotected...

Donna

God did not put them HERE! He put them in Europe.
As far as calling the ASPCA,they'll probably laugh at her, as sparrows and starlings are NOT PROTECTED BY LAW, being an exotic that has upset the natural balance in America. We dispose of trapped sparrows as humanely as possible.

You did good. And I totally agree with assabetvalley. They are a destructive mean bird. Brought here from Europe. Your yard, your trap. Go ahead and keep doing it. They'd only laugh at her if she calls ASPCA.

ohsoblue77...I am so proud of you :) Let her call the ASPCA....she will have made their day!!! ...they will laugh at her. Keep doing what you are doing. The native birds need as much help as they can get. The hosp. is a nasty mean killer. I learned the hard way. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Karen

Tim I LOVE your determination. I understand your frustration. I now have 3 HOSP nest and I'm breakin out my ground trap tonight! 1 nest has eggs (well shaken) and I will be hunting with the 22 yet again tonight. :( So far the spooker has kept the Blues safe and tomorrow I will put one on the TRES box even though there are no eggs yet, I couldn't bare to have one of them killed either. I think the TRES have bonded enough to give it a try. Keep up the good work!

Everyone,

Thanks so much for your support! I LOVE all these comments. It means a lot. I think I might print them out and drop them in her mailbox!! lol!

Today I found one of the females with trimmed wings hanging out in a low tree near where the trap was. I had to chase that think back and forth several times! It finally went into the open for another tree, so I dove to the ground and caught it in my hands. I got my BB gun and pulled the trigger...

If memory serves me right, there were a total of 4 with trimmed wings. This means only 3 got away. I think 3 were female and one male from the trimmed wings. I will now trim ALL the wings of ALL my trapped DRST HOSP.

So, do you all think that a hawk or cat got the others with trimmed wings? I usually trim all flight feathers on one or both wings.

In other news, I have a total of FIVE active TRES and Bluebird nests. All have eggs. 2 are BB, 3 are TRES. My backyard blues have 5 eggs due to hatch in a day or two! (fingers crossed!)

She may have let HOSP go, but I still got my natives! And if she harms them, you bet I'll get the law in on her ass!(please excuse the language)

ASPCA...what a laugh. If those HOSP end up in my boxes or the Martin housing, they're dead!

Tim I would include the first page of the sialis site and tell her you understand she thinks your some awful teenager killing things but that you have researched this thoroughly and ask her to do the same. If you would have told me 10 years ago I could kill a bird I would have told you that your nuts. I hate hate hate to do it but I have seen the carnage they leave behind. :(

Tim, there are those in the world who do not like to see even something as vile as a HOSP hurt. I have a neighbor who allows all HOSPS to invade her nesting boxes and she has no problem with it. I was told a story by a friend that she was also using a ground trap to get rid of HOSPS. The police were going by her yard and noticed it. She was told she had better get rid of it or she would be fined. I have never heard of this, the bird is not native to the USA. She ended up getting rid of it. I totally agree with what you are doing, but when you have yo-yo's that don't agree with it... their next step will be to get on the phone with the authorities. Good luck!

Tim, you are an amazing young man. Some people can never be convinced though. I worry about what my neighbors would think, so I try to keep the DRST as hidden as possible. For instance, when I stuck it in the Guinea Fowl pen last time, I wired a piece of lattice to the side of the pen so nobody could see the trap from the street (the coop hid it from the neighbor's house next door). I try to find a spot where nobody will notice it, or hide it somehow. While you have every right to do what you're doing, she may steal or destroy your trap. I wish you the best of luck.

Tim I was once one of those bleeding heart women that would get mad at a friend that shot sparrows on his property to protect the blues. It's so funny that a few years in the country hosting blues really turned me around. I exterminate them any way I can now. But I do have friends that don't understand so I don't tell them what I do. Yes people are stubborn but once they see dead babies in a box or dead parents if they don't get it by then they are brain dead. You are very mature and if you were my neighbor i would welcome you and your drst. Keep up the excellent work Tim, Sue

Thanks again Kendra, Sue, etc.

I REALLY want to put the DRST back out but I'm worried there won't be a good enough place where it'll be hidden, and not attract predators like Hawks and Raccoons which could get my bluebirds.

I heard HOSP nestlings on this woman's property. They nest in her pine trees. I have 3 properties under control from HOSP. This is the ONE area they are coming from. Her husband suggested if I do it, to do it away from them. Oh the irony!! That's where the HOSP are coming from to begin with! Guess you can't win em all. Luckily they sold the alpacas they had...one time before they said there were birds in there, sparrows, but they didn't stop them I don't believe. So they were probably multiplying more back then. The barns they were in have been closed since last fall. Previously there were HOSP and Starlings in them.

So, really, how vulnerable are juvenile HOSP to the DRST?! Does anyone think I'd have a good chance of trapping them after fledging? Unfortunately I can't rip their nests from the trees like I do with the other neighbor's. The 3 plots are the one I rent, the landlords' where my bluebirds are, and the 3rd is where the martin housing is. adjacent is her property. Confusing, I know. Try to be vigilant with this youngster ^^

Um, the trap is ON YOUR PROPERTY. She is trespassing. It it continues, I would very kindly but firmly remind her of this and say you will take legal action if she continues to trespass. I would also make a handout that states why the HOSP are dangerous to local bird populations, with a few choice photographs showing the damage they cause.