Dispatched my first trapped HOSPs today...

15 years ago

I received my deluxe repeating sparrow traps this afternoon, and with the help of my volunteer decoys (who entrapped themselves in my greenhouse earlier this week), trapped six HOSPs in four hours.

Though I knew what I had to do, it was a nerve-wracking experience, even knowing with near-certainty that they are indeed the target species. I think that the only species remotely possible to confuse them with is the Eurasian sparrow, and apparently they're still in St. Louis.

I really want to establish a bluebird trail though--with eleven acres of hayfield and woods it seems silly not to.

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Comments (4)

bandjzmom
15 years ago
Good for you ralliea! Sounds like your trap is a huge success. A conscientiously erected and diligently monitored Bluebird trail is always a fine idea!~~Angie
lisa11310
15 years ago
I shake and cry and often throw up. I don't know how I bring myself to do it but I do. The Eurasian Tree Sparrow has a brown head, a black cheek patch and no bib on the chest but it does look very similar. Six HOSP in four hours! Wow! Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to offer safe housing. Good luck and good job!
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So far I've gotten 5 males and 1 female... so proud! Unfortunately the female bb was looking at it.. hope she sticks with the nest she started. I'M SO EXCITED, the female bb just ate some of my homemade bluebird suet! I knew someone was getting it, but I just saw her eat several mouthfuls and take one large glob off with her... Freeze dried mealworms have been accepted just fine. I have some cool picture plans. Once I have them eating from the window feeder again, I'm planting pink geraniums in the planter for a beautiful background... this will make for some awesome pics! Sandra
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Lisa You will be losing sleep and pulling your hair out before this is over. I have not worked the last few years so I do nothing but watch out the window during nest building. I have seen these situations more than once. This year I am working and can only hope while I'm gone tragedy will not strike. Running out screaming and waving at hosps is always a good tactic. LOL It does work. First Keep trying with the drst. The natives will not go in it again after they get caught. The titmice always bite me when I let them out. So cute! I like to put it near a brushy area where the hosps hang. Next shoot at them with the bb gun every time you see them at the box. You will find out they are very smart. Even if you don't hit them you can sway them to another box by doing this. I would try to notice where they are flying in and out of your yard from and situate the drst there and also put another box with a 1 1/4" hole near there to see if I could entice them to switch boxes. Then let them get comfy and keep them busy. Then use the Van Ert. Of course like all traps it still must be monitored as other birds fit through that hole. You have to stop feeding the other birds or use only safflower seed when using the drst. Once they get busy nest building for real they will be more apt to eat from the trap. Keep us posted on your situation and your sanity. Any questions don't hesitate to ask. Good Luck Cathy
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Donna, a sparrow spooker is used from the time the first egg is laid until the last baby fledges, not before that and not after that. If you have a nestbox and don't put the spooker up during the egg laying or incubation it can still be put up while their are hatchlings in the nest. You shouldn't put it up before egg laying as you don't want HOSP to get used to it but you can put it up anytime during an active nest. As soon as the babies fledge you should take it down again until the next nesting. I have no clue what you want to do seeing you think they may fledge tomorrow, it won't affect that at all however it would keep them safer from the HOSP. Even if you don't "think" you have HOSP, you just never know, it is better to be safe than sorry. Good luck, hope your Blues fledge safely! Donna
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Linda, Smart thinking!!!.We have to be a step ahead of the HOSPs.They are very intelligent birds and that is why they have been able to survive every where they go.When I put a trap in, my HOSPs will sit on the hole and look in,see the trap and will choose another nest box.I finally have to hand some white down feathers in the hole and some inside the nest box to look like a nest before he would go in. michelle
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ohsoblue77
15 years ago
Great job ralleia! After witnessing some nasty behavior and nature of these birds and even though some people don't understand it, trapping is the only permanent and true solution! Also, check cracks in buildings and pine trees that HOSP congregate in for nests. I've destroyed dozens of eggs this way.

Is it the Deluxe Repeating Sparrow Trap? (DRST) I'm hoping to get one soon. Anyone know how long Mr. Blaine Johnson takes to ship? I've bought spookers from him and it takes about 1 - 2 weeks. Really wish I had one ATM! My backyard neighborhood has seen a major dent in the HOSP population thanks to me. At my 2nd site, it's a totally different story. You hear HOSP every day and see them all over. But I've done some inbox trapping. Really wish I had the DRST so I could wipe them all out!
ralleia
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for the kind words! The second day wasn't half so upsetting as the first. I hope that it gets easier for you, too Lisa. I trapped seven on the second day--and four were adult males in breeding plumage! Today is cold, rainy, and gray, so I doubt this will be a very active day.

Yes, they are the DRST traps. I completed my order of the DRSTs with "Uncle Blaine" on a Friday and the traps arrived the following Friday. He had hoped and expected to get them to me faster, but he discovered that he had quite a few orders that week. I'm very happy with the DRSTs and even managed to see it in operation one time.

Dispatched my first trapped HOSPs today...

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bandjzmom

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Dispatched my first trapped HOSPs today...

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bandjzmom

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