Donna, I SO feel your pain. Taking the lives of living creatures is not an easy decision, but it seems as though you have house sparrows that are basically staking their claim for next nesting season. So, you have a choice to make. Do you take down your nestboxes and not allow any birds to nest or do you take action? I promise you, though the decision seems tough now, you DO NOT want to open your nestbox and find what many of us have witnessed. Though I didn't lose any adult blues this year to house sparrow attack, I lost about 20 bluebird nestlings this past season--most to situations where there was no visible sign that the hosps were even in the area. In years past, though, there have been attacks on adult blues and that will break your heart for sure.
The decision is one only you can make, but it seems pretty clear that you either eliminate the problem or take the boxes down. I wish there were an easier answer.
Take care,
Kathy

Kathy...You are right on all counts. I sooooo love the blues and it would break my heart to find dead adults and/or nestlings because of house sparrows. When I saw them at and IN the nestbox, I feared what you have confirmed...that they were staking their claim....just as the blues have seemingly been doing for the past few days. I was ecstatic to see them return and investigate the nestbox. They are such a joy!

It seems a pretty cut and dry situation as you indicated. If I decide to eliminate or attempt to eliminate the problem, I will need much support and info as I have no idea where and when to begin!

Boy, if there was ever a down side to birding and hosting nesters, this is IT!!!

Thanks again, Kathy!

Donna

Thanks again, Kathy

Hi Donna, No one likes to deal with the hosp. It is very difficult, but the one thing that I can not shake from my mind is the sight I saw when I opened a nest box and saw the female TRES almost decapitated still sitting on her eggs. I never knew hosp. killed other birds until I found this forum. It was too late for momma TRES. I found out the hard way.

I used to make my DH take care of the hosp. but he doen't get home until after 5 and I couldn't leave the hosp. in the box trapped all day....so I had to do it.

I had never killed a living thing either...I even take spiders outside. But I will tell you, I will do what ever I have to, to keep the blues and TRES safe or I will take my boxes down.

I hope you never have to open a box and see just how nasty hosp are. For some reason, I can not shake the thought of that poor little TRES. She flew hundreds of miles back in the spring, built her beautiful little nest, survived several days of rain and cold weather. She finally laid her eggs and was faithfully sitting on them and then she was killed.

Some how that justifies protecting the blues and TRES. We are all here to support you.

Karen

Donna, you are very welcome--support is what this forum is all about. You might consider investing in a deluxe repeating sparrow trap (DRST) and you'll probably want to have an in-box trap on hand come spring. The DRST can be used as soon as you get it. I ordered mine from the link below, but in order to be successful you need to follow Uncle Blaine's suggestions. He recommends that you not set the tripping mechanism to trap right away as this will spook the hosps. Instead, you'll rig it so birds can come and eat and become used to the trap. After a time, you'll set the mechanism and should have success.
If you begin trapping now, you'll eliminate some of what could be a huge problem come spring. My in-box traps are absolutely invaluable, too, however, for those hosps that insist on nesting attempts on my trails. (One trail is located near a nature center and any sparrows I trap are usually accepted there to feed their raptors and snakes. I figure it's natural--the food chain at work.)
I use a Huber trap, purchased at my local wild bird store, but here's another link that describes several varieties.

http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/nestbox/nestbox.htm

I know your decision will not be made lightly, but know most of us have had to come to terms with how to handle house sparrows--if you want bluebirds around, the hosps must go. And don't worry, you'll have plenty of support when you're ready.
Take care,
Kathy

Here is a link that might be useful: DRST

Donna,
Actually, you might consider this a fortunate observation. In the fall, when temperatures and day lenght mimic spring, we often see spring-like behavior. And if you are seeing HOSPs staking claims now, you can be sure they will be back in the spring.
Visit Bet's link posted below my message. Study. The more tools and information you have handy, the better prepared you will be when you decide what action you will or will not take.
Some of the information there is difficult to read, and the pictures are difficult to see. But, it is better to be prepared and take action as needed, than to experience the shock and devastation that many of us have had to deal with. We have many resources and support here that we never had before. Take advantage of that, or decide to let the bluebirds and other native cavity nesters take their chances elsewhere.
Bluebars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm

It's a hard decision to take a life. It's even harder to hold the victim of a HOSP attack and feel the life leave it's tiny body. Most people don't have a clue how distructive they are until they monitor their boxes.

Adequate housing and available food doesn't change their killing instincts. No cavity nester is safe when they are around, so the HOSP have to go.

A HOSP that claims a box is much easier to catch with an in box trap and the local wildlife will appreciate the meal.

Good luck to you and your blues, Donna.

Donna,
I have tons of HOSP at my house. And I couldn't trap for a couple of years, but finally ordered a trap. Then I couldn't bring myself to do what I needed to do, but finally did. I'ts a process...sometimes has be be taken in steps. If you wants specifics, you can email me.
Here's a photo of HOSP that flew to my neighbors roof from the hedges that separate our property. And I have many more than this. It is doable, you just have to take the proper steps.
Tammy

Many thanks for your responses, words of encouragement, sensitivity and understanding...you've been where I am now. It's amazing how this situation has affected me. I worried all night, struggling with making the right decision for me. I had intended to spend the next few days thinking it over, perhaps with a clear head and armed with all the needed info.

Again today, attempting to enjoy the morning, Mom and Daddy blue flew to the nestbox...NO HOSPS in sight nor did I hear them. Then WHAM...5 seconds later, two females chased away the little couple. I stood there for a minute, chased the HOSPS away and then it hit me! That's it!!! As painful as it is, I know what needs to be done to keep the blues safe.

Kathy, I will order the trap you suggested and I will read and re-read all the info provided in the links, but I do have some questions. Is the trap easy to set up and use? I am very mechanically challenged! How do you keep desirable birds out of the trap? What will happen if HOSPS are still around when nestbuilding time arrives? Will the blues continue to be interested in the box even though the HOSPS have chased them away these past two days?

Last Jan. and Feb., activity really accelerated with the blues constantly going in and out of the box. Nestbuilding began on 3/13. Gosh, there is so much to learn..it's pretty overwhelming!

I'm thankful I found this forum in Jan. and began to learn about these destructive birds, otherwise, their sudden appearance here wouldn't have concerned me one tiny bit, setting up disaster for sure!

Yes, Tammy, I'd like your email address if that's ok..mine is beachgirldwk@comcast.net...anyone is welcome to email me, too.

It will remain a mystery how these HOSPS found this neighborhood so suddenly. It is no where near the large stores and fast food restaurants where they hang out. My grocery store is only 2 miles from me, but there are absolutely no birds there at all. Too, I feed the backyard birds only the good stuff. Oh well, since they are here, unfortunately I will have to deal with it.

Thanks so much again! I'll continue to need your support and patience, for surely there are many questions to come.

Donna

Donna, the trap comes pretty much ready to go. Blaine sends some reading material along with it and it will increase your success to follow his advice. There is no real way to prevent other birds from entering the trap, though the food you use as bait will help. Many people use white bread crumbs, popcorn, etc., but it is very important to constantly monitor the trap while it is set for capturing. If you catch a house sparrow, give it food and water inside the trap and it will serve as a decoy to attract other house sparrows. If you trap a native bird, which I have done, simply put on your garden glove, reach in and grasp the bird and release it gently. It's very important that native birds be released asap, especially if there are house sparrows in the trap because the sparrows will attack it.
If you still have hosps once nesting season begins, don't panic! My routine is to let them build for a day or so to get comfortable with the box, then install the in-box trap. It's vital to trap the male house sparrow--he bonds with the nestbox, not with the female. If you only trap the female, the male will simply chirp incessantly until he attracts another mate. Once the house sparrows are gone, your blues should return . . . mine do.

As for the sparrows appearing suddenly, it's what they do. Do you have farms with livestock in your area? (that's my situation--the property behind us has alpaca, sheep and goats and as the owners have added to their menagerie the house sparrows have become more prevalent). Maybe you have a neighbor that is feeding junk seed or bread crumbs? In any case, you're getting a head start on solving the problem and this will only make your blues and other native birds safer come spring.
We're here if you need us.
Kathy

I agree with Kathy.
And you will find that once spring comes you'll have the best luck at catching them with the Van Ert in box trap, so make sure you have one of those on hand. You put the screws in beforehand and then you take it out and put it in whenever needed. Trapping with the DRST trap sometimes takes quite awhile to get started with some people, especially if you don't have that many HOSP. Having a decoy in there will help. I'll email you. With Blaine's trap all you will have to do pretty much is attach the entry piece of wood. Very easy.
Tammy

Save the birds

We are saving the bluebirds...that what this thread is about :)

You are right..I want to save the precious blues...thank you bluebirdbabe...Donna does LOVE her blues!

Hi everybody,

Gosh this is a hard topic for every Bluebirder I think. We each must do what we can (and what our conscience allows) to help protect our beloved Blues. I don't think any approach can guarantee their safety, and there are no easy answers really.

FWIW... I just posted a little photo-blog on another popular Bluebird forum today documenting a very similar situation that we witnessed here yesterday. Anyone who'd like to have a look at that can find it at the link below. I hope some here might find encouragement to read it.

Best of luck to Donna and all,

Kenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Defending the box

I'd do whatever it takes to keep te HOSPS away. May i reccommend donating them to a local raptor/Birds of Prey rehab center...

Hi Donna. It's possible someone has an unmanaged nestbox nearby and is letting HOSP breed in them. Also, I find they show up, seemingly from nowhere, after a wind storm. They are not migratory, but can move around within a 4-5 mile radius.

You've gotten some great advice here. BTW, for those who elect to euthanize, there are options where you don't have to hold the bird. See the link below.

There are those who simply can not bear to euthanize (which is, unfortunately, the only thing that stops attacks completely other than taking down a box, in which case native birds might go to natural cavities where they face the same challenges). Another option is wing trimming after trapping. It keeps HOSP from breeding for about 6 mos (so is only good during late winter, spring or summer), because their flight is somewhat impaired and they will focus more of their energy on food (they can still escape predators.) See http://www.sialis.org/wingtrim.htm.

Hang in there. Your blues will thank you.

Here is a link that might be useful: HOSP euthanasia