Chicka, I don't know if they've flown yet, because each time I've checked lately, the camera is pointed at some blank place on the roof. The last few times I've seen the chicks, they were up on the tall ledge, though, so maybe the camera pointed at that blank area means they've taken off from that place! According to the link I posted above, they usually don't hunt on their own until about a month after their first flight. I thought I read somewhere that they stay at the nest sight (or with the parents) for up to a year after they hatch...but I'm not sure now. It's said that "the only time that a female would lay more than one clutch of eggs in a year is if the first eggs are lost or damaged before hatching or the chicks die in their first few days." Hope I get to see one of them fly SOME day! Brenda

Hey Paperfinch, Welcome to the Tennessee Forum of Gardenweb. You're about three years late for this particular thread. Why don't you start a new thread and introduce yourself to everyone. Maybe you could tell us where you live (closest city, for instance) and what things you are most interested in. Many of us also do lots of seed exchanging, but often specialize in certain things. For instance, some participants may grow mostly vegetables, some annual or perennial flowers, and others (like me) more trees and woody plants. Gardenweb has a Seed Exchange Forum that works well for trading for seeds, but we'd still like to get to know you here too. As you may have seen, each third of Tennessee has their own Plant Swap. These are events that you should really really really try to attend if possible. I'm currently working to get the East Tennessee Plant Swap website at www.easttnplantswap.com up and going for people in east TN. The Middle Tennessee Plant Swap has a site at www.midtnplantswap.com. And, I think the West Tennessee people rely on this forum, currently, for announcements.

Hi Aleksandas - I know many people have very strong feelings about taking the life of any animal under ANY circumstances, and respect that. (Or course, anyone who eats meat or has a leather purse, etc., is indirectly involved in euthanizing animals.) However, the term "murder" implies killing in a criminal manner, or inhumane or barbarous manner. Under federal law, it is legal to humanely euthanize House Sparrows. They are not protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as they are introduced, non-native invasive species who have caused significant ecological and agricultural harm. I can not emphasize enough that if bluebird landlords chose to control non-native HOSP via euthanasia, it MUST be done in a humane manner. And I know for a fact that almost all of those who do elect to euthanize do NOT relish it in any way shape or form - in fact, they find it terribly difficult and painful. I agree that it is not advisable to show children (or adults) how a house sparrow is euthanized. It's just too hard to process and understand, especially for those who have not witnessed what can happen inside a nestbox as a result of a House Sparrow attack. However, Diane did NOT do this. She is using a LIVE trap. The birds are not harmed when they go into the trap (unless the HOSP kill each other inside the trap, which sometimes happens, as they can be very aggressive.) I have heard many accounts of children and adults being devastated by opening up a box to find a headless, bloody female native bird sitting on top of her eggs or dead young. It can be pretty traumatic. But nature is cruel sometimes.... On another note... I heard of a mother who sued Disneyland when her child was "traumatized" during a behind the scenes tour by seeing Mickey Mouse changing out of his costume(the child thought he was real.) Bet Here is a link that might be useful: When HOSP attack (warning - graphic photos)

Last fall I was at Stanley Park in Westfield, Massachusetts shooting some scenic photos of the park and I kept hearing a whistling sound off in the distance. Finally out of curiosity I went to see what it was. To my complete surprise I found it was a guy in his backyard, which adjoins the park, and he was training a Red Tailed hawk in the art of "Falconry" (Hunting by means of a raptor). I quickly hung a long telephoto lens and began shooting pictures. In a few minutes the guy noticed me and invited me to come in a bit closer. I moved in to about 20ft where he and I could talk yet my presence would still not excite the hawk. In our discusssion he told me that he is one of only 7 ppl in the entire state who are currently licensed to practice the art of Falconry. According to him it takes 6 years in an apprenticeship to get a license and they must have the license before they can posses a bird. During that 6yr period they must work with a raptor rehab facility to learn how to care & feed the birds as well as handling characteristics. He also stated that they cannot buy a bird. To get a bird they have to live trap one in the wild, but they are limited to only trapping birds that are presenting some form of nuisance. In his case, his bird had taken up residence in a residential neighborhood and had been hunting bird near ppls bird feeders or small cats, most of which were to large for the bird to carry off so it just killed a cat, then consumed what it could on the spot and leaving the remains to the total dismay of the cat owners. . . . . . Here is a photo of me doing my imation of a handler.....LOL