[wisb] Re: Deterring House Sparrows from feeders/repost & update
- From: "Cathy Gagliardi" <patcatgags@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <pready@xxxxxxx>, <wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 22:36:55 -0600
The anti-House Sparrow Halo's (or do-it-yourself monofilament line) has gotten
rave reviews from a couple of our customers at Wild Birds Unlimited also. The
one thing our customers noted, was that it works for about 1 year and then the
HOSP's are back in full force with no fear of the line.
What they did though, was take the monofilament line down for 2-3 weeks and
let them have free rein of the feeders again... but then put it back up and the
whole fear process starts all over again.
What a great idea Pat, making your own and all the better when it works!!
All the best,
Cathy
----- Original Message -----
From: pready tds.net
To: wisbirdn@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 9:49 PM
Subject: [wisb] Deterring House Sparrows from feeders/repost & update
Betsy posted her success with this method today and asked me to send
my original message from last summer to help clarify matters. Here is
my post from last Aug.
Hi Birders-
I discovered that House Sparrows can be prevented from pigging out at
bird feeders by simply hanging some monofilament fishing line from the
feeder. A few strands is all it takes. I have used it on 3 feeders
here at home and they stay off those 3 feeders. Since I don't have
many HOSPs around here I decided to try it at work where we have a
small flock that raids our display feeders everyday. I put fish line
on 2 of the 5 feeders and the HOSP will not use those feeders. The 2
have mixed seed that the HOSPs were hitting hard all day before adding
the fish line on Monday. So now I am convinced this works and it
doesn't harm them. All other birds don't seem to care about the fish
line. Here at home on my sunflower feeder I get both finches,
cardinals, BJs, grackles, MODOs, BCCHs etc.
This could really save $$ for those who don't wish to feed HOPS but
can't avoid it if they want to feed desirable native song birds.
If you give this a try post results please.
11/30 Update: I find that this is about 98% effective on my feeders at
home and at the store where I work in Madison. House Sparrows still
feed on the ground so it doesn't keep them away from my yard. But they
don't hog my feeders preventing the native species from using them. It
doesn't take much line to deter them. A few strands will do it. You
don't need to endanger your birds using excessive line they might get
tangled in. Other species are not bothered by the line. Just House
Sparrows. To attach the line I use tape or staples (to wood feeders)
or tie the line to the hanger. Works for seed and suet feeders. Try it
you'll like it!!
Pat Ready
Stoughton
Dane Co.
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