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. Pat Ready Stoughton Dane Co. #################### You received this email because you are subscribed to the Wisconsin Birding Network (Wisbirdn). To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn To set DIGEST or VACATION modes, use the Wisbirdn web interface at: //www.freelists.org/list/wisbirdn Visit Wisbirdn ARCHIVES at: //www.freelists.org/archives/wisbirdn