[wisb] Re: RFI: Discouraging house sparrows at bluebird houses
- From: Peter Dunn <pdunn@xxxxxxx>
- To: mrstrass@xxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2014 13:45:13 -0500
There are some hints about dealing with house sparrows (both active and
passive) at the following web site: http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm
The Bluebird Restoration Assoc. of Wisconsin (BRAW) also has some good
recommendations in their info packet (see: http://www.braw.org).
One of the main recommendations, though, is to pick a good spot for your
nest-box (yes, sometimes easier said than done!). If you have house sparrows,
though, I highly recommend that that you first try moving the box to a better
location (more open and away from feeders and livestock). If that does not
work, then it is probably better to remove the box entirely (or plug it) than
to let house sparrows breed in it.
here is the excerpt on box placement from the BRAW packet:
Location, Location, Location:
1) Need a territorial forage area of 1-3 acres of predominantly open habitat
2) Ideal sites: short, sparse grass with interspersed trees: cemeteries, golf
courses, parks, roadsides, RR tracks
3) Boxes should be totally exposed to sunlight from sunrise until noon;
thereafter, shading is permissable
4) Perch sites:
a) One or more trees (10+ ideal) right in front or to one side of nest box
(most hunting starts on a perch)
b) Fences (barbed, electric, wooden)
c) Electrical wires, clothes lines
5) Noisy sites okay (interstates, other roadways, railroads, temporary air
shows, church picnics)
Spacing:
1) Space no closer than 100+ yards (1-3 acre territories); encourages Tree
Swallow occupation if boxes are placed
closer than this
2) Pairing reduces bluebird and increases swallow production/box
Peter Dunn, Professor
S497 Lapham Hall
Dept. of Biol. Sciences
Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
P.O. Box 413
Milwaukee, WI 53201
On Apr 8, 2014, at 11:47 AM, Mary Strasser wrote:
> Because of the severe winter this year I had a flock of house sparrows that
> joined my usual bird feeder clientele all winter, despite the fact that I
> only put out black oil sunflower and nyjer seeds, which are not supposed to
> be on the house sparrow's list of favorites. Some of the house sparrows are
> now taking nest materials into my two bluebird houses.
> Last year, I had a nesting pair of bluebirds that successfully raised chicks.
> I think the same pair is now hanging around my yard looking for nesting
> sites. I am discouraged that the house sparrows are claiming the birdhouses.
>
> I had temporarily plugged the birdhouse entry holes to discourage the
> sparrows. As soon as I removed the plugs for the bluebirds, the house
> sparrows started moving in again. I have removed the sparrows' nest
> materials and again plugged the entry holes. What can I do to deter the
> house sparrows so that the bluebirds can use the birdhouses? I would prefer
> non-lethal methods if they will work.
>
> Mary Strasser in southeast La Crosse
> La Crosse County
>
>
> ####################
> 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
>
>
####################
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
Other related posts:
