jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,607
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Post by jamesp on Mar 23, 2016 7:12:30 GMT -5
I love Martins but they never shut up *L*. We can't keep the dang house sparrows out of anything we put up. They even bedevil me in my shop....Mel Mel,I got a lot of sparrows too.Looks like will be a battle for the houses. I have around eighty different houses and apartments stuck all around,figured plenty of room for all.Will see how it turns out.That big red-tailed hawk that was perched atop the gourds may have a say in it too!  snuffy What happened to sparrow hawks ? Rarely see them anymore. I met a falconer that said he had a small hawk that he gently could launch as if a football toward a target bird. Mel ? |
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910 
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Post by Intheswamp on Mar 23, 2016 12:34:09 GMT -5
House sparrow/European sparrow/weaver finch/Shakespeare's-folly/whatever. If it is a indeed the weaver finch then a pellet gun is a good answer. They will kill nestlings and crack eggs when competing for cavities to next in. Native NA sparrows do not cavity dwell so no danger of being confused on which ones to shoot. Wrens use cavities (among other places) to build nests but they look nothing like weaver finches. The weaver finches are an invasive species and are not protected (read that as open season on them 24/7). These are the "cute" little birds hopping around at McDonalds with a Rondald McDonald fry in their beak. Them and starlings give martins the most grief. Starlings can accomplish one thing the finches can't (without a lot of effort)...they can kill a fully grown martin. Not only martins, but any other native cavity nesting birds (bluebirds, chickadees, wrens, etc.) are at these two illegals mercy (and they don't give mercy). Weaver finches = flying mice Starlings = flying rats If you're feeding wild birds near by do not use feed that has cracked corn in it. 100% black oil sunflower is about the best. Also, there are some interesting sparrow/starling traps and plans on the internet. www.sialis.org/traps.htmwww.naturalinsectcontrol.com/product.php?id=000000485 |
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Mar 23, 2016 13:20:47 GMT -5
House sparrow/European sparrow/weaver finch/Shakespeare's-folly/whatever. If it is a indeed the weaver finch then a pellet gun is a good answer. They will kill nestlings and crack eggs when competing for cavities to next in. Native NA sparrows do not cavity dwell so no danger of being confused on which ones to shoot. Wrens use cavities (among other places) to build nests but they look nothing like weaver finches. The weaver finches are an invasive species and are not protected (read that as open season on them 24/7). These are the "cute" little birds hopping around at McDonalds with a Rondald McDonald fry in their beak. Them and starlings give martins the most grief. Starlings can accomplish one thing the finches can't (without a lot of effort)...they can kill a fully grown martin. Not only martins, but any other native cavity nesting birds (bluebirds, chickadees, wrens, etc.) are at these two illegals mercy (and they don't give mercy). Weaver finches = flying mice Starlings = flying rats If you're feeding wild birds near by do not use feed that has cracked corn in it. 100% black oil sunflower is about the best. Also, there are some interesting sparrow/starling traps and plans on the internet. www.sialis.org/traps.htmwww.naturalinsectcontrol.com/product.php?id=000000485I have a group of 25-30 sparrows around most of the year.Some starlings that nest in the wooden houses.Feeding them the wrong stuff.Doves,redbirds,bluebirds around.I'll see what happens this year,may not be in the cards they successfully nest.One thing about it,all these birds keep my garden almost insect free.Shot a sparrow with my bb gun a few minutes ago.Can't kill anything anymore without remorse. Your statement the other day about the mosquitos was spot on.Most people think they will clean them up.Research has shown only about three percent of their diet consists of them. snuffy |
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Post by radio on Mar 23, 2016 13:34:59 GMT -5
I hate Starlings!!!!!! I scatter some bird feed on the ground in the spring and keep a .410 handy for when 20 or so of them get bunched up!
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Mar 23, 2016 17:43:31 GMT -5
I hate Starlings!!!!!! I scatter some bird feed on the ground in the spring and keep a .410 handy for when 20 or so of them get bunched up! My shop is dead center of town. City Hall is located basically behind my place...alleyway in between us. You gotta remember, this town has a total of two traffic lights. Well, several years ago I got no a massacre-the-starlings binge. Trusty scoped springer pellet gun. I would hide in the alleyway behind some tractor tires and shoot the starlings off the power lines as they gathered. Well, one evening I'm crouched down behind the tires pinging starlings when I realize that folks are showing up for a City Hall meeting...oops!!! As I suddenly get to feeling really "sniperish" and thinking I need to "lay my weapon down and come out peacefully" I suddenly hear sirens blaring. OH NO!!!!!! As I quickly retreated around to the front of my building I see an ambulance roll through town with lights on and sirens going. Phew!!!! I didn't hunt starlings much in town after that.  One things for sure, you gotta hit a starling right or a pellet will bounce off their wing feathers! Shields of feathers and yellow daggers...armored gladiators they are!!! Martins don't stand a chance against them! |
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snuffy
Cave Dweller
Member since May 2009
Posts: 4,319
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Post by snuffy on Apr 5, 2016 19:31:25 GMT -5
An update on my Martins! Had 12 today. They likey!  One of my poles slipped down on the bottom one.They like these better than my other ones. Thanks for looking snuffy |
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