Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!bbn!rochester!cornell!oravax!john
From: john@oravax.UUCP (John Gregoire)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Nesting Bluebirds
Summary: Box location, Traps, HOSP, STAR
Message-ID: <246@oravax.UUCP>
Date: 13 May 88 13:53:00 GMT
References: <4719@ihlpf.ATT.COM>
Organization: Odyssey Research Ass., Ithaca NY
Lines: 29

Jim, your problem with house sparrows (HOSP) and starlings (STAR), or as we
prefer (SLZO), is common to boxes that are emplaced too close to human
structures. The overnest building is a common inter-species predation
when they aren't enough natural cavities. We've observed similar predation
by Bluebirds on Chickadee nests; In that case it was a simple matter of
placing another box within a few feet as the species tolerate each other.
Same for Tree swallow and Titmouse although the latter is shy. Doesn't
work for House Wren as they build false nests in every cavity they find.

I'd like to help you but need to first know more about your box
placement and surrounding environment. Sparrow traps are commercially
available and I suppose you could go the airgun route as HOSP and STAR
are NOT protected species. Be advised that they are the ONLY ones
not protected by statute.

Either drop me a note on the group or send email so we don't bore others.

I'm a bander in the New York finger lakes region.

John Gregoire
Kestrel Haven
RD1 Box 244D
Burdett, NY 14818

oravax!john@cu-arpa.cs.cornell.edu

P.S. Spring migration occurred here on Sunday the 8th; our farm list went
from 62 to 91 species in the ensuing two days and better yet, we banded
several of the new species.