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As I detailed in another thread, my local trail bluebird nest with eggs was ruined by a sparrow infestation a couple weeks ago. I have since removed the hosp problem after it also killed a swallow adult. The bluebird adults moved on as I have not seen them since. Since then I believe all the boxes on this plot have been claimed by swallows. Should I add another box somewhere in hopes that the bluebirds return and have a spot to nest? I feel like every time the first nest is unsuccessful at this location they never try again which surprises me since it is a really nice meadow location by a lake.
I had an issue last year where a sparrow entered the bluebird house and destroyed the eggs. Ibhave a camera in the house and it was a sad scene seeing this happen and I was not at home to stop it.
I found a sparrow spooker and installed it this year. It seemed to have worked as I see sparrows around but they did not enter the house this year and we had a nest and 5 babies fledged last week
This is the item. It also comes with mylar ribbons
I have been told that sparrows will be thwarted by putting a few strands of fishing string over the entrance hold. Does anyone know if this simple solution works?
I think but not as well as a sparrow spooker with reflective ribbon strands. And it is all about timing…only after the last eggs are laid I believe. There was another poster (Carol…hope she is well) I haven’t seen here in a while who swore by it. I made one out of pvc pipe once and it seemed to do well. Just made a big L that hung over the front of the entrance.
Phillyblues. I’m late at answering your original question. But I do pair my TRES/EABL boxes about 20 feet apart. They say it can be closer but I’m not sure it works. 20 feet doesn’t always work either but it does give them an option. I miss Carol too. She kind of took over this group and did such a great job of it. She couldn’t get on this group anymore. I helped her once and she got back on but it happened again and she couldn’t figure out how to get back on. She talked about having an old computer and thought maybe that was the problem. I keep reaching out to her to see if I could help her but haven’t heard anything.
AnnieB. Sparrow Spookers work well but I’ve also heard that fishing line works well. It’s important that it is done in particular way. Never put it over the entrance. The bluebird can get tangled in it. I’ll try to give you a link of a good way to place the fishing line.
The Sparrow Spooker is to be put on after the 1st egg is laid and taken down after they fledge. The Monofilament Line supposedly can be put up and kept up.Sparrow Spooker PlaN https://ohiobluebirdsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Sparrow-Spooker-Directions.pdf
Fishing Line Plan: https://ohiobluebirdsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Monofilament-Sparrow-Spooker.pdf
Tammy
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