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Glad I pulled the traps, as we are now getting heavy snow. The juncos are mobbing my feeders this morning. They are the only birds I have seen so far, but it is so windy that they are actually having problems flying to the feeder!
Chris
Toledo, OhioCatching a lot more juncos since we got a snow cover. There are more in my yard, and especially at my feeders since the snow. Getting 4-5 Juncos and 4-5 HOSPs per day. Have to check the trap a couple times a day to get the juncos out…
Chris
Toledo, OhioI’ve been skunked the last 3 days. Released a female cardinal just now and a junco yesterday, but 0 HOSPs in the trap. Not many birds at my feeder either, of any type. There are HOSPs around my yard, so maybe a trap move or a change of bait is in order…
Chris
Toledo, OhioSo how are you doing with winter trapping? I’m seeing mixed results. A lot some days, but 0 for days on end…
Chris
Toledo, OhioI got my first HOSP of 2016 with my VanErt in-box trap. This pair was scouting out my BB box – I had her (unfortunately not HIM) within 5 minutes after setting the trap. But I know he will be back with a new gal. We are having a warm-up spell with temps today in the low 60’s, so I guess he thought spring was here!
Congrats, Carol. I haven not been motivated to trap and now it is freezing cold out there. I filled my feeders this morning and my hands were hurting!!!
Tammy
I wonder what the HOSP mortality rate is in the winter? I have captured a lot since last summer, but I have not caught one in almost two weeks. And very few are showing up at my feeders either… I know I had to have knocked their numbers down, and maybe mother nature is helping out right now. Of course, once spring arrives, it will start all over again.
Neat that a pair of BBs were scouting your box! A friend of mine had six in his back yard yesterday, with a couple checking out his boxes.
Chris
Toledo, OhioI don’t have my trap out. And like you I’m not seeing many HOSP. I think that will change soon!
Tammy
I’ve used a repeating sparrow trap since August of 2015. Results so far are 51 HOSP and 25 starlings trapped. Am thinking about getting an S&S controller trap to really ramp up the # of birds caught. Also caught a mouse or two in the repeating trap believe it or not! Funniest thing i’ve seen are hawks landing on the trap with birds in it and trying to take the whole trap away. Thankfully the trap weighs too much!
Yep, hawks will try to do that. Nobody can resist what looks like a sure-fire meal. I do wish the hawks could get at them, though.
Gin
Atlanta, GAHave you tried to elevate your trap? I have mine up about three feet, and it seems to work better that way then on the ground.
Chris
Toledo, OhioHi my fellow Blue Bird friends, its Marcel from NH, I got in my 3 ordered van something hosps traps on Monday night. I drilled and set 3 of my 5 boxes. Well the first one got away, too fast don’t know what it was. I got 2 that first day and 2 or 3 every day so far. Only Male Hosps so far. (is this normal)? This has been a horrible experience did I say This has been a horrible experience (and I’m a guy, gay but still a guy),I don’t like taking the life of anything especially if I am not even eating it for me or my family. The only thing That saved me is the 1.non native 2.killed my blue bird 4 eggs on my 3rd brood last year.still sucks taking life.
Question I went for a jog today and about a mile from my house I came across a bush ,yard, with about 20 hosps. Will they be coming to my yard or is that their area?. I don’t think I can do this every day for three months. Thanks Marcel Ps getting my 20,000 mealworms in todays for my babies.thank you again for any help and info. Looks like my Bluebird pair is sticking with same house as last year (first successful 2 broods)(10 fledglings), n 3rd brood 4 eggs eaten\taken by hosps. I’ll post videos when they make nest \eggs. I have a you tube channel now.
It’s normal to catch only male HOSP right now with your Van Ert trap. You start catching females when the males lure them in and they are bonded with the house. Do you use a bag over your nestbox to remove the trapped bird? That’s the easiest. You don’t need one trap per box. Usually you just move the trap around. And remember, never leave the trap while you go to the store. Has to be monitored well.
Tammy
If you are lucky, those birds you saw a mile away won’t find you and will stay where they are. The problem is as the population pressure increases there, they will probably move on. Where? Who knows.
BTW, I have 2 traps and sometimes I use them at the same time. I guess it depends on personal preference and need.
Gin
Atlanta, GA
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