HOSP seem to be gone

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

The past couple of weeks I have not many HOSP around – they seem to have disappeared. I’m glad they are not around (that I see) but I am concerned they may be sneaking when I don’t see them. There has been no HOSP nesting for about 10 days now. I have one nest of 5 bluebird babies which mama & papa are doina a GREAT job of watching the nest & feeding them bugs. We are going to be out of town for about 4 days and I am sure these babies are being fed and will not worry about them.
Anyone else noticed HOSP gone or considerably less around?

[TimC]

I’m lucky. I haven’t seen a House Sparrow in my community yet. I know they are here but not bothering my nest boxes.

About six miles away (as the bluebird flies) there is a Home Depot that they seem to prefer. When I go there I hear them under the canopies and inside they are chattering all day.

Tim

Tim C. WI/MI border.

[Serena]

I saw a HOSP pair this spring in my yard for the first time in the six years I’ve been here. It is very much not their usual habitat: rural property, next to the woods on the outskirts of town, no farms nearby. We had an unusually warm winter here and I wonder if their population/habitat temporarily (I hope) expanded as a result.

I’ve had the DRST baited (millet, feathers) and out for weeks since I first saw them (and took down my feeder which had high quality seed), moved it to various places in the yard, but have not trapped a single bird or even seen or heard them around for weeks.

I am hoping, like you, that they have just moved on (especially since the BBs so far won’t accept the spooker, see my other post). An ornithologist writing in the NY Times recently said that in his yard, when they show up he temporarily removes his feeders and they are soon gone due to lack of an easy food supply.

[David in Stafford,VA]

Carol, I am sorry to post this to your thread, but my new topic went to the moderators for some reason.

This just happened a few minutes ago. The eggs were due to hatch on Sunday.

David
Stafford, VA

[phillyblues]

Wish mine were gone. I lost count how many I have trapped this year. Next day another 2 or 3 take their place.Must be someone on the block who got a hosp bird feeders for Christmas. Worst bird year ever in general here.

[blue diamonds]

David, so sad to see ALL 5 eggs ruined. Do you think it was HOSP or house wrens? And the attack was so close to hatch day. I’m sure you had a sparrow spooker up…..any idea of how this happened? I hope your pair will rebuild soon.

Judy – Michigan

[David in Stafford,VA]

Thanks Judy. No, I did not have a spooker up as I have not seen HOSP for quite a few years. This all happened in a few minutes. I was putting feed in my nut and fruit feeder when I heard the blues chirping, like when I go out to check the nest. I saw the female taking a male HOSP to the ground and the male trying to help. I went inside to get my pellet rifle and when I returned they had all flown into the trees. I went out to check the nest and that is what I found.
I ordered a trap today and I will build a spooker for the next box. I do hope to get a shot at the HOSP pair in the near future.

David
Stafford, VA

[Serena]

That is just heartbreaking. :( So sorry. I hope your BB pair is nesting again soon and good luck in ensuring the HOSP won’t have a chance to repeat this in future.

[phillyblues]

So sorry Dave. I’ve been there 2 years ago Not a lot of bluebirds in my area and I lost 5 babies who were due to fledge that very day to a HOSP attack. Last year my eggs and mom vanished without a trace.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Oh, David, SO SORRY TO SEE THIS – just shows all of us how those HOSP can kill and how necessary it is to have a spooker up to at least help. I don’t believe I have had any kills when I have a spooker up – they are fantastic I think. And Phillyblues, sorry for your loss also.
PLEASE EVERYONE – ESPECIALLY NEWCOMERS. The house Sparrow (HOSP) are capable of killing any bird they can get to with no problem at all. We must guard against them and the VanErt trap is a valuable instrument in ridding these killers. Anyone here can help you with where to get these.

Just a thought, David – was this attack from a HOSP or maybe a wren since they were on the ground?

[Connie Neer]

Hi Dave:
So heartbreaking to see those almost hatched eggs on the ground. I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope you have eliminated the nasty so and so, so the next brood can live in peace.
Sassy (Connie PA)

[David in Stafford,VA]

Carol, thanks for the comforting thoughts. I know that it was HOSP. I mentioned above that this is all happened in a few minutes. I was putting feed in my nut and fruit feeder when I heard the blues chirping, like when I go out to check the nest. I actually saw the female taking a male HOSP to the ground and the male trying to help. I went inside to get my pellet rifle and when I returned they had all flown into the trees. I went out to check the nest and that is what I found.
I ordered a trap today and I will build a spooker for the next box. I do hope to get a shot at the HOSP pair in the near future. Looking forward to a second nest.

David
Stafford, VA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Hope you get that 2nd nest, David. I believe my blues are interested in a 2nd nesting as I have seen them at two different boxes. BUT I also hear and have removed sticks from a wren’s nest and still hear it. I check on “their” box very often to play the game of “pick up sticks” which keeps them busy and away from the BB nests, since we are not legally able to dispose of them. P.S. I really have fun playing this game with the wrens!

[tamsea]

Whoa, that’s a heartbreaking photo, especially since they are so developed. My attacks usually happen earlier. I would be enraged!! (As I know you are)

Tammy

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