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Han anyone tried using monofilament fishing line as a sparrow spooker. I have a guide from an Ohio Wild Bird organization that uses the fishing line on both sides of the nestbox opening, and another as a rectangle with an optional X pattern on the nestbox roof.
It is said to be effective against House Sparrows.David
Stafford, VAI’ve read about this method but haven’t tried it myself. I bought a pre-made spooker from Uncle Blaine and it is doing the job so far, knock wood.
David, somewhere here (probably on the main bluebird site (Sialis.org) tells that this fishing line is not recommended because other birds (including Blues) can get caught in it and get hurt. The Van-Earp trap is the way to stop those HOSP. But you could give it a try until you get something better.
Yes, I just checked and it is the Sialis.org website (which has oodles of information about bluebirds) that tells about this fishing line matter (it is the very first big paragraph on their website). Good luck!David. The new way of putting on fishing line is recommended now and many people swear by it. The fishing line doesn’t hang like the old method.
I’ll find that link and show you.
I used the old method years ago and the fishing line worked well at first in keeping the house sparrows away but later the house sparrows seemed to adjust to it. I haven’t tried this newer method but several prominent bluebird people use it successfully.
I just do the sparrow spooker but may try this some day.
You’re supposed to just leave it on indefinitely and my concern is that the HOSP would get used to that.Tammy
Thank You Tammy. This is the information sheet that I received from the owner of a wild bird store in Fredericksburg, VA named (of all things) “Wrens and Sparrows”. I am going to try it for our next nest. I have received my Van Ert trap but have not seen the sparrows since they destroyed the eggs. I have the materials to build a Mylar spooker also and will put that up after the first egg if the BB pair return to the box.
David
Stafford, VA
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