[phillyblues]

Hahaha! I swear they are everywhere all of a sudden. Another pair out there now trying to setup shop. Awful creatures. Why can’t we figure out what is killing them in Europe and apply it here????

[phillyblues]

I was going through a dry spell. All of a sudden sparrows started invading my yard and seemed to be avoiding my traps. Finally caught 3 males this week with Van Ert. But it wasn’t easy. Nothing is going in the ground trap.

[phillyblues]

We have 4 now…

Weird I always thought 5 was the norm but I always seem to get 4.

[phillyblues]

I think it’s best to trap HOSP like crazy and then put the spooker or fishing line up just after the bluebirds lay eggs.

[phillyblues]

I had a nest built early on and then they disappeared for weeks! I thought they abandoned but then this week they finally showed up and laid eggs. It has been a pretty miserable cold spring in SE PA up until this week so maybe they were staying warm somewhere. Weird though.

[phillyblues]

Slowly but surely. I guess she’ll be laying another this morning? This is egg number two. Hope I didn’t disturb #3

[phillyblues]

Best of luck Julie! Stay hopeful. I was preoccupied with my latest obsession of feeding orioles. I have been trying for years and finally have had several male oriole visits! So beautiful.

[phillyblues]

Yes that awful chirp turns my stomach! My empty nest has an egg finally!! Today I checked with no expectations and saw the mom fly out. Haven’t seen her in weeks so I am ecstatic. The weather is finally warming up.

[phillyblues]

Happy to report that this morning I saw the momma pop her head out of the box after several weeks of no sightings and an empty nest. I snapped a photo inside and we have our first egg of 22!

[phillyblues]

Got my first finally too. The nest was ready weeks ago so I thought they abandoned or something happened to mama. So thrilled today when I saw her head pop out.

[phillyblues]

I caught two just after this post. The one had a nest on a nearby spruce. Finally got rid of them.

[phillyblues]

I am having a hecknof a time catching any lately. I have a generic ground trap which has been very successful. But I think nesting season might make them less deperate. I don’t know.

[phillyblues]

I personally like to get the males in the grave as soon as possible. They are important to rid of during nesting season. I have had too many find their way out and I regretted ut.

• This reply was modified 4 years ago by phillyblues.

[phillyblues]

Still no eggs and no sign of male or female. I wonder what happened. So depressing.

[phillyblues]

For the ground trap i just hold the bag over the exit side and shake them in very hard up and down until they fall in. Wear gloves. Grab the net and shake them to the bottom.the box i find trickier because you can’t see them until you open the door and they rtry to get out any exposed hole.

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