[stumpy75]

On disposal of HOSPs.

HOSP Disposal

On Blaine’s site, there is a series on pics showing a HOSP entering the elevator, being on the bottom and going into the trap… Not a video, but maybe a sequence??

• This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by stumpy75.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by stumpy75.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

Just a quick update… My battle with HOSPs continues. I have trapped 4 males out of a Bluebird box using the VanErt trap, and placed them as decoys in the repeating traps. I’m still getting a couple a day with the repeating trap.

Yesterday, with sparrows around, I set the VanErt trap again, and within 15 minutes, caught something. However, this time, it was a male bluebird!!

Oh course, he was immediately released. Sure hope he comes back though! :-)

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

I’ve seen the wrens around for the past 2-3 weeks, and caught them at least twice in my repeating trap… Was glad to see they found the box, as many people I know already had the first brood of BBs in their boxes, and I figured it was a little late for my box.

Now, with the nest mostly destroyed, it will be interesting to see who comes back to the box.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

Well, for the past week, I thought I had a pair of Carolina Wrens setting up house in my BB box. They were coming in and out as if they were serious…

Then, this morning, I saw a male HOSP going in and out… I set a VanErt trap, and within 30 minutes had a large male HOSP in which to bait the repeating trap with. But he was so frantic in the BB box that he knocked most of the wren nest out of the bottom ventilation slot. So, I guess we’ll see if the wrens come back. I did see a male BB sitting on top of the box two days ago, even as the wrens were around. Don’t know who would have won that fight… Kind of a wet and drizzly day here today, and not many birds at my feeders this morning.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

Have 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, Ohio

[stumpy75]

I was at Swan Creek Metropark in the back of one of the prairies on the west side of the park. Kind of stumbled into them. Realized that there were a few BBs around, and then realized that every small bird around us was a BB! Stood and watched for about 15 minutes. It was a clear, sunny, bright day, and both the males and females really stood out!

And, yes, we have seen them there all winter(not in those numbers though), as well as at Wildwood and Secor Metroparks.

Just put up a box today, although with the forecast 4-8″ of snow for Thursday, it will probably just get snowcovered for now…

• This reply was modified 8 years, 2 months ago by stumpy75.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 2 months ago by stumpy75.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

In a local park this morning, I found myself in a flock of over 20 bluebirds. Guess they are back in NW Ohio too, although some always overwinter.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 2 months ago by stumpy75.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

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, Ohio

[stumpy75]

So how are you doing with winter trapping? I’m seeing mixed results. A lot some days, but 0 for days on end…

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

I’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, Ohio

[stumpy75]

Catching 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, Ohio

[stumpy75]

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, Ohio

[stumpy75]

I pulled mine tonight because of the possibility of early morning snow. I’ll put them back out after it stops.

I ended up getting a second trap, but it looks like I have it in the wrong spot, as I’ve caught nothing but juncos. I put the new one out a couple of days ago, so I’ll try another area when I put it back out. My original trap, in the original spot, is still trapping them fairly regularly(another 30 since the first of the year). The trapping has slowed some, and I’m not seeing as many HOSPs around, so maybe I’m finally making a dent in the population. With it looking like we are now going to really see more winterlike weather in the next few weeks, it will be interesting to see how many I trap.

I’ve also watched several chickadees get onto the elevator, but they seem to be too light for it, and it just goes down a little bit, which scares them enough that they bolt out of there really quick! That’s fine with me, as I don’t want to trap them anyways!

I have put a trail camera out pointing towards my compost pile, where I have been disposing of the HOSPs. Cats, opossums and raccoons seem to like the area now, as well as an occasional Coopers Hawk.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 3 months ago by stumpy75.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

madamewingnut wrote:

I generally use white bread as bait, but you are having better success than me right now – are you using millet and peanuts? What is your bait of choice?

I use the same bait as what is in my feeder, as they are mobbing it right now. It’s mostly hulled sunflower seed, mixed about 4:1 with white millet. (4 scoops sunflower to 1 scoop millet). I get a 50lb bag of the sunflower for about $51 at a local seed store(Oaks Feeds), and the white millet at a nursery which stays open in the winter with bird feeding supplies(Black Diamond, $0.29/lb). I also have tried just straight millet, but if it’s windy at all, it just gets blown out of the trap… I’m going to try some bread though, as maybe that will be a nice change in windy conditions.

I’ve been taking my trap into the garage at night, but that’s getting to be real work, so I think I’m going to try and just find something to cover it with. I might have an old mat around here somewhere. They do make a mess of the plywood that I put under it, so I’ve got several different boards to put under the trap, especially when taking it in the garage. And, yes, newpaper when in the garage… I’ve even taken the boards to a spray car wash(in the back of an old pickup ) to clean them off. Shouldn’t have to do that in normal weather, but since we have been really dry this year, they don’t seem to get cleaned naturally.

With the forecast winds(>50mph gusts) and rain we had a few days ago, I pulled the trap completely for a day, and the next day, had no takers… Maybe they were recovering from the blow, as my feeder didn’t have much activity either. I’ve caught another 48 since 12/20(254 total), and there are hundreds more around the yard.

I’m also considering getting a second trap. I’ve noticed that 8-10 HOSP seem to be the maximum I ever catch at once. I have a feeling that with about that many in the trap, they may start getting the others a bit leery. Or maybe it’s just my luck…

Carol – Mid-Mo and Tammy: I’ll take a closer look at the VanErt trap as spring gets closer. Sounds like a winner!

• This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by stumpy75.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by stumpy75.
• This reply was modified 8 years, 4 months ago by stumpy75.

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

[stumpy75]

Thanks for all the info! I think due to the record warm weather, I’m not seeing hardly any birds either at my feeder or in the trap in the last few days. I do see the HOSPs flying around though…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Chris
Toledo, Ohio

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