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Jill, that happens occasionally but not very often. I don’t believe there’s a fix. There’s a new trap out there from a different vendor that fixed that problem. It has a piece of thick plastic? that covers the hole instead. So HOSP can not escape. It also has a shelter box that the HOSP can go into at night and get out of the elements during the day. There are a couple of downsides to the trap but over all I love it. Now because of Covid and the cost of products and shipping issues, it’s way too expensive.
One way you can help with that on your old trap is to clip the wings of your House Sparrows after you catch them. So as a decoy, they have clipped wings. So that if they do escape they most likely will not make it. I’ll show you some photos of this new trap from Troyers if you are interested. (they sell purple martin housing and products)Tammy
Sorry for your problems, Dave. I know little to nothing about Word Press platform. But I can help get in touch with Cher so she can help. Now I know how to accept posts when needed. It isn’t personal, just a glitch. Did you see my message with an additional way to contact me.
Tammy
I should just let Carol answer because she’s so good at it. That is probably a Carolina Wren and they are awesome birds to have. It’s the House Wrens that will take over your nestboxes and peck eggs. So enjoy that Carolina Wren. They nest in the most fun places.
Tammy
Sounds like a raccoon. But it could have been any wild animal I guess. I’ve never had it happen personally but I’ve heard of it plenty of times. I have had my trap smashed a little from a nighttime visitor. If it tipped over the wire flap that goes into the holding area would be open and the house sparrow could escape. I’ve had them lift that up and escape that’s way.
I just heard someone on FB say that something pulled a house sparrow out of their trap. The decoy was gone and there were feathers all over.Tammy
Yes. Definitely get rid of them. See what others say but I would put some sort of ant control at the bottom of your pole like Sevin. Also I would put 1/4 tsp under the nest. It’s safe used like that. Purple Martin landlords use it all the time in their nests for mites. Get the 5% Sevin dust with *Carbaryl* in it. There’s one similar with a different active ingredient and you don’t want that.
If you’re totally against using this then you are going to need to do what I said at the bottom of the pole and also do a nest change. Make sure there are no ants crawling up the pole either.Tammy
Cute!!! They definitely know which birds are dangerous and which aren’t. They treat house finches the same.
Tammy
Hi Robbe. Go to your mailbox (Top right corner on your PC. Or on your phone it’s at the bottom kind of hidden) and message Cher. Her username is The Original Bluebirdnut. Start rooting her username in and out should pop up. Sometimes that doesn’t work. If you don’t hear from her, let me know. Either on this thread or message me.
Tammy
I love the grid style feeder too! Best one out there. HOSP will find it but this season they haven’t noticed it. It does keep out this piggy robins.
Tammy
I like to help them fed the babies so I continue a little. And it’s fun when they parents bring the babies back.
Tammy
Carol, I don’t have Carolina Wrens here but in my opinion that’s unusual and even rare but possible. They aren’t aggressive birds but if the CAWR builds a nest and lays eggs, it might protect that box. And that would chase your bluebirds away. Interested in what others say.
Tammy
The photo situation here isn’t ideal. I haven’t figured out how I want to do it. I used to use a Photobucket but that isn’t an option anymore. I’ll let others give info on that. You have to use another website and share your photos from there.
I think some use Imgur.Tammy
Are you the Dave whose post I accidentally lost? Sorry.
They could be feeding babies. That’s what it sounds like. They definitely aren’t storing up food.
And they could be removing it from the top of the house too. It’s not a good idea to feed them on the roof of your house as it draws other birds to your nestbox. Put the dish on a plant stand or something that’s high and place or right in front of the nest box. When they find it move it a little further away until it’s where you want it. I feed mine from my patio. Sometimes I throw mealworms right outside my sliding glass door and they come right up to it. That would be fun for you.Tammy
Why can’t the TRES use the Gilbertson?
What kind of box is not supposed to let a bluebird in. I’m not aware of this type of box. It’s hard to put photos on here. Can you give me a brand. Are you worried that the bluebird pair won’t be able to get in and out of that one?
Usually if you try to manipulate them into taking a certain box, it doesn’t work. Ask me how I know. LOL Sometimes it doesn’t work and the bluebird doesn’t even nest with me because of my interference. But I’m like you and still try it. I want my bluebirds using my box in my fenced in yard so I can see what’s going on easier.Tammy
