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Scot, did you put that House sparrow that you killed in your DRST as a decoy? That’s what you need to do. I’ve had my trap out for a week and caught nothing. Yesterday I trapped one with my VAn Ert and put him in the DRST and before dark I had another male in there. HOSP draws HOSP. I was only catching natives before this. So use your Van Ert to catch a decoy for the other trap. Even if you have to get another cheap box to use for that purpose.
Tammy
How cold did it get? The decoys last quite awhile if you cover them at night. Aren’t you up north somewhere? Canada? I’m trying to remember.
Tammy
In my experience even if a bluebird nests in a box with an old nest it still adds it’s own nesting material. It is just instinct. There’s a good chance they already started adding nesting material to the exsisting nest, that’s why we recommended that you do it in January. Keep us posted. I bet they come back in the next few months.
Tammy
I think the snake netting works, Lisa. As long as it’s high enough and bushy enough. Sorry, you are having snake problems. I’m so glad we don’t have many up here. Only on one nest did I find a whole nest of newly hatched babies missing. One day they were there and the next day everyone was missing. The nest wasn’t messed up and so I thought it had to be a snake. That was the only time.
Tammy
Lisa, I saw a house sparrow take out hatchlings one at a time. I’ve never seen a momma bird take out one of her own eggs, although sometimes there’s one missing. I agree, most of the time she just leaves it in the nest.
Tammy
Someone on here talked about getting or building one, I can’t remember who. And Fred knows a little about them. I’m not a believer yet. Yes, the adults have a second escape route but it also means that the House Sparrows have a second entrance route to get the eggs and babies. But, some people think they’re the best thing out there. Give it a try and see what you think.
Tammy
Did you take it out in the middle of Jan when you first asked us this question? Or just recently? Had you bluebirds already started adding tonitnwhen you removed it?
Tammy
Lisa, it very well could be a HOSP or a house wren. I had a HOSP a couple of years ago that would remove tiny babies one at a time. And house wrens are notorious for doing that to eggs. But if you have never seen a HOSP at your house then I doubt it’s a HOSP. Do you have house wrens? Where do you live? It’s too early for house wren activity up here. Hopefully the momma took it out. All you can do is watch.
Tammy
