Garden Pests and Diseases: Eliminating House Sparrows an European Starlings, 1 by Stelco

Stelco wrote:
Well, I'm afraid that I don't always follow the rules. I plan to improve my small trail this fall and will take some photos then. I adopted this trail and decided to devote more time to the Purple Martin housing than the Bluebird housing. With the number of Tree Swallows and Bluebirds at this site I need to do more for them. My main goal will not be following the rules as much as "House Sparrow proofing" the site. From memory, I lost six or seven clutches of Tree Swallows to HOSP and one clutch of Bluebird eggs. Every site is different. I have had Tree Swallows and Bluebirds nest on my land where I only hang out a plastic gourd for the TRES, by the lake. It is occupied every year. With only an acre, I just have a couple of Bluebird boxes up. For those it is first come, first served. This year my single occupied Bluebird box fledged seven out of the eight Black-Capped Chickadees eggs.

I found this photo, which is similar to what I suggested. They are not mounted on the same pole, which costs more, but may increase the chances of getting TRES and EABL to nest in close proximity. They also lack a predator guard. Predator guards can be purchased online or at a birding store. A simple one that seems to work is to buy a plastic bucket at the Dollar Store and cut a hole in the bottom just large enough to fit over the pole that you use. Before you mount the house attach a hose clamp where the bucket should stop, invert the bucket and slide it down to the clamp, which will stop the bucket.

Mark