OK. So I'm standing in the Wild Bird Center and the guy says "If you live
in the country you won't have trouble with house sparrows."

I said, "Yes, but everyone on my birding list says I should get the
elongated hole to keep sparrows out."

"You won't have any problem he insists." and wanders off.

I stop and think. Well, I've not seen a house sparrow in the year that
we've lived there and I sure like this box. So....

Against my soon-to-be-proven better judgment I buy the box.

I hang it up.

You guys give me great advice.

The swallows love it.

So do the house sparrows.

Who have materialized out of nowhere and are now trying to take up residence
in, what has become, the most desirable nesting box in three counties (an
assumption based solely upon the number of house sparrows who've suddenly
arrived!).

Anyone seen the neon sign they're following?

So...

I call the Wild Bird Center. "So much for no house sparrow problems" I say.

"Don't worry," the owner says, just come get another preditor guard with a
smaller hole. That's the secret to the elongated hole. It's only an inch
and a quarter.

So I rush over after work, pick up the correct preditor guard with the round
1 1/4" hole and dash off home. Ben hurries up the 12 feet of ladder and
places the new preditor guard on the box. No nesting going on yet, just
bird poop inside the box (bet ya can't guess who's).

Whew! Just in time.

This morning I go out and there, hanging on the side of the box, looking in
the hole, is a VG swallow. I'm so happy I practically dance across the yard!

And then....

I'm sure you all have an inkling of what's going to happen.....

In swoops the male house sparrow, full blast, terrifying the swallow and
scaring it away from the nest box. He then proceeds to sit on top of the
box singing and keeping everyone else away. All the while bouncing between
the roof of the box and hanging on the side looking in the hole.

I never did see him go inside so I can't actually say he fits, but his
ferocious guarding of the box makes me suspicious.

Am I doomed?

Peggi



Peggi Rodgers
Oregon Research Institute
Eugene, OR
peggir at ori.org
prodgers at efn.org
"A bird does not sing because it has an
answer, It sings because it has a song"