Subject: Re: Swallow box saga continues
Date: May 22 10:14:35 1996
From: Janet Partlow - partlowj at elwha.evergreen.edu


Hi Peggy & tweets,
I lived in the middle of urban Olympia WA and I had the same
problem. I did buy the box with the special elongated hole and it did
attract both house sparrows and VG swallows. The sparrows could not get
into the box, but they persisted in defending it. They stood on top of
it, hollered, tried over and over again to get inside and effectively
terrorized the VG swallows out of using it. I have heard of others who
have had the same problem. I solved it by putting up a second box in a
location 30 feet away. The VG swallows switched; the sparrows didnt and
it worked that year. Somebody ( I can't remember who) developed a
"sparrow guard/baffle" on the roof of the box on the edge over the
whole. It prevents the sparrow from leaning over and looking in.
Reports are that it does work, but I haven't seen it myself.
Good luck!
Janet Partlo
elwha.evergreen.edu

On Wed, 22 May 1996, Peggi Rodgers wrote:

> 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"
>
>