I think you should turn those "all purpose" nest boxes into boxes for the
violet-green swallows. If you go to the PMCA website (purple martin
conservation association) and look up traps, they have very nice looking but
effective traps for S&S. I think you should consider purchasing one. Let me
know if you have anymore questions.

Blake Iverson
Arlington, WA
coopershwk at hotmail.com


>From: Jpsdiver at aol.com
>Reply-To: Jpsdiver at aol.com
>To: tweeters at u.washington.edu
>Subject: ? about nest boxes
>Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 12:27:56 EST
>
>After reading several comments about starlings and h.sparrows I'm growing
>concerned about my nest boxes. This is my 3rd year of serious birding and I
>have five nest boxes in my yard. One for n.flicker, which flickers and
>starlings are showing a lot of interest in. One for Green Swallows. Three,
>are an "all purpose" box with about a 2 inch opening. The sparrows and
>chickadees are showing interest, especially the sparrows. At any given time
>I
>have about 3 to 5 Starlings in my yard and maybe the same amount of
>sparrows.
>I also have an abundant amount of other species of birds.
> My question, finally, what should I do about the three "all purpose "
>boxes? I was thinking of decreasing the opening so the sparrows could not
>enter. Since I've been birding I have had no increase in sparrow activity
>and
>have seen no aggressive behavior, not yet. Comments much appreciated!
>
>Jeff Smith
>jpsdiver at aol.com
>Parkland,WA.




Blake Iverson


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