Hi all,
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Great comments about the decline of the House Sparrow (HOSP).? I've talked to perplexed English folks who have no idea why their birds are gone, and as Rob Sandelin points out, any time any bird declines, you have to worry.
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But our VIOLET-GREEN SWALLOWS have been back for two days now and the local House Sparrows?have been starting in on them, perching?above the nest box with the intent to bully them, presumably out of?jealousy as the HOSPs have not been interested in the boxes all spring until the swallows showed up.
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I've been out patrolling in front of our house and shooting HOSPs on sight with a SUPER-SOAKER and wishing at times I had something more effective: a ?HOSP can size up the danger of a Super-soaker in a nanosecond.? Any power it?may have stems only from the fact that they learn you are against them being in certain places.
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Every year it breaks my heart to see Violet-green couples investigating air-conditioning ducts and other worthless sites, so I'm urging everyone who hasn't already?to BUILD or BUY and PLACE a Violet-green nestbox?if you have a reasonably high?spot under an?overhanging eave.
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Purchase nest boxes from?Wild?Birds Unlimited stores, the?Seattle Audubon Society, or my web page at
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http://ednewbold.com/art_store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=13&products_id=251
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Anyone who participated in the 2009 YARDBIRDRACE who has a potential site can get one free, just email me and let you know you need it, Thanks again.
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Sine this post is technically an advertisement?and is therefore ILLEGAL under Tweeters (tough-on bird-related entrepreneurs, no-way-to-advertise) guidelines, I'll donate half the money grossed (if any) to the American Bird Conservancy.
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For those who BUILD THEIR OWN box, a diamond shaped hole 2 1/2 inches wide?that maxes at 7/8 high?is good enough for them to get in.? The box shouldn't be too small, but otherwise, I suspect it's size doesn't matter since V-gs have always had to accept what they get.
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Thanks all,
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Ed Newbold www.ednewbold.com? residential Beacon Hill, Seattle, WA
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