Re: Question on Martins and Sparrows
Kathy Klimkiewicz (Kathy_Klimkiewicz@usgs.gov)
Fri, 15 May 1998 12:55:32 -0600
Usually the sparrows are problems for martins. They build on top of
martin nests, peck martin eggs, and kill the young. It is safe to get
rid of the sparrows at any time. As far as disposing of nests and eggs
of sparrow, I would suggest doing this only prior to egg laying by the
martins. Sparrows are vindictive and will destroy martin eggs and
young if you disturb the nest after martins lay eggs.
Cheers,
Kathy Klimkiewicz
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Subject: Question on Martins and Sparrows
Author: mdosprey@ARI.Net at NBS-Internet-Gateway
Date: 5/14/98 1:54 PM
All: Does anyone know much about the interaction of purple martins and
house sparrows? There are a couple of very active martin houses down in
Solomons near the sailing club and I've noticed two years in a row that
there seem to be a lot of both birds early and then later in the Spring,
there are only martins. I'm only there on weekends now and then so I
don't have any continuous observations to tell me whether the sparrows
just move out or whether the martins drive them out. This question has
taken on a more personal relevance this week since I have one pair of
martins that have filled up 3 holes in the 12 hole house in my backyard
in Adelphi and two days ago, some sparrows started landing and look to
be staking a claim to some of the holes. The martins are still around
but seem to have moved arond to the other side of the house. I'd like
to disposses the sparrows but don't want to upset the martins. Any
suggestions? Thanx in advance. Hutch
Carl Hutchinson
Adelphi, MD
coolspring@hotmail.com
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