I have a trail with 5 houses. I have had 3 active bluebird nests each year since 2010. This year I only have 1 nest. I have a influx of English (House) sparrows that I never had before. They have liternally taken over the place, stuffing grass and anything they can find in every hole, crack, and crevice on the property. They kill adult bluebirds and use their feathers in their nest, which is built on top of an active bluebird nest. They are ruthless ! and so agressive and persistent ! For a ten day stretch, I pulled their nesting material completely out of each house; only to find they were able to rebuild and lay eggs within 24 hours.
English sparrows have contributed greatly to the demise of native American songbird species over the past 125 years, sice they were introduced into Central Park in NYC. They are actually Weaver Finches, not sparrows at all.
My action plan: I purchased a ST-1 sparrow Live trap and am going to remove every House Sparrow from my property via relocation by June 30.
My poor lonely only pair of Bluebirds on the trail this year. They have to contstantly fend off attacks from House Sparrows.
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