Less than 200 years ago, there were no House Sparrows in North America.
Initially, eight pairs were released in Brooklyn, NY in either 1850 or 1851 by a single person/group of New Yorkers. Apparently they died before they could breed.
Accounts differ, but it appears that in 1850 Nicholas Pike, Director of the Brooklyn Institute, purchased the first 8 pairs of sparrows from Liverpool, England (the cost of the trip was $200 per Barrows). He released the 8 pairs in the spring of 1851. They did not "thrive."
The following year (1851) he oversaw purchase of another 25 pairs of birds that were released along the East River. (Barrows [1889] reported 100 birds purchased by Pike from England released in fall the 1851 and spring 1852.)
The rest wintered under the care of the Brooklyn Institute, and were released in 1853 in Greenwood Cemetery.
THANKS A LOT!!!!
Dang you Nicholas Pike
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Chriscreole
- Posts: 781
- Joined: Tue Aug 17, 2010 9:31 am
- Location: Texas, Hutto
Yeah thanks for a great trap Blain, I'm not missing the 80+ that are no longer here either.
PMCA Member since 2010
Super System 24, All Troyer W/Conley 2 entrances.
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Martin man RI
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Sun Dec 14, 2003 7:04 pm
- Location: MA/RI area
I have read information that House sparrows were released in good numbers here in RI back in the day. I have the world record for killing sparrows since i have been doing it 22 years now. I think the town were they were released was Wakefield Rhode Island. Some did not make the first time then there was a second try and the rest is history. If i got a dime
for every HOSP I feed to the animals I would be as rich as Donald Trump!
There very smart and they know when your after them.
Ray
for every HOSP I feed to the animals I would be as rich as Donald Trump!
There very smart and they know when your after them.
Ray
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KathyF
- Posts: 3522
- Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
- Location: Missouri/Licking
- Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.
I agree - it is quite a task to rid your site of these pests.
I did hear a small ray of hope though. when working with a local elderly landlord a few weeks ago, he mentioned that "you know when I was a kid, the HOSP were all over the place. sure don't see as many of them today as we used to". I'm not sure if it's because of raised awareness, bluebirders, or more people with shotguns, or natural causes, but maybe, SOMETHING is happening to help reduce their numbers.
I did hear a small ray of hope though. when working with a local elderly landlord a few weeks ago, he mentioned that "you know when I was a kid, the HOSP were all over the place. sure don't see as many of them today as we used to". I'm not sure if it's because of raised awareness, bluebirders, or more people with shotguns, or natural causes, but maybe, SOMETHING is happening to help reduce their numbers.
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
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jeffwilliams72
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:22 am
- Location: Indiana/Carthage
I would like to build a time machine and shoot Nicholas Pike right in the eye with my favorite HOSP rifle!!!
2008/1st pair/ 4 fledged
2009-2010 visitors only
2011/2 pr/9 eggs/8 fledged
2012/9pr/33 fledged
2013/27pr/101 fledged
2009-2010 visitors only
2011/2 pr/9 eggs/8 fledged
2012/9pr/33 fledged
2013/27pr/101 fledged
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Apparently Nicholas wasn't the only one. A martin buddy just returned from Hawaii and was complaining that house sparrow "cheeping" was everywhere. I had no idea there were house sparrows in Hawaii.
So did a little research. House sparrows were released throughout the U.S. in the 1870s, and some in Hawaii. It was thought they would eat agricultual insect pests. However, it was soon observed that house sparrows only take bugs to feed their babies. Then...they all switch to grain -- ..too late!
whew, John M
So did a little research. House sparrows were released throughout the U.S. in the 1870s, and some in Hawaii. It was thought they would eat agricultual insect pests. However, it was soon observed that house sparrows only take bugs to feed their babies. Then...they all switch to grain -- ..too late!
whew, John M