Ok to lower gourd rack while Martin's are flying around?

[Lancaster House]

Hello everyone, I'm new to purple martins. We have one pair that has been with us about a week. I can see that they are building a nest in one of the gourds. We also have some sparrows that are interested in the gourds. I set a Troyer trap and I think that I may have trapped a sparrow. Is it okay to lower the rack of gourds while the Martins are flying above? I want to make sure that I have not trapped a third Martin. Or should I wait until the afternoon when they leave for a while?

Thanks!

[Dave Duit]

Yes, check the trap for a sparrow. When you have set out a trap, it is important that you watch the trap at all times.

[-=DKC=-]

It's best not to lower gourds in the morning during egg laying or at night while the birds are inside sleeping.

Other than that, my birds don't seem very concerned about me doing nest checks at any time. And when I have traps set I may lower the rack multiple times in a day.

Sometimes my birds fly off to eat while I do nest checks and come back when I'm finished. Other times they sit on power lines and watch the whole process. They seem to understand that we aren't a threat.

[Lancaster House]

Dave and DKC,

Thanks for your quick replies. I just checked the trap and it indeed was the pesky sparrow that was trying to claim a gourd. I don't think it was trapped for more than 1 hour. He is no longer a threat to my first pair.

Thanks again!

[-=DKC=-]

Dave and DKC,

Thanks for your quick replies. I just checked the trap and it indeed was the pesky sparrow that was trying to claim a gourd. I don't think it was trapped for more than 1 hour. He is no longer a threat to my first pair.

Thanks again!

Good job! Your Martins will appreciate that.

[BillieJR]

Welcome to the group, Lancaster House! And great job on eliminating one of those miserable creatures!