Our house was new last year - no takers. This past week someone checked the house to find a nest in one of the compartments - not a Purple Martin nest and no martins seen yet this year. The nesting holes have the half-circle guards on them and we thought it would keep other birds out. There are both House Sparrows and Tree Swallows nearby. Can both these species enter a box with those guards in place?
We are very new at this so any helpful comments are appreciated. Below is a link to photos of the house I am speaking of.
http://www.southernadirondackaudubon.or ... ation.html
Mona
South Glens Falls, NY
Question on intruder nest
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to daveduit@yahoo.com. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Mona and the crew, you all rock ythe birding world. Thanks for all your efforts.
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GFB
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2018 5:05 pm
- Location: Ontario NY
- Martin Colony History: I Started my first colony with my father in the late 1960's. Started building custom vinyl Martin houses last year 2018 and was successful with 10 birds fledged and it looks like several dozen birds are hanging around. Time to expand.
2018: 1 T-14 and 6 gourds. Fledged 10
2019: 2 T-14's and 6 gourds. Fledged 70
2020: 2 T-14's and 6 gourds. Fledged 111
2021: 2 T-14's and 18 gourds Fledged 186
2022: 2 T-14's and 18 gourds Fledged 208
Mona,
I can only guess, If it were a house sparrow almost the entire compartment would be full of nest material. A tree swallow would be much smaller and more of a nest shape.
I can only guess, If it were a house sparrow almost the entire compartment would be full of nest material. A tree swallow would be much smaller and more of a nest shape.
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The simple answer to your question is Yes, both House Sparrows and Tree Swallows can enter the crescent shaped opening. It is a (SREH) Starling Resistant Entrance Hole intended to keep Starlings out. GFB has given some good examples to determine the intruder.
Jeff
Thanks for the comments. I did not see the nest so I can't determine the intruding species that way. If it occurs again, I'll ask that they take a photo before removing the nest material. I am familiar with both species' nests as I monitor Eastern Bluebird trails. I erroneously thought the semi-circular guards kept other species out.
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John & Linda - KY
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Hawesville
Tree swallow nests usually contain one or more feathers. They are a native species, I'm not sure if you're allowed to remove nests, especially if they contain eggs. -- John
Thank you for your comment. I understand about disturbance of any kind when a native species is involved. I should have been more complete with previous comments and said that I have spoken to the person who removed the nest material, explained the restrictions on nest disturbance, and asked him to take a photo to send me first so I can determine if it is a House Sparrow nest. Lots of education necessary as we go forward with this!
I am very appreciative of this forum. Advice from those who have experience is invaluable.
I am very appreciative of this forum. Advice from those who have experience is invaluable.