This is my second year of having purple Martin's. I only had one pair last year. Laid three eggs and fledged all three. This year. I've put a gourd up and it is mostly filled. So excited! However, in one of my gourds I believe that I have a pair of HOSP trying to build a nest. I know I need to get rid of them and they're smart little devils. The minute I walk outside they are gone. Can I destroy their nest and block that gourd without them harming any of the purple martins? Believe it or not I go out several times a day to get them or chase them off. At the same time I explained to the purple Martin's that they need to grow with you to chase them away. Purple Martin's are just two gentle in nature to fight back. Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
***Duplicate. Please delete.***
Question about HOSP
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Hanover Bill
- Posts: 656
- Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 3:10 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania/Hanover Township
- Martin Colony History: 2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
Barb07;
Unfortunately there is no easy solution to the HOSP problem. They are the bane of the Purple Martin Landlord. Outside of shooting or trapping there is very little you can do to discourage them. Your idea of blocking their particular gourd may work, but one always has to be aware of the "revenge factor" when dealing with these nasty critters. They will not hesitate to attack your Martins if provoked.
In my case after 10 years I think my constant shooting, trapping, and tearing out their nests has finally put a dent in their population as I see very few of them around here anymore. Perseverence and patience are the key words to winning the battle.
Good Luck;
Hanover Bill.
Unfortunately there is no easy solution to the HOSP problem. They are the bane of the Purple Martin Landlord. Outside of shooting or trapping there is very little you can do to discourage them. Your idea of blocking their particular gourd may work, but one always has to be aware of the "revenge factor" when dealing with these nasty critters. They will not hesitate to attack your Martins if provoked.
In my case after 10 years I think my constant shooting, trapping, and tearing out their nests has finally put a dent in their population as I see very few of them around here anymore. Perseverence and patience are the key words to winning the battle.
Good Luck;
Hanover Bill.
2009 & 10 - 0
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
2011 & 12 - Visitors
2013 - 2 pr. fledged 9
2014 - 3 pr. fledged 13
2015 - 7 pr. fledged 27
2016 - 15 pr. fledged 72
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
Hi Barb.. congrats on getting some martins in your gourds.. as to your question..if you block off the gourd, the HOSPS are using, they will just go in another one. HOSPS are dangerous to purple martins and will hole peck the eggs or kill Martin babies. The best way is to shoot or trap them. There are different methods of trapping.. there are many posts on here about trapping HOSPS, if you do a search..They are sneaky and very good at avoiding you…
Good
Good
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
Thanks for the suggestions. I put out a sparrow trap and have gotten 11. But the gourd with the sparrows and the tunnel trap, not so much. For 3 days now. They seem pretty smart. About 30 minutes ago I finally got the male sparrow. Do I try to catch the female or should I remove the trap and the nest as I have a purple martin thinking about going inside. Any more suggestions? Barb
Thats great news! Looks like you caught the worst of the two, but I would reset it and catch the female. I found that when I would shoot or catch one, the mate comes back looking around and is easier to catch. Good luck!
2019- 6 Pair, 30 Fledged
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
2020- 8 Pair, 32 Fledged
2021- 10 Pair, 39 Fledged
HOSP count 130, Starlings 2
2022- 31 Pair, 146 Fledged
HOSP count to date 17, Starlings 1
2023- 28 Pair, 124 Fledged
HOSP count 47, Starlings 1
2024- 40 Pair, 192 Fledged
HOSP count 37
2025-42 Pair, 202 Fledged
HOSP count 46
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Barb,
Good catch...second tomabear, try to catch that female. One person here called their HOSP female the black window due to the amount of males she attracted and they dispatched. You got the main culprit.
Good catch...second tomabear, try to catch that female. One person here called their HOSP female the black window due to the amount of males she attracted and they dispatched. You got the main culprit.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
Barb, I'm gonna bet the female will disappear now that you've got the male. I've had good luck w/ the tunnel trap but w/ PM's in the mix you will have to be very attentive in case you accidentally catch one . I've found that when using the tunnel trap, hanging some of the HOSP nesting material on the porch, really gets their attention and so that will investigate..."who's been messing with my nest". Good luck
Northwest PA