HOSP
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Whippy
- Posts: 1023
- Joined: Thu Jan 19, 2017 11:15 pm
- Location: Plano, Texas
- Martin Colony History: See Signature
You will have to get rid of them. Go for the male first either by trapping or shooting.
If you catch the male and choose not to dispatch him, cut off his tail feathers as they are used for attracting mates. He will not be an issue after that. Turn him loose in someone else's neighbor hood.
If you catch the male and choose not to dispatch him, cut off his tail feathers as they are used for attracting mates. He will not be an issue after that. Turn him loose in someone else's neighbor hood.
2016 - many visitors
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
2017 - 1 pair, 3 fledged
2018- 2 pair, 12 fledged
2019 - 4 pair, 21 fledged
2020 - 15 pair, 67 fledged
2021 - 29 pair, 117 fledged
2022 - 35 pair, 130 fledged
2023 - 43 pair, 196 fledged
Make a little box trap with a small hole, with spring loaded trap on backside of the door, I forget what size hole. Get a Blaine’s repeater trap and anyone you catch, move it into the Blaine’s trap as a bait bird. The Blaine’s will catch some on it’s on, but a bird inside the trap helps attract more. I got 62 of them last year, only four so far this year, but all males.
Holes on side are fake, I think the spring loaded piece is called a Van Ert. I now have this box mounted to the bottom of my T14, much more effective there.
If you can use a insert live trap in your house, put it inside the one they keep building the nest in. You must check it daily, better twice daily, a martin might go in is as well. I don’t suggest moving them to another neighborhood, you’ll just cause somebody else issues. If you just can’t kill them, you’ll need to move them more than five miles or they’ll just come back. Good luck!!
Holes on side are fake, I think the spring loaded piece is called a Van Ert. I now have this box mounted to the bottom of my T14, much more effective there.
If you can use a insert live trap in your house, put it inside the one they keep building the nest in. You must check it daily, better twice daily, a martin might go in is as well. I don’t suggest moving them to another neighborhood, you’ll just cause somebody else issues. If you just can’t kill them, you’ll need to move them more than five miles or they’ll just come back. Good luck!!
2021
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
T14
10 Pair
49 Fledged
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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.
Hi Lisa,
Another option would be to shoot it. I use a pellet gun. If you choose this method, be sure not to shoot if the sparrow is perched close to the martins or near their gourd or house. Many different traps to choose from depending on your martin housing. Best of hunting my friend.
Another option would be to shoot it. I use a pellet gun. If you choose this method, be sure not to shoot if the sparrow is perched close to the martins or near their gourd or house. Many different traps to choose from depending on your martin housing. Best of hunting my friend.
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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.
The size hole is 1 5/8" - that keeps bluebirds out.rrmartins wrote: ↑Sun Mar 24, 2019 1:19 pmMake a little box trap with a small hole, with spring loaded trap on backside of the door, I forget what size hole. Get a Blaine’s repeater trap and anyone you catch, move it into the Blaine’s trap as a bait bird. The Blaine’s will catch some on it’s on, but a bird inside the trap helps attract more. I got 62 of them last year, only four so far this year, but all males.
Holes on side are fake, I think the spring loaded piece is called a Van Ert. I now have this box mounted to the bottom of my T14, much more effective there.
If you can use a insert live trap in your house, put it inside the one they keep building the nest in. You must check it daily, better twice daily, a martin might go in is as well. I don’t suggest moving them to another neighborhood, you’ll just cause somebody else issues. If you just can’t kill them, you’ll need to move them more than five miles or they’ll just come back. Good luck!!
"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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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.
"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
what i do when my s&s traps dont get the sparrows
i leave them alone and let them build their nest
when the get the first eggs i put a trap in the cavity and get both the pair that day
in the mean time they dont other the martins because they are to busy having their eggs
i leave them alone and let them build their nest
when the get the first eggs i put a trap in the cavity and get both the pair that day
in the mean time they dont other the martins because they are to busy having their eggs
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
Not a reply but aQuestio. I use to post but can’t figure out how to now. This is a question for a friend who has two wracks which have been full for a couple of years. Six birds arrived so far, three that belong to each rack. There are now six. HS have been going in a out today. Does she close the second rack even though some birds will miss inhabiting their previous year’s gourd?
I now have 8-10 PMs ! I should receive the new Van Ert trap any day. I cannot wait to trap those HOSP suckers!
There are two (male & female) that have been a thorn! The cage trap never got a single sparrow.
Stay tuned! I love my PMs!
Lisa
There are two (male & female) that have been a thorn! The cage trap never got a single sparrow.
Stay tuned! I love my PMs!
Lisa
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KaraInTexas
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:29 am
- Location: North Texas
- Martin Colony History: 2020 - 10 nest sites.
2019 - 8 nest sites and 28 fledged.
2018 - Three mating pair. 12 babies, all fledged. Found one adult female dead in house. Cause of death - unable to ascertain. Very sad day.
2017 - First mating pair in Heath house. May 3-5: 5 eggs laid. June 1-3: all hatched. July 3: all 5 fledged.
Approximately 20 adult martins here for the fledge party.
July 1: Installed 4 gourds as well as the 3 houses. The Martins love them!
2016 - Many martins, no nests or eggs. Too many HOSP.
I have a 12 compartment Heath house I converted to a 4 compartment house to allow the Martins more room and hopefully evade owls. I have put in a second house, the S&K 12 compartment one which I converted to 6 compartments. My neighbor also has the same S&K house I converted to a 6 compartment house.
I have eight or more Martins that visit daily.
Lisa - I am in N. TX too! I feel for you with regard to the HOSP problem. I have tried the in the house trap and the Blaine's repeating trap. Neither worked for me. I got a small hand held bb gun at target for $29. Have killed 2 aggressive males in the past 2 weeks.HOSP are very smart. You will have one maybe two tries before they realize what you are doing and they will immediately fly away when they see you coming. Only to return when you are not there and harass the martins.
I lost an adult female martin last year. Found her body in the house. I know in my heart it was an HOSP that got her. I hate them all. They are mean and they will kill martins. You must be lethal.
How friendly are you with your neighbors? I let mine know when I am shooting. They might even help you in this quest. Perhaps you could take a late lunch and go when neighbors are far less likely to be there. ??? I don't want anyone to get hurt, but i have found shooting to be the most effective and instantaneous form of eradication.
We should start a north Texas group and meet once a month to discuss strategy and what has worked for us. I have about 10 adult martins flying around my houses right now! Last year I had 12 babies fledge successfully. It is so rewarding!
Best of luck to you. I know it is difficult.
I lost an adult female martin last year. Found her body in the house. I know in my heart it was an HOSP that got her. I hate them all. They are mean and they will kill martins. You must be lethal.
How friendly are you with your neighbors? I let mine know when I am shooting. They might even help you in this quest. Perhaps you could take a late lunch and go when neighbors are far less likely to be there. ??? I don't want anyone to get hurt, but i have found shooting to be the most effective and instantaneous form of eradication.
We should start a north Texas group and meet once a month to discuss strategy and what has worked for us. I have about 10 adult martins flying around my houses right now! Last year I had 12 babies fledge successfully. It is so rewarding!
Best of luck to you. I know it is difficult.
May the Martins be with you. 
I may get a bb or pellet gun yo shoot them. Being a Texas girl, i am goid with any gun. Grew up hunting quail and I was very good.
I hate these HOSPs! If u ever saw they had killed one of my PMs or a baby, i would lose it. I think if I can time it when most are at work, i can do this.
I am afraid modt who are not educated in PMs would look at me as nuts if i alerted them i would be shooting HOSPs. I can't blame them! It does sound kind of crazy....unless you are one of "us"!
I would love to be in a TEXAS group too, to share ideas and such. I live in Prosper.
-Lisa
I hate these HOSPs! If u ever saw they had killed one of my PMs or a baby, i would lose it. I think if I can time it when most are at work, i can do this.
I am afraid modt who are not educated in PMs would look at me as nuts if i alerted them i would be shooting HOSPs. I can't blame them! It does sound kind of crazy....unless you are one of "us"!
I would love to be in a TEXAS group too, to share ideas and such. I live in Prosper.
-Lisa
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Rodger Drye
- Posts: 671
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:07 am
- Location: NC/Mt. Pleasant
- Martin Colony History: Have been hosting and providing a sanactuary for Purple Martins for 30 years.
Lisa,
Get some kind of feed to bait your Uncle Blain’s trap with. I use white millet, and the sparrows can’t seem to resist it. Place it in small amounts on different areas of your trap to entice the birds to enter. Once caught then pinch or pull their heads off. I have a bucket of water I use to drown them now. Not as bloody, works fine.
I’ve heard that cat food can also be a draw as sparrows like that too.!
Good Luck.!
Rodger
Get some kind of feed to bait your Uncle Blain’s trap with. I use white millet, and the sparrows can’t seem to resist it. Place it in small amounts on different areas of your trap to entice the birds to enter. Once caught then pinch or pull their heads off. I have a bucket of water I use to drown them now. Not as bloody, works fine.
I’ve heard that cat food can also be a draw as sparrows like that too.!
Good Luck.!
Rodger
PMCA Member
Have been Hosting and Protecting Martin's for 30 years.
Have been Hosting and Protecting Martin's for 30 years.
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KaraInTexas
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Tue Jun 14, 2016 7:29 am
- Location: North Texas
- Martin Colony History: 2020 - 10 nest sites.
2019 - 8 nest sites and 28 fledged.
2018 - Three mating pair. 12 babies, all fledged. Found one adult female dead in house. Cause of death - unable to ascertain. Very sad day.
2017 - First mating pair in Heath house. May 3-5: 5 eggs laid. June 1-3: all hatched. July 3: all 5 fledged.
Approximately 20 adult martins here for the fledge party.
July 1: Installed 4 gourds as well as the 3 houses. The Martins love them!
2016 - Many martins, no nests or eggs. Too many HOSP.
I have a 12 compartment Heath house I converted to a 4 compartment house to allow the Martins more room and hopefully evade owls. I have put in a second house, the S&K 12 compartment one which I converted to 6 compartments. My neighbor also has the same S&K house I converted to a 6 compartment house.
I have eight or more Martins that visit daily.
LisaJ wrote: ↑Sat Apr 06, 2019 3:03 pmI may get a bb or pellet gun yo shoot them. Being a Texas girl, i am goid with any gun. Grew up hunting quail and I was very good.
I hate these HOSPs! If u ever saw they had killed one of my PMs or a baby, i would lose it. I think if I can time it when most are at work, i can do this.
I am afraid modt who are not educated in PMs would look at me as nuts if i alerted them i would be shooting HOSPs. I can't blame them! It does sound kind of crazy....unless you are one of "us"!
I would love to be in a TEXAS group too, to share ideas and such. I live in Prosper.
-Lisa
HAHA! You are right! I am the "crazy bird lady" but my neighbors are sweet and they know I am a lil crazy about my Martins.
We should meet at a restaurant and start our group! Prosper is about 30 minutes from me. I am studying for a test for my career right now, but hope to have that accomplished in about 2 weeks. Perhaps we could find a time in May?
I will tell you about my sparrow killing from my bathroom window at least 50-60 feet away and I hit it with a bb gun! SNiper!
And yes, I cried when I found the adult female.
You got this! CAn't wait to meet you!
Best,
Kara
May the Martins be with you.
Rodger,
Well, guess what! I looked out at my trap and there was a red headed sparrow in my trap! Now, these little guys never pise a threat to mu pms, so i let him out. At least i now know it is pissible to get a sparrow in there. I will try your suggestions for baiting.
Kara,
Yep, I am that crazy bird lady too! But even if i am hidden from sight, the sound of a pellet gun may cause problems for me. In my residential neighborhood, I think trapping is my only real option.
I would love to get together in May! Let's keep in touch!
Once i set up my new trap, i will let everyone know how it is working!
Lisa
Well, guess what! I looked out at my trap and there was a red headed sparrow in my trap! Now, these little guys never pise a threat to mu pms, so i let him out. At least i now know it is pissible to get a sparrow in there. I will try your suggestions for baiting.
Kara,
Yep, I am that crazy bird lady too! But even if i am hidden from sight, the sound of a pellet gun may cause problems for me. In my residential neighborhood, I think trapping is my only real option.
I would love to get together in May! Let's keep in touch!
Once i set up my new trap, i will let everyone know how it is working!
Lisa
I promise, I can actually spell! I get typing so fast and don't proof before I submit, that it appears a 2 year old typed!!
I will believe you all know what i mean! These letters are too close together on my phone! I will have to slow down!
I still love my PMs!!
-Lisa
I will believe you all know what i mean! These letters are too close together on my phone! I will have to slow down!
I still love my PMs!!
-Lisa
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Rodger Drye
- Posts: 671
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:07 am
- Location: NC/Mt. Pleasant
- Martin Colony History: Have been hosting and providing a sanactuary for Purple Martins for 30 years.
Ditto that Lisa and Kara,
I Love My Purple Martin’s too.!
Rodger
I Love My Purple Martin’s too.!
Rodger
PMCA Member
Have been Hosting and Protecting Martin's for 30 years.
Have been Hosting and Protecting Martin's for 30 years.