Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!husc6!uwvax!dogie!uwmcsd1!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!osu-cis!att!ihnp4!ihlpf!jimf From: jimf@ihlpf.ATT.COM (JF) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Nesting Bluebirds Message-ID: <4719@ihlpf.ATT.COM> Date: 11 May 88 21:01:17 GMT Organization: Big Rock Creek Lines: 19 I put up 4 bluebird boxes this Spring. One of them had a nesting pair up until a few days ago. The female had laid about 5 light blue eggs. Sparrows simply harrassed her until she abandoned the box. Two sparrows sat right by the box all day long. If the female left they wouldn't allow her back in. I interfered once and scared the sparrows off so the female bluebird could get back in the box, which she did. The male tried driving them off many times. At one time there were as many as 7 sparrows attacking him. The sparrows harrassed them constantly. I have seen no sign of bluebirds now for several days. I looked in the box. There was absolutely no sign of eggs, not even the tiniest piece of shell. The sparrows had built right on top of the bluebird nest. I guess the sparrows broke the eggs and removed the pieces. We're contemplating buying a pellet gun or sparrow trap. Ever since we built the boxes, the sparrows and starlings have taken over the back yard. I also put up 2 wood duck boxes by the pond. After constantly ripping out starling nests, I taped the holes hoping the starlings would go away. No such luck. How tdo I get rid of the scum birds???