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Passive House Sparrow Control through the use of Monofilament LinesIn addition to Messages that have appeared in the Bluebird Mailing Lists on this topic, the following are on the Audubon Society of Omaha website:
Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 00:00:30 -0500 Hi Jackie Good to here that there is some one out there from Monroe Co. Mi. I am going to ask a dum qustion. What is the monofilament lines ???? Are they hard to put up??? Please fill me in on this??? Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2001 08:15:38 -0500 Dear pjo, et al, Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 17:18:29 EST Hello, all. I'm new to the listserv, and so I hope that what I'm going to ask about hasn't already been cussed and discussed so often that you're all sick of it. I'm in charge of a 24-box trail on the campus of my workplace. The area is recently developed and there are no mature trees nearby. However, there are many many House Sparrows, and they've really taken a liking to our boxes. Since the beginning of March, we've removed nests from nearly every box, almost daily from several of them. Tree Swallows have been inspecting the boxes and I'd really like to make sure they can nest there. I'm not comfortable destroying the birds -- please don't lecture me about it because that fact is not going to change -- but I'm more than willing to prevent their residence to begin with. I've read online about the monofilament line method. Have any of you used it, and if so, was it successful? Also, what is the best way to attach the line to the box? Why is the horizontal line anchored below the hole rather than parallel to it? And finally, how do you string the horizontal line so that it doesn't prevent opening the side of the box to check it? Thanks a lot, Lynn Taylor
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 13:13:21 -0400 I just got on the BLUEBIRD-L mailing list thanks to Barry Whitney and I wanted to get the word out about a new monofilament technique on Bluebird nestboxes that I have been using and it seems to be working. I wanted to share it with everyone I could so the monofilament experimentation can continue and that maybe there could be a successful way to finally deter HOSP. I revised the original drawing by adding some measurements and some details that I left out. If anyone has any comments or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me. The areas that I placed the mono on the box is all experimental at this point. I originally tried the mono technique at http://www.zbzoom.net/~mripple/mdrive/bluebird/bb_hosp.html This technique only worked temporarily and the HOSP eventually figured out how to get in. I added mono to the roof of the box, but again they hesitated for a while and then got in. After being discouraged, I read more info on the mono technique and read of some people using taut and loose mono on purple martin houses. So I decided to devise a way to place the mono on the nestbox that looks very confusing and distracting. That is when I came up with the way that is shown in the attachment. In the beginning I was nervous because I wasn't sure if the Bluebirds would accept it. I was thinking that they might try and find a different location, but I was wrong. So far the Bluebirds have had no problem adapting to it. They initially were very curious to what it was. They did bump into it a few times, but once they figured out how to negotiate it, they flew right in (which took all of 10-15 minutes). In no time the Bluebirds were flying in and out like it wasn't even there. At this point, there have been no House Sparrows claiming either of the two nestboxes in my yard (knock on wood). I have seen them fly over to the box, get confused and then fly off. It almost seems that they can't figure out how to get in or they get confused. The real test will be at the height of the breeding season. I hope this method continues to work. Last year I caught 13 HOSP, 9 males and 4 females in "Huber Traps." Before I put the mono on the nestboxes this year, I caught 1 male and 1 female. Since the placement of this new loose and taut mono, I have had no problems with HOSP. I guess the only true test will be time itself. NOTE: The measurements on the drawing are just what I decided to start out at. There may be other ways to adjust the mono to deter the HOSP. Again, if anyone has any suggestions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you have problems with the attachment, it is posted on the web at http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirdslarry.htm Send this web or my email address to anyone you think may be interested in trying this new technique. Thanks, Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 10:50:56 EDT Hi. My BB's have stuck around for several days now, & I think they may nest. I looked out the window this morning & there was a M & F HOSP checking out the box. I need a temporary solution to keep the rats away from the box. Have any of you who have tried the fishing line ever put it on with BB's checking out the box? Has it ever scared the BB's away? I wanna try this, but I don't wanna scare off "my" BB's either. My MEWO's should be here today, so hopefully that will encourage them even more, but I am really worried about the HOSP's. Thanks ahead o' time!! James Y. Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 11:57:58 -0400 ---------- Original Message ---------------------------------- Hi James and all: I have been forced to use the monofilament line on two boxes, different trails this summer where Eastern Bluebirds had already begun egg-laying. So far, the fishing line has worked! In each case, when mother bluebird ret'd. to box & saw line, she inspected it from all angles, then went inside to lay egg #4, father Bluebird later entered box w/o even checking line. The House Sparrow has lost interest and not shown his face since the line was added. A note of caution here: The are never any guarantees with wildlife, but so far, it is a great deterrent. What the House Sparrow lacks in vision skills works to our advantage! Good Luck! Betty Nichols, Middletown, Maryland Hi. My BB's have stuck around for several days now, & I
think they may nest. Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 13:12:44 EDT Thanks for the advice, everyone! Ya know, the BB's have been guarding that nestbox for several days (which is in the front yard, right beside a large Ash tree, on a light pole) even chasing off & nailing a starling!, but ya know, I happened to look out back, & saw the female with a mouth full of pine needles. I waited & waited to see if she was gonna start building, I guess what...she has almost a complete nest built in a box in the back yard!! I never saw them paying any attention to it. It's a little bit above a row of hedges, nailed to the side of my greenhouse. All I can say is WOW! The nest materials were a bit wet from all the rain we've had, but build she does! Thanks again everyone! Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 14:08:18 -0400 James, The bluebirds (EABL) will not be scared by the mono, at least in my experience. Go to http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirdslarry.htm and check out the info. Both EABL and tree swallows (TRES) seem to take to the mono with no problems. I put the mono on my boxes AFTER the EABL claimed the box. They were nest building at the time. They will inspect it and may hesitate for a few moments, but they will go right in. Larry Zapotocky ----- Original Message ----- Hi. My BB's have stuck around for several days now, & I think they may nest. I looked out the window this morning & there was a M & F HOSP checking out the box. I need a temporary solution to keep the rats away from the box. Have any of you who have tried the fishing line ever put it on with BB's checking out the box? Has it ever scared the BB's away? I wanna try this, but I don't wanna scare off "my" BB's either. My MEWO's should be here today, so hopefully that will encourage them even more, but I am really worried about the HOSP's. Thanks ahead o' time!! James Y. Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 15:59:37 EDT Yes, we put the mono line up after the bb's checked out the box, then the HOSPS took over. Once the line was up, the HOSPS left the box alone and the bb's returned and are now raising 3 little ones. The HOSPS have occasionally gone towards the box but the mono seems to frighten them off. We are keeping our fingers crossed but so far so good. We used Larry's plan with the mono line. We took the box down and put it on it and replaced the box at the original site. Good Luck. Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 19:10:07 -0500 Dear Dave and Paul, We all don't like House Sparrows, and we all have effective ways of dealing with them. All of that fish line on the back of the birdhouse made no sense in Larry's diagram. I just strung the fishline along in the front. It took two seconds to complete. I have no House Sparrows now. Have you ever TRIED the fishline approach? If so, and it didn't work, then I'd consider your route. I'm glad the House Sparrow population has declined for both of you. If I ever run into any snags with my fishline, then your approach may be considered. (yes, the pun is intended). Take care. Paul Resnick Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 08:55:44 -0400 Paul, Sorry the fishing line on the back of the house is confusing. I am currently working on updating the site. The reason I put the fishing line on the back of the roof was because that is the direction the HOSP would travel to get to the nestbox. They would land on the back and perch there. By putting the mono there, it discouraged them from perching on the back of the house. Then they would then hop to the front of the box and see the taut and loose mono and get confused. With no where to comfortably perch on the back and unable to figure out the mono, the HOSP left. Anyway, thanks for the input on the drawing. Hopefully when the website is revised, it will be a little easier to understand some things. I'm glad to hear that the mono is working. Larry Zapotocky Dear Dave and Paul, Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 08:58:44 -0500 Hi Larry, First of all, let me say that your design has been GREAT to my birding experience. I just didn't follow all of your directions because I didn't see the need for one part you described. I want to say a huge THANK-YOU for designing this fishline plan. You do not know how much joy my birding experience has been because of your design. Thanks again. Paul Resnick Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 21:04:06 EDT I am also new to this list this spring. We have our first pair of EABL's ever and are we enjoying them and watching their partnership in feeding their 3 young ones in the box. When the EABL's first began building the nest, the HOSPS started to take over. We immediatedly went to Larry's fishing line method and it has worked perfectly. From what I understand it works because the HOSPS have poorer eyesight than the EABL's and they can't figure it out. So, assuming that, it should work for the martin houses. Good Luck! A HREF="http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirdslarry.htm"Larry's arrangement for hanging monofilament line/A Judy in Western New York Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 10:51:18 EDT Hi..I used the mono fishing line on my trail at school. It has worked fine with one exception... a piece of the line got pulled into a TRES nest and tangled in some feathers. Thank goodness it wasn't a chick. I'm not sure whether the line was too long or not just at the correct spot. A parent put the lines up; and I have Peterson boxes, so the measurements may have been off. However, I am happy to say that both the TRES and the EABLs have been nesting...and the wretched HOSP has left!!!! I would like to hear from others who have used this method. Nancy Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 10:55:24 -0400 James, It will not scare the bluebirds (EABL) or tree swallows (TRES) away, at least in my experience so far. I put it on my boxes after the EABL claimed it and they took to the monofilament in no time. Both the TRES and EABL don't mind it one bit. They fly to the nestbox like its not even there. Drop me an email if you have any more suggestions. Larry Zapotocky ----- Original Message ----- ... Date: 25 Jun 2001 23:50:54 -0000 Hello EveryBIRDie! You are about to read a Post from a "doubting Thomas!" I confess that I was wondering if a monofilament line would truly be effective in discouraging HOSPs (House Sparrows) from a nestbox. Yes, I had checked out the website http://www.concentric.net/~Frnavrat/deterhs/monobrdhse.htm and also was it Fawzi's (having a senior moment, don't recall if it was Fawzi or another bluebirder) diagram of the monofilament surround his bluebird nestbox. Having a Peterson nestbox hanging from our Townhome deck (yes, optimistic, but no luck todate; perhaps in due time, a pair of bluebirds will nest here; or a pair of chickadees (and with their eating mealworms from my hand, I would not be unhappy with the black-capped chickadees nesting therein), there came a male HOSP chirping away in the area, sitting atop the box, on the deck railing, Townhome roof, nearby trees, etc. So, I strung up some 20# monofilament. And, he perched on the deck railing a few feet away. So, I put the monofilament along the deck railing. Finally, he "surrendered" and went elsewhere. Absolutely unbelievable! For the "newbies" on the List, I think the recommendation was 12#; however, I had overlooked this detail when I bought the 20# weight. But, the bottom line, it has discouraged the HOSP. Happy bluebirding/chickadeeing! Stan Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 19:40:37 EDT Hi group, I just had to write and tell you about a near disaster that has, hopefully, been averted. My husband called and told me that a HOSP was inside our EABL house that has five babies, 12 days old, in it. I remembered the talk about using monofilament (fishing line) to deter HOSP. I instructed my husband to put fishing line on the outer corners of the birdhouse. It worked! The HOSP did not come back! I also admit to bringing some mealworms home to help out the stressed out EABLs. They have been hovering around the house since the HOSP incident. The mealworms I fed them were called superworms and were awfully huge, but the EABLs loved them. I want to thank the members of this list for saving five EABLs. God bless! Val from OH
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 10:28:59 -0700 YES! They came back!!! I put monofilament line on two houses about 2 weeks ago. HOSP have been sitting all around the box looking very disgusted. They would not touch the box - just stare at it from a perch or on the ground. But I've seen no BB's till this morning. Male and female are checking things out as I write this. They are sitting all over the top of the box, and the male repeatedly is going inside and looking out. What a marvelous Sunday morning! You know, I have a Martin house that is overrun by Starling and HOSP. Never had a Martin in it. It's 2 tiered and shaped like a barn. The holes are fairly far apart. How would mono-line do on that? Would Martin's respond the same way that tree swallows do, and not be bothered by the lines? Do you think it's worth a try? The season is probably over for them, but I could probably prevent several HOSP families from having another "litter". Cinda - Shippensburg, Pa. Date: Mon, 02 Jul 2001 09:53:37 -0500 Dear EABL enthusiasts, The first of 4 EABL's hatched within the last day or two. Very exciting. I went from discarding two HOSP nests per day for two weeks, to Larry's awesome monofilament line, to EABLs building a nest, to 4 eggs, and now to a baby. My paternal instincts are to set-up the mealworm plate, but my wife and I agreed that the parents have been doing fine without us so we'll sit back and enjoy. I think I learned on this list that we can continue to monitor the nestbox for the next 12 days, but after that to stay away because we want to avoid early fledging. I've also read that the EABLs will fledge in 18-21 days. Thanks again to everyone for your excellent helpful comments. Sincerely, Paul Resnick Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 05:45:46 -0000 Hi everyone. this is my first post here, but am a somewhat
active poster on the BB-list. Just thought you all might be
interested to know that, despite my HOSP's, the mono line did
the trick as "I" now have 4 little baby BB's &
2 very busy parents. Some of you guys helped out a lot with
the mono advice, & I thank you all! But, bottom line, it
worked. Don't know if it'll work forever, but it got me through
this one (so far. Still a ways to go. Fingers crossed, just Thanks all James Y. Shameless website plug alert:::: http://www.geocities.com/rnrjunk/Home.html Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 08:54:53 -0400 Hi Theresa: I have found varied lengths of fishing line attached to the box with a washer tied in the ends to make it move to be most effective if there are already Blues in the box. It is working for me this year, will use VanErt trap when no Blues are in it. Good Luck! Betty Nichols, Middletown, MD My bluebirds are hatching! Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 10:34:46 -0500 Hi Everyone, A quick word of caution RE: the line with a washer attached and free swinging. I used this method last winter on a feeder in which a goldfinch got caught in the line and unfortunately became a causality. Has any one ever had this result on a nest box? I know that numerous birds were going in and out to the feeder at the same time and may of had something to do with this. Pat from NW IN Hi Theresa: I have found varied lengths of fishing line attached to the box with a washer tied in the ends to make it move to be most effective if there are already Blues in the box. It is working for me this year, will use VanErt trap when no Blues are in it. Good Luck! Betty Nichols, Middletown, MD Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 15:15:43 -0400 Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer my question
about HOSP and EABB wanting the same one box with two to choose
from. Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 11:45:12 -0400 Hi, everyone. I thought perhaps you might be interested in an update on the sparrow/bluebird battle. In a nutshell, WE WON! Yay! As you may remember, I had a bluebird box that a male HOSP
and his harem suddenly wanted. It was the bluebirds' second
nesting. They had already built the nest and layed one egg when
the HOSP harrassment began. I put up a second box about fifteen/twenty
feet from first box. Bluebirds moved to that one. Put up monofiliment
on both boxes. HOSP left; bluebirds stayed. Bluebirds layed
four eggs; three hatched. Everything went beautifully. Today I am so happy to see that the babies have successfully started out on their new lives. But it sure is quiet in my backyard. I will certainly miss them! I thank all of you for your help and advice. Lynette Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2001 13:08:21 -0400 Hi list, Noting Lynett's posting, I thought I would comment on my limited use of monofilament during the second nesting of one EABL pair at one box. Several HOSP were trapped during the first nesting. The EABL finally did nest and hatched 4 chicks. The last chick was late in fledging and was killed by the HOSP. The HOSP started a nest and the nest was about 1/2 done. I replaced the box with one strung with monofilament vertically on each side of the entrance hole and horizontally across the front of the roof. Mr. HOSP likes to sit on the front edge of the box and look into the entrance hole. About 5 minutes after the new box was installed, I saw Mr. HOSP on final approach to the box. He hit the monofilament and took off at a high rate of speed, never to return. The EABL returned in one day, built their nest and hatched 4 chicks. All fledged. There was no HOSP interference. So I have been putting mono. on all my boxes in HOSP infested areas. Next year should be interesting. I trapped 26 HOSP this year and had 9 EABL chicks killed by HOSP. If anyone wants a picture of the mono. rigging, please advise and I will send privately. The records for this year are 90 EABL and 96 TRES in 47 boxes at 6 different trail sites. D. H. Snook/Sondra R. Snook Date: Sun, 3 Feb 2002 08:17:05 -0800 (PST) Hello all, Just a reminder... for those of you having problems with HOSP in your nestboxes, monofilament sttached tightly on either side of the entrance hole will deter HOSP. For the past two weeks, I have 'refreshed' the monofilament on all but two of the nestboxes in my Indiana trail. 4 male and 2 female HOSP have been trapped in the nestboxes without monofilament thus far. No HOSP has been observed even landing on a nestbox with monofilament yet. The HOSP 'hovers' above the nestbox then retreats. I use 6 to 8 pound test. Keep the line clean and nearlly invisable. It must be taunt and tight. If a HOSP figures the line out, repositioning the line will sometimes begin the confusion all over again but generally I quickly trap the bird The EABL's, with their exceptional eyesight, fly into the nestbox unfazed by the monofilament line. Bob Sitarski Jackson County Indiana & Clay County Illinois Date: Sun, 03 Feb 2002 09:29:30 -0800 Linda Violett - Yorba Linda, Calif. I do not trap/kill house sparrows but would appreciate receiving
house sparrow feathers for passive control experiments. For
monitors who have access to house sparrow feathers, please contact
me. The Doctor wrote: ... From: TonyTrz"at"aol.com from Sarah in SE PA From: "Fawzi P. Emad femad <at> fpemad <dot> com Two excellent sources of information on almost everything about Bluebirds, including monofilament lines can be found on one of the two following links: 1. Our GUIDE:
http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirds/ The second site has a "search" and an extensive table of contents. Both sites are excellent and all of us go there often to find answers to many of our questions. It is best is to "Bookmark" or add these sites to your "Favorites." Fawzi Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- ... From: "Lee & Jim Johnson" mybuffy1"at"mindspring.com We have never had as big a problem with the sparrows as what we have had this year. It was getting so bad, I knew I had to do something or the bluebirds would leave. The bluebirds would sit on the arch, near the next box, and the sparrows would fly top the box, just to terrorize the pair. I think some of the problem was the fact we hadn't cut our maiden grass back yet, due to rainy weather. The sparrows would go for the top fronds loaded with seeds and eat to their hearts content. My husband cut it down yesterday, so there haven't been as many flying around. Yesterday I bought some monofilament and used thumbtacks to secure strands of it on the side and in the front of the box. Like magic, as everyone said it would, it worked. I have not seen 1 sparrow sitting on the box since. Mom and Pop have been slowly building the nest, spending more and more time in the yard during the day. Thanks again, Bluebird List! Lee in Missouri From: "Larry Zapotocky" larryz22"at"hotmail.com Scott, Monofilament (fishing line) is being experimented to ward away the House Sparrow (HOSP). I am not sure of the origins of the mono experimenting, but I believe it started on bird feeders to try to keep the HOSP from consuming all of the feed. Then some people started trying it on nestboxes. Apparently, the HOSP have a hard time seeing and manuevering around the mono and they get confused and fly away. There are some sites out there about monofilament. Just type in "monofilament" in your search engine and you will see what I mean. If you are having problems with HOSP, it is worth a try. The monofilament has been very successful for me and others. Good Luck and email with any more questions. Larry Zapotocky ----- Original Message ----- Hello ... Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 12:46:45 -0500 Here is an interesting site about the use of monofilament as a HOSP deterrent! http://www.concentric.net/~Frnavrat/ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 15:33:28 -0500 http://bluebird.htmlplanet.com/larry.htm Best regards, From: "Phil Berry" mrtony8"at"mchsi.com I have finished all my monofilament line attachments. this morning i watched while a male HOSP, with 2 females in tow, landed on "his" box. he looked at the line on the roof, flew in front of the box, hovered, and promptly left. he came back once more, fluttered in mid-air inf ront of the box, and has not been seen since. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they are all this stupid. Phil Berry Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 18:44:54 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA Year 2001 #1 However I have allowed some House Sparrows to breed in my backyard. And I have watched those House Sparrows that were not deterred by monofilament feed their young right under the monofilament stretched across my bird feeder. These young House Sparrows will probably ignore the monofilament during their lifetime. Hopefully they won't survive the winter. The moral is: Don't let House Sparrows breed in your backyard. #2 But this year (2001)! Well, every hanging PVC birdhouse with monofilament hosted House Sparrows. Of two Peterson birdhouses with monofilament, a brown painted one had House Sparrows and a white painted one stayed empty. Three Gilbertson style PVC pole mounted birdhouses with monofilament, stayed empty. So that means Gilbertson style rates 5 stars for two years in a row! (Keep in mind that the Gilbertson, without monofilament, is known to host House Sparrows). A Purple Martin SuperGourd birdhouse, draped with monofilament, also remained free of House Sparrows. The SuperGourd is now also available with an entry sized for Bluebirds. It is sold by the Purple Martin Conservation Association. (Edinboro University of Pennsylvania - Edinboro, PA 16444 USA) - (814-734-4420 phone) - ( http://www.purplemartin.org ). One big difference this year is that I opened up the entry on four NABS style birdhouses. House Sparrows really fought over them. Perhaps by providing this "very desirable" nesting place for House Sparrows, I attracted many more House Sparrows to my backyard and they in turn spilled over into "less desirable" nesting cavities. Well, it is a theory. Confused? Me too. #3 House Sparrows do nest in the birdhouses draped with monofilament. But I still think, that at a minimum, monofilament is of value in keeping House Sparrows at bay. This may keep the birdhouse available for other species. All I can really determine is when monofilament fails as a deterrent, not when it is effective as a deterrent. #4 #5 An email from Larry dated 13Nov01 states: I have a purple martin house that I tried it, on but it was unsuccessful. I believe it doesn't work on my martin house because there are too many places to perch. The HOSP lands and then is able to "survey" the mono and they eventually figure it out (and rather quickly at that). I trap them with a home-made trap in the martin house. They have no where to land on the EABL house to try and "figure" the mono out." A drawing of the technique is posted on the web at http://bluebird.htmlplanet.com/larry.htm #6 I am going to continue draping monofilament on birdhouses in my Bluebird trails. The technique works sometimes and it seems to be a step in the right direction. I will continue to use passive House Sparrow control. (Just dump any House Sparrow nest I find during my weekly monitoring). This passive control is the least time consuming and so it is the the most practical method for me. I will continue to pair birdhouses. My best trail for Bluebirds fledged, (Fresh Meadow Golf Course), is all paired birdhouses. It also had the most House Sparrow nesting attempts. But interestingly, the House Sparrows would frequently nest in one birdhouse of a pair and the Bluebird or Tree Swallow would nest in the other. My dumping of the House Sparrow nests, sometimes week after week, didn't affect successful fledging of Bluebirds or Tree Swallows in the other birdhouse of the pair. From: "Glenn Williams" glenwill"at"chilitech.net I was away this weekend, when I called home my lovely wife informed me that some small brown birds had been busy flitting in and out of our bluebird nesting box all day long! Sure enough, when I arrived home, late Sunday afternoon I was NOT surprised to see a pair of HOSP busy building!!! While I was watching the HOSP I was STUNNED & THRILLED by a female BB that flew up to the entrance of the box and hovered for 2 seconds before the HOSP landed on the box roof, the female BB flew 60ft to a nearby tree line and perched, watching the nest box! Within seconds of this first thrill, a male BB landed in a nearby shrub!!!! I ran and got my monofilament and immediately installed it on the nest box as I have seen it on pages linked to from this mailing list. It sure does appear to confuse the HOSP when they fly into it. I have seen them try to approach the box unsuccessfully many times during a 45 minute watch (24 hours after mono installation) of our box. Unfortunately I have not seen the BBs since my 1st and only sighting on late Sun. afternoon. :( What do you all think? From your collective expriences, will the BBs return??? Best regards, Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 10:40:18 -0700 (PDT) Though not always 100%, I think monofilament is about 98%
effective. Hi Stan & all, My Observation: I put up several boxes with monofilament line and had almost decided that it did not work for me BUT none of the boxes that have monofilament have House Sparrow (HOSP) nests in them SO FAR. I did have 2 boxes with monofilament that a male HOSP sit on
top and tried to attract a mate, there was also poop inside
the box after the line was added. I have to add that the boxes had been up prior to adding the Monofilament line and I took them down in mid March added the line then put them back up. My Question: I also have a nest of Eastern Bluebird (EABL) that built in
one of the boxes with the monofilament line. I let the line
dangle around the box also and there have been times when a
piece of the line is pulled into the nest through the hole and
mixed in with the nest. THIS MAKES ME NERVOUS does it happen
to anyone else?? What if the babies or parent gets tangled in
the line?? HOSP Update: I wanted to give everyone a quick up date on getting rid of the HOSP that had laid the eggs in a nest box between the two EABL nests w/eggs. I went back a few days later to trap the pair and found that the nest was empty and the eggs had been tossed out on the ground so I removed the nest. I guess the female abandoned the nest w/eggs and the male tossed them, I'm not really sure, however that was about a week ago and yesterday I saw a EABL checking out the box. Kerry in NE corner of Okla. From: EHDerry"at"aol.com Last year we put up a bluebird box (Wal-Mart) and two days later we had bluebirds in it and eggs about 3 weeks later. This year, our EABLs stayed around all winter, were fed frequently, and into spring they have been given mealworms. They have had a completed nest in the Wal-Mart box for 3 weeks now and still no eggs. They check the box frequently and still seem very interested in it, although today I noticed they were investigating a neighbor's box and chased TRES away from that box. Two days ago we checked our trail of 4 boxes at the Town Nature
Park. One box in the set of two had 2 EABL eggs in it! Today
when we went to check the box expecting to see 4 eggs, we found
two eggs pierced and on the ground in front of the box. No additions
of plant material have been added to the There is one interesting thing about all of this. The Wal-Mart
box which initially attracted the EABL last year was then taken
by HOSP but then we put the monofilament on it in Larry Zapotocky's
design. The HOSP left and the EABL returned and successfully
nested. We have put this same design of mono Larry: Any suggestions for a different design of mono for the
top? Bob (Doctor): I sure don't know how you keep from getting
discouraged on your Illinois trail with the HOSP damage you
have suffered. I sure am bummed out from just seeing 2 eggs
pierced and thrown out of the nest. Does anyone have any thoughts
as to why we have had a completed nest for 3 weeks and no eggs?
We thought at first it might be the cold weather but it has
warmed up the last week. The pair display courtship behavior
- wing-waving, male feeding female, etc. Judy From: "Karen Smith" ksmith"at"brandywine.net I have a BB box that the BB have begun to make a nest in after 2yrs. (it was abandoned after a HOSP attack). I have just bought monofiliment. Does anyone know if the BB will continue to make nest if I place the string on the box now? Before the HOSP attack, I had BB every year, with 3-4 broods each season. I would love to try to protect them so that I don't have a repeat attack. I have another BB box, but the HOSP have nested in it since it was put up. Karen Smith From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber) Hi Karen, You can try the monofiliment line any time, preferably before a HOSP enters box. i feel you are gambling with the BB,s life using this method. Since HOSP have already caused disaster at one of your boxes it is very likely they will do it again. Since there are no HOSP at the present time harassing the other bird nests you may get lucky. The closer to success before disaster the worse it hurts. In your case I would suggest an extra box be set up to use for trapping any HOSP that do show up. Joe Huber, Venice, Fl. Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe Huber hubertrap"at"webtv.net http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds From: "Karen Smith" ksmith"at"brandywine.net ... From: "Doug Rohde" d.rohde"at"attbi.com Karen, With respect to the monofilament, we haven't seen that the EABL's even notice. Although I'm far from convinced that it has a significant impact on HOSP predation, my experience would say that you also don't have to worry about it bothering your bluebirds. Doug ... From: "Cameron" cscott5"at"charter.net my blue bird chick swallowed some of my loose mono that blew in to the nest hes active and moving so i just cut the mono off but its stuck in his throat From: "Cameron" cscott5"at"charter.net i have mono tied on and mono that is loose. Some mono that was loose must have blew in the box or mom blue brought it in. The chick thinking it was food ate it when i opened the box the chick flew out of the hole with mono in its mouth i pulled on it lightly and it still didnt come out so i just cut it off as close to his mouth as possible an hour or two later he must have digested it but hes still active and everything think he'll just digust it and be ok or what From: "Stan Sadler" sadlerrealestate"at"insightbb.com Just wanted to share some info on the importance of monitoring your boxes when using monofilament string as hosp deterrents. This am, i noticed the outside dangling string on the side of one of my boxes was pulled inside the entry hole. I pulled the string and it seemed secured and would not come out. I opened the front of the box and found it was lodged in the throat of one of the new nestlings.Apparently it mistook it for food and had swallowed about 3 inches. I don't believe any damage was done. These little chicks will eat most anything. I wouldn't advise using this deterrent unless you can monitor your boxes daily! Stan Sadler From: "Lawrence Herbert" lherbert"at"4state.com On the Baxter Springs, Cherokee County, KS. bluebird trail at box # 7 yesterday, July 6, 2002, I was surprised to see two nestlings that still hadn't fledged. They were at about day 21 according to my records. The problem was that each had a foot tied together with fishing line that a parent had no doubt brought for nesting material. They were unable to fledge normally since one had the other dragging behind. I untied them and, since the parents were present, fledged them in the direction of a tree and some bushes. (Permit # 21117). Good birding, Larry H., Joplin MO. Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 13:59:05 -0700 (PDT) Hi all, I have been seeing several posts about fledglings eating or getting tangled in monofilament. I use monofilament line to direct HOSP to nestboxes that I can easily monitor to trap and eliminate the non-native bird. I don't know how this 'loose line application' came about, but I put two lines on a nestbox which are taut and clean. Six pound test seems best. MONOFILAMENT IS JUST A DETERRENT TO HOSP so.... why put the nestlings in danger?.There is no way that the taut line that I use on my nestboxes could be of danger to the nestlings. IF THE DEMAND FOR NESTBOXES IS GREATER THAN THE SUPPLY, the
HOSP will not be deterred for long by anything. I have seen
HOSP pull duct tape off a nestbox entrance hole to gain access.
If you think that monofilament line is a HOSP cure all/fix all
then you are mistaken. There is much info about monofilament
line and it's long term effectiveness or ineffectiveness so
make sure that you have done a complete investigation before
proceeding and possibly putting nestlings in danger. Have a good day Bob Sitarski a.k.a The Doctor Jackson County Indiana ( 38.5244N 08.6023W ) & Clay County Illinois ( 38.4008N 08.82908W ) From: DottyRogers"at"netscape.net Hi gang; We had a box with mono lines running vertically from roof to bottom on a HOSP-threatened box containing bluebird youngsters. (This is the box spiked with brightly-colored pushpins: roof.) I drove to this site last evening to pull those two lines for fledge the next day, but was too late. One little female was bouncing around the entry hole, and as I settled down to watch, out she buzzed. She jumped slightly right and hit the leading edge of her right wing on the mono! Fortunately she was able to regain her composure/speed after this bonk and just made it to the tree. I've been wondering about this all summer. The 2 lines are about 6" apart on our boxes -- and my fear was well-founded; the birds can hit them upon departure! Could make a big difference in where the fledglings end up landing. From now on, we'll be pulling these two front lines a few days
before [Had been guarding a fledging EABL box last month and the instant the last little male buzzed away, a female HOSP flew to entry hole, then dove in. (I'd been firing rocks at her 10 sparrow flockmates until that very instant!) WHEW!] Dot; eastern MAss From: "Lawrence Herbert" lherbert"at"4state.com Some bluebirders on our line mentioned having good luck with monofilament line in front of the bluebird box entrance. I want to try that with a few boxes next year. Irregardless of what you may have heard there are dumb questions in this world and here are two of them: Is monofilament line the same as fishing line? If I replace the flat roof with one that extends five inches or so in front of the entrance and then secure the line from the top of the box to the bottom will that be good enough to serve the purpose of discouraging house sparrows nesting? Good birding, Larry H. Joplin MO. 9-17-02. From: MSBOC"at"aol.com I've used the mono line successfully too. BUT... careful monitoring is required. And I would love to know if anyone has played with the design to prevent the birds from bringing the line into the house where it can easily get tangled in the nest or even worse in with the nestlings. Nancy From: DottyRogers"at"netscape.net Hi all: We have never used loose strands of monofilament line around a box. Horrifying thought; young birds getting tangled in it! Our lines are always attached to pieces of custom-fitted pieces of braising rod that have a small eye bent at one end (Vice-Grips). The other end is inserted into a tiny drilled hole for installation. When it's near fledge time, we now drill new holes on the roof, further apart than the original position & reposition strands so that fledglings don't slam their wings into the lines upon leaving. (I saw this happen earlier this season; bad moment; youngster almost didn't make it to the tree.) Each box gets strands that best protect its configuration, as some of our older boxes have small roofs, newer ones have bigger ones. Also the number and aggression of the little brown jobs gets factored in. It really works. Unlike Phil, we mono a box only when it's needed, rather than do it before the season starts. We don't want HOSPs getting acclimated to this magic. The blues, female especially, always returns to the box within 2 minutes of mono-addition. Amazing birds! Good luck, Dot, eastern MAss Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 11:04:37 -0700 (PDT) Loose lines can entangle around birds/nestlings and I have read on this list where nestlings actually try to ingest the line. The actual effectiveness of monofilament is open to debate. On my Indiana trail I use monofilament line to 'direct' HOSP to traps (traps that I can monitor constantly). If I had mono on all my Indiana nestboxes, I have seen the HOSP 'deterred' for about 3 days. On my Illinois trail, where I have a big city population of both HOSP and EUST, monofilament line (as well as PVC boxes) are TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE. I have had best success with 6-8 pound test mono strung TAUTLY (?) on either side of the entrance hole. I keep the lines clean so they are almost invisable to the HOSP until it flies into it or gets extremely close to it. The confusion or fear that the HOSP feels with the line was overcome with time 100% of the time. Again, I use mono on nestboxes that I can not easily monitor. The DETERRED HOSP will look for another option alot of the time. That other option is a nestbox that I can easily monitor and therefor eliminate the HOSP. Have a good day The Doctor -------Original Message------- ... From: MSBOC"at"aol.com I've used Larry Zelany's A HREF" http://bluebird.htmlplanet.com/larry.htm
"Larry's arrangement for hanging monofilament line/A Could
one of you forward to me the design for stringing the lines
that you've used successfully. Thanks. From: "D. H. Snook" dhsnook"at"sssnet.com I will share with you some interesting observations made beginning in late March, 2002. I live in an older (22 year) city allotment with overgrown trees and shrubs. House Sparrows (HOSP) and House Wrens (HOWR) are numerous. For the past 7 years, I have had 2 boxes (modified NABS) without monofilament for the purpose of trapping HOSP to use in repeater traps on my trail(s) of 60 boxes. Never did I think that an Eastern Bluebird pair would nest. This year I experimented with clear # 8 monofilament. Two strands were stretched vertically on each side of the box, 2 inches from the entrance hole. A strand was stretched at the bottom of the box. Two strands were stretched diagonally from the upper left to lower right and from the upper right to lower left. The diagonal strands intersected 1 inch below the entrance hole. On the roof, one strand was stretched at the end of the roof, nearest to the entrance hole. All strands were 2 1/2 inches from the box and roof. In March an EABL pair appeared in the yard. They checked out each box, about 50 feet apart. They decided on the one located 20 feet from my screened-in porch. The female (F) worked in the box, while the M pushed grass in. The nest was done in 3 days. They left for a week and returned to lay one egg per day for a total of 5. One egg disappeared. Two chicks hatched and fledged. Prior to fledging, the adults chased all squirrels out of the yard. A Tufted Titmouse (TUTI) pair nested in the other box. She laid 6 eggs, but only one hatched. They nested once. Since we had a very hot and dry summer, we fed the EABL boiled, chopped raisins and mealworms. They got fed at 5:00 PM. If I was late with the food, they would sit on a branch within 4 feet of the porch and look in the porch. My wife and I watched the parents take food to the fledglings in a tree about 100 feet away, 40 feet up in the tree. After 10 days, the pair returned and made a second nest. The 2 fledglings were around to eat. For 2 weeks the M and F would feed the young on the bird house where I put the food. The F began laying eggs. All four eggs hatched. We were able to watch 2 of the 4 chicks fledge at 18 days old, same as the first brood. The 2 young we saw fledge perched on the front of the entrance hole and flapped their wings. They flew like little bullets to a tree and landed on the bark. They worked their way up to a branch. We watched them from 8 feet away. The parents fed them. The next day we saw the parents take food to a different tree. The EABL parents returned to nest for a third time. Since the 2 juveniles returned with the 4 fledglings from the second nesting, I believe this confirms a third nesting, my first. The 2 juv. and 4 fledglings played in the bird bath while the parents completed the third nest. The parents would not feed the juv. after the 4 youngest returned. She laid 4 eggs, 3 hatched and fledged. When the last 3 fledged, they did not come back, even to eat. Observations: Neither adult would ever go in the bird house without the other standing guard. When the F was incubating, the M was always near, within 20 feet. They know that the HOSP is an enemy. Both adults would chase any HOSP out of the yard. However they allowed a family or Tree Sparrows to pick up seeds directly under their box. They were not aggressive toward any other species, except a crow. A Robin did get into a spat with the M EABL early in the season, but not later. The Robin probably had never seen an EABL before. Both EABL adults chased a Crow out of the yard who was about to eat their raisins and mealworms. Although numerous house cats were prowling around the yard, the EABL had no reaction. They let my bander band the 4 chicks from the second nesting without problem. I looked in the house dozens of times without problem. The M would always warn the F when I was coming. She flew out immediately. Both sat in trees 10-15 feet from the box. When I took the food out at 5:00 PM, the birds were close, eating within 5 or 6 feet of me, but watching me. The TUTI chick was very late in fledging, 24 days. The M EABL would go in the box with the TUTI chick and stay for up to 15 minutes. I observed this at least 4 times. I did not see the EABL take in food. After he left, I checked the TUTI chick who was fine. WHAT was the EABL doing?? I did not see the young from the first or second nesting feed the chicks from the third nesting. Anyway, what a year! We fledged 110 EABL, 65 TRES and 1 TUTI. I don't know if my backyard birds were due to the monofilament or due to trapping over the years. I don't know if the third nesting was due to a constant food supply. Doug Snook From: KCBSP"at"aol.com Kathy Clark, New Cumberland, PA I have a picture of a TRES caught in a mono line. I also have the drawing of how it was put on. Is there any way to change this so this doesn't happen. Why did it happen is my question. If you could take a look and have some experience with this please email me off list and I'll send what I have to you. Thanks ! Kathy Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 10:55:16 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA -------------------------------------------- The online Bluebird Reference Guide:
http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirds/ ---------- ... From: KCBSP"at"aol.com Hayela, I don't know the answer to what works better. I trap. I am concerned though about whether it was done incorrectly or if there is a problem with the technique the monitor had tried. I would really like to know if it can be determined why it happened so if this can be avoided that it will be pointed out and corrected. Of course we can't send attachments and these are not pretty :( , but I would be glad to see the replies on the list to my question if others can learn from it. Too often the replies are unseen and one wonders what the answer is. If anyone looks at this and thinks the list can learn please post it to the list. I don't know if this is a unfortunate common occurrence. Is
it? Kathy Haleya Priest Amherst MA ... Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 11:34:59 -0400 I have seen the pictures and I think the lines were mounted too close to the entrance hole. If you are interested in seeing how I mount mine, go to a temporary page on my website, it shows a safe and easy way to do it. After a short time, the monofilament should be removed since the HOSP will adjust to it and will eventually enter the box: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/femad/temp.htm Fawzi Emad in Laytonsville, Maryland ----- Original Message ----- ... Date: Wed, 21 May 2003 12:05:48 -0400 Haleya Priest Amherst MA The online Bluebird Reference Guide:
http://birds.cornell.edu/bluebirds/ From: klubea"at"comcast.net Came home from shopping and got my binoculars to see how the
EABL was doing. I saw a almost fledging Baby looked like he
was clinging to the outside. I ran out and went closer to the
box and to my horror there was fishing line wrapped around his
foot and he was dangling upside down most likely less than an
hour. The line was embedded in the nest which one could not
see when checking him. There was only one EABL (laid only one
egg??? is that unusual?) I grabbed the bird and with my teeth
cut the line from the hole and unattached it from his body and
had to pull some of the nest out with the line. I put the EABL
back in the box. His wing was slightly bloodied from i guess
rubbing against the box. His parents have come and fed him.
The rehabber said it would be better to leave him there and
keep an eye on him. My question is if the bloodied wing is just
from rubbing will he still be okay and will From: "Zimmerman, Bet" I've been experimenting a bit with the Magic Halo (developed by the U of Nebraska, photos at www.elizaduck.com/halo.htm ). Supposedly it deters ~84% of HOSP from feeders without hanging monofilament, 99% with it.) It's basically a large wire circle (wire about the weight of coat hanger) with lightweight fishing line suspended from four v-shaped dents (held straight by a lead fishing weight), hanging down past the bottom of the feeder. My first goal was to keep HOSP out of my bird feeders. (I don't feed millet or cracked corn, but they will apparently eat anything.) So I put the original halo ($22) up on my tube feeder. Lo and behold, NOT A SINGLE HOSP has landed there since. It does deter some grackles (not all). Does not deter doves, cardinals, chipping sparrows, titmice, purple/house/gold finches, which are my most common bird feeder birds. (I also use a seed tray to prevent spillage to ground). Then I decided to try it on my mealyworm feeder since a male HOSP has learned to eat the worms. (I refuse to pay $10/week to feed HOSP.) It worked! Took my pair of bluebirds about an hour to get used to it and they were merrily chowing away. Next I tried a variation on my purple martin house (not wanting it to turn into a HOSP ghetto--we've had no success with starting a p.martin colony) using four small dowels with fishing line suspended (lead weights on the end). No more HOSP. (No other birds either :-{ Now I'm working on something to prevent the HOSP from eating the duck chow. Unfortunately the halo also prevents the ducks from eating the duck chow. I also need something to keep them out of the goat chow. (The halo gets stuck on the goats head so that hasn't worked.) My questions: Has anybody tried anything like this? I was also wondering if it would work on a nest box. I was thinking of a set up like the purple martin house with dowels. Also, the dowels would hold the line away from the box to reduce odds of monofilament getting dragged into the box. I've tried fishing line (also Zapotcky etc.) and in the first year it worked great, in the second year the HOSPs seem to have adapted and are infesting some houses (I'm trapping them though). ... Bet from Connecticut. From: BluebirdNut.com [mailto:bluebirdnut"at"a-znet.com] Sent: Friday, April 16, 2004 12:06 PM Subject: Monofilament I discovered this morning that a tenacious HOSP is harassing the life out of a pair of TRES who have claimed one of my nestboxes. I've been unsuccessful so far this year with trapping - both the ground trap and the in-box trap have gone begging for weeks. I just went out and strung some monofilament line in two vertical lines about 1/2" away from either side of the entrance hole. I just looked out the window and watched a HOSP fly right up to the box, and up to the hole. (funny thing, though -- neither the TRES nor the HOSP are going IN the box, just perching on the entrance hole -- odd? -- anyway ..... ) A local bird store proprietress told me she strings her vertical lines almost even with the edges of the entrance hole, whereas the diagram I've seen for "Larry's" arrangement shows them being much farther apart. Can I put the lines closer together? Does it really make a difference how long the screws are? I just used thumb tacks, but some reference has been made the the length of the screws being part of the "scare" tactics. I thought I might try the "dangling" pieces with metal nuts attached, and the horizontal piece below the bottom of the hole, as well, but I'd really like to know about the distance and screws before I undertake that project. My box opens from the side, thank goodness, so I can do this without trapping the door shut! Cher
From: Fawzi P. Emad [mailto:femad"at"comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 7:18 PM Subject: Re: Fawzi ...You can look at my website for the monofilament: http://home.comcast.net/~femad/pages/monofilament.htm ... Fawzi. |
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