It was a happy day when a striking pair of Eastern Bluebirds showed up in our back yard. They took an interest in the nestbox and appeared they were getting ready to get ready to build a nest and start a little Bluebird family.
LEFT-CLICK ON IMAGES BELOW TO ENLARGE
The handsome male Eastern Bluebird sitting atop the nestbox.
The female Eastern Bluebird preparing to enter the nestbox.
Unfortunately the Eastern Bluebird's debut ended abruptly when some aggressive House Sparrows in the area drove them off. House Sparrow numbers are increasing in our neighborhood while Eastern Bluebird numbers are decreasing.
What to do?
Google showcased a repeating House Sparrow Trap that did not take long to build using scrap wood. As you can see below, the HOSP lands on the left most platform of the trap once the food is placed around the trap and on both platforms. As he walks across the pivoting arm to get the food on the right-most platform, the weight of the Sparrow causes the pivot arm to drop down. The HOSP next enters the cage and the pivot arm automatically swings up into position ready for the next HOSP.
Our Miniature Schnauzers, Maddie and Mollie were intrigued with the House Sparrow inside the cage. Initially Mollie, our two year old, didn't see the House Sparrow in the trap as she was too busy eating the bread crumbs around the trap used for bait. Our old faithful girl Maddie, fourteen years old, spotted the Sparrow and went to check it out.
Hopefully the House Sparrow numbers will diminish and the Bluebirds will return to raise their little Bluebird family. :)
This You Tube Video gives you step-by-step instructions on how to build a Repeating House Sparrow Trap.
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBPqxLlCgrI&feature=channel&list=UL
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wC33W-cKaM&feature=channel&list=UL
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oFCvRwzT6I&feature=channel&list=UL
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