How I became an Ambassador for the Bluebirds
House Sparrows are the most common problem blue-birder’s have. This invasive species introduce in the 1800’s has become the most abundant song bird in North America. Do to the fact it bonds with the nest box and will defend it aggressively, we must find a way to deal with it. The house sparrow is not a protected bird, so you may dispose of it. The male house sparrow during the breeding season has only one thing on his mind: Procreation. Continuously destroying his nest, he becomes increasingly “frustrated”, aggressive, frequent house sparrow nest removal, without permanent removal of the house sparrows, is NOT a viable house sparrow control method. Little did I know I was creating a “vindictive” house sparrow? I will never forget that day when I opened up my nest box and found a male bluebird that was viciously attacked. I feel solely responsible for its death even to this day. I admit I was an inexperience monitor and learned the hard way. I now trap the house sparrows and I have found the Van-ERT Universal Sparrow trap works well for me and I highly recommend it to you. If my story can help other new blue birders and monitors to be aware of the house sparrow, then maybe my bluebird will not have died in vain. Please forgive my ignorance, my inexperience and my lack of knowledge at that time. Today; because of that experience, I have studied and educated myself concerning bluebirds and sparrows and their nesting habits. With this knowledge it has inspired me to share bluebirds with others as I can through being an Ambassador for the Bluebirds.
Harry Schmeider < Butler County PA >
