My friends don’t understand
I get very frustrated over the general population concerning feeding house sparrows. I know that I used to be one of them when it came to House Sparrows. I just didn’t know. I fed them all winter long on bread crumbs and cheapo Wal-Mart bird seed. Then I heard about bluebirds dying because of sparrow attacks and I thought that they were talking about blue jays. I am native of Pennsylvania and never seen a bluebird ever!!! My first book I ever read about bluebirds was the Bluebird Monitor’s Guide, talk about getting informed! Now I get very frustrated when I try to tell my friends who are just raising house sparrows and I get frustrated at myself for not doing more. My own parents are still living and they to are included in the group of house sparrow helpers. Knowing what I now know today about House Sparrows, I try to inform people how cruel the house sparrow can be during nesting time. Thanks for letting me vent even if this never gets posted.
Signed as myalic
KCBSP Said,
May 10, 2009 @ 12:09 am
Hi, I sure understand what you are talking about. It’s good that you have a bigger picture now. I don’t know how to contact you and yes your message was posted.
Many of us grew up with not knowing things, and many snicker and will call us birdie names too like we are odd in some way. Just ignore and know what you are doing is what is good for nature in general and the birds. I am the president of BSP, and there are many ways to be involved. I encourage you to contact me for materials you can use to give to others regarding the House Sparrow.
Kathy Clark
Maribee Said,
May 23, 2009 @ 3:45 am
Hi Cathy, I’m facing this problem too (though I am a recent convert and was clueless not long ago). Many Bluebird lovers here in Lanc. Co. who aren’t informed and proactive, so I’d love any information to pass along, thank you! (midwife mb at yahoo dot com).
Phil Said,
May 31, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
The problem I’m finding is that a lot of people are putting up bluebird boxes at places like schools and golf courses(Eagle scout projects, etc.) and then leave them unattended. Of course the house sparrows take over. I’m been trying to monitor at least some of these boxes, but the more I’ve become aware of the problem, the more boxes I find.
tg4799 Said,
June 16, 2009 @ 8:16 pm
Hi myalic,
Its nice to see your passion. One of the hardest parts about caring about environmental concerns (or anything, really) is to meet other people where they are in their knowledge and concern. As other folks are educated, as you have been, they may slowly move up the continuum of caring and action. You may have to accept that they may not, as well.
I encourage you to focus on the positive. Many folks are overwhelmed with ‘being green’ and being told what is harmful and destructive. If you have a chance to monitor a bluebird trail or have a box in your yard, invite others to accompany you in checking on the birds. Nothing invokes the heart like a tiny bluebird, the antics of a chickadee, or the speed and grace of a swallow.
Pennsylvania State Parks also has opportunities to volunteer for bluebirds and other cavity nesters, through our Cavity-Nesting Trails Volunteer program. Some parks have trails lacking monitors and some parks may be willing to start a new trail. Feel free to contact a park near you, or myself,
tagettig at state dot pa dot us
Thank you and good luck,
Tara-
Cavity-Nesting Trails Coordinator
KCBSP Said,
June 25, 2009 @ 7:00 am
Maribee,
BSP is coming up with a new booklet we will be selling in the near future on our online store. There will be a section on house sparrows. I’ll ask that we make new information handouts and that something be posted on our website. In the meantime at http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org there are information sheets you can print off. I’m sorry I am so late in replying.
Kathy