Question on Martins and Sparrows

Hutch&Maret Hutchinson (coolspring@hotmail.com)
Thu, 14 May 1998 13:54:35 PDT


All:  Does anyone know much about the interaction of purple martins and 
house sparrows?  There are a couple of very active martin houses down in 
Solomons near the sailing club and I've noticed two years in a row that 
there seem to be a lot of both birds early and then later in the Spring, 
there are only martins.  I'm only there on weekends now and then so I 
don't have any continuous observations to tell me whether the sparrows 
just move out or whether the martins drive them out.  This question has 
taken on a more personal relevance this week since I have one pair of 
martins that have filled up 3 holes in the 12 hole house in my backyard 
in Adelphi and two days ago, some sparrows started landing and look to 
be staking a claim to some of the holes.  The martins are still around 
but seem to have moved arond to the other side of the house.  I'd like 
to disposses the sparrows but don't want to upset the martins.  Any 
suggestions?  Thanx in advance.  Hutch

Carl Hutchinson
Adelphi, MD
coolspring@hotmail.com

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