Q We live in the country and have a lot of bluebird houses, which are being taken over by sparrows. How do we keep the sparrows out?
A At this time of year, you have to check every day and pull out the sparrow nesting material and eggs to discourage them, said Jenean Mortenson with the state's Bluebird Recovery Program.
It's easy to tell a sparrow's nest from a bluebird's: Sparrows use paper, gum wrappers and other litter; bluebirds use grasses.
House sparrows are not native to this country and they're the worst enemy of our native bluebirds, killing their young. Avoid placing bluebird boxes where house sparrows are abundant -- near livestock farms or within cities. Check boxes at least once a week and remove any sparrow nesting material, Mortenson said.
Another problem bird is the house wren. These sweet-singing little birds poke holes in other birds' eggs, and take over nest boxes by filling them with sticks.
However, do allow bluebird boxes to be used by native cavity nesters, such as black-capped chickadees and tree swallows. Both birds' nesting material differs from that of wrens and sparrows. Chickadee nests are mossy and very soft with bunny fur. For some reason, swallows always include a white feather in their nests.
Mortenson said that this has been a tough spring for bluebirds. Because of the weather their food, mostly mealworms, has been scarce. To feed bluebirds, she suggests drilling little holes in the side of the box and putting in a cup with mealworms.
More information on attracting nesting bluebirds is at www.bbrp.org.
