House Sparrows

[greenrook]

Our resident House Sparrows have for two seasons happily raised broods in one of the nest boxes on our East wall, while ignoring the other identical box situated 4 feet away. I don't know whether to relocate the unpopular box or leave it and see what happens next Spring. There are other nests nearby each year, and sparrows quite like communal living, so it's a bit of a mystery...

[grivitate]

wow sparrows huh? I tried sparrow nest soup once. Really expensive and was no way a substitute for viagra. We have sparrows at mine but i took all the ivy down so they will have to relocate.

Hope this helps

[King Normie]

I would Move it. The Sparrows don't use it and it be Impossible to know why. Maybe a Change of Location will make it more attractive, or maybe there be something wrong with the box that only they perceive . . .only way to know be to move it and see what happens . . .

[wildwood]

House sparrows are feisty little sods and would chase any other sparrow away from a box that is only 4ft away from their box. They will return to breed at the place where they have had success previously, as they know that it is safe.
One pair nests at one corner of our garage (20X20) and will viciously chase any other sparrow who comes near the garage. In previous years we've had three corners occupied at the same time so there is an individual tolerance, although 4 feet will be pushing it.

[greenrook]

I thank you, King Normie and wildwood, and I think you are both right - I think these birds aren't nearly as communally-inclined as the literature would have you believe. The existing and long-standing nests (before we came to live here 4 years ago) are about 25 feet from where we put up the new ones, as the sparrow flies, so I think we must move the dodgy nestbox round to the North of the house and see what occurs.
just a footnote - we have a deck outside the kitchen French doors, and there are various birdtables, a birdbath etc., and most Cornish Summer evenings we will be having a glass or two out there, and these dozy fledglings will peck around our feet, even ignoring our ancient sleeping Siamese a couple of feet away. I say dozy because they have yet to learn their world is dangerous. But I always feel a bit priviledged when a daft spuggie patters over my feet.
Thanks again for your interest