As one who maintains a bluebird trail of 30 nest boxes and who has been active in the national bluebirding community for seven years, I endorse the position stated by Steve Hirsch of the Minnesota DNR. I already have written him to encourage adoption of this change, and I urge you to do the same. Here is what Mr. Hirsch says at the end of the message Ms. Stiteler posted:
"Help stop this cycle of releasing rehabilitated house sparrows which in turn cause death or injury to our native song birds, some of which may survive to be treated by rehabilitation centers!" Rehab centers (think of the current efforts of The Raptor Center to raise money) have no fewer difficulties raising needed funds than do other non-profits. To spend those limited funds on treatment of invasive and foreign bird species that do harm to native bird species makes no sense at all. My bluebird nest boxes lost 12 bluebird eggs and/or hatchlings to House Sparrow predation last year. I trap and kill House Sparrows when I can. I cannot imagine the rationale of treating injured House Sparrows (and European Starlings) and releasing them so they can kill more (for example) bluebirds. All of Minnesota's cavity-nesting bird species can be harmed by the competition offered by House Sparrows and starlings for nesting sites. Cavity nesters have enough problems just finding suitable places to nest. They do not need to compete with invasive species, particularly those on which rehab money has been spent. Jim Williams Wayzata
