The HOSP will be threat to both your bluebirds and your martins. They will compete for housing, and they are very determined birds. Not only will they take over a house, but they are willing to kill the current occupants to get it. I have seen this happen - it is heartbreaking. If you go over to the bluebirding forum you can get more information about this topic. It has been a touchy subject here in the bird watching forum in the past, so over there would probably be a better place to discuss it ;)

"Is it really necessary to get rid of them?"

In a word "YES"!!!!! Please for the safety of your bluebirds and the PM, get rid of the hosp. It is VERY heartbreaking to see what a hosp. can do to a nesting bird.

Wishing you luck
Karen

As I've discovered these aren't house sparrows. These have a black chin and a black crown.

House Sparrow male:

Black-chinned Sparrow:

a completely impossible species:

Gray-crowned Rosy Finch:

House Sparrows are extremely bad for native hole-nesting species.

Do you have a photo of your new arrivals? If they're not HOSP, then I would love to know what they are.

Could they be Chickadees???? If so they are welcome cavity nesters. No problem at all.
Cathy

I am very new at feeding birds, so I need some advice.

The house sparrows in the neighborhood are numerous, and they are starting to invade my feeders big-time. They descend on the feeder and pretty much eliminate the chances of other birds participating.

Is the magic halo helpful at all? I am planning to eliminate all foods but safflower and see what happens, maybe for a week; but I'm afraid they will just come back.

Any thoughts/experiences/advice?

I've used magic halos for years, and I find that they are about 90% effective. Approximately 1 in 10 HOSP gets through, but never become a problem.
The best thing about the magic halo is telling my nosey neighbors that's it's an antennae to receive transmissions from the Mother Ship. They haven't bothered me since...

Thank you litholad, your post was very helpful!

Look out house sparrows!

Also, your "Mother Ship" line could be very helpful for my neighbors too.

I am wondering which, if any, water features people find helpful (besides bird baths) in their bird gardens. Water wigglers? Drippers or misters? And if anyone has something else that has worked well for them, would you mind sharing the idea?

This is from a new bird watcher who is trying to set up a really appealing bird garden that works.

Thanks!