Since filling the bird feeder this fall, I have had swarms of House (English) Sparrows. They are boisterous and drive away the desirable, song birds. I searched online and found a reference to the "Magic Halo". This is a contraption that has lengths of monofilament hanging down on each side of the feeder. I tried fabbing up my own version. It works!!! As soon as I put it up, they sat in the bushes and stared at it. For a day or so, they would still eat on the ground, but now they are gone. The best part, the other birds, the juncos and house finches and the chickadees aren't bothered at all. If you want to make your own, the important part is the monofilament and something to hold it up there. Magic Halo For Bird Feeders