Bird Watching: 6 Eastern Bluebird eggs again this year!!, 1 by BirdieBlue

BirdieBlue wrote:
This morning the nest looked different the nesting material was near the entrance. When I took a picture, there were no babies. I took the nest box down to inspect and, yep, it felt heavy and i saw a bit of glistening black under the nest.
A Big Black Rat snake was resting under the nest with a full belly. I took the box to the rear of the yard near the woods and got id of the snake. It won't be back.
I am so broken hearted. 3 years ago when Imounted that box I had no idea it would attract Bluebirds. I am physically unable to mount a pole (2' deep) and have made every effort to keep this area clear with short grass etc. My heart broke and tears flowed when I watched the Bluebird parents this morning each fill their beaks with meal worms and fly to where the nest box was, then flutter and divert to their nearby lookout tree.
Does anyone have any suggestions for making that area predator safe? could I somehow mount chicken wire or hardware cloth with the upper edge, jagged and turned out and down? would that help?? they raised 2 broods here last summer...no problem. I don't know why they liked this box.

I have 2 poles and 2 regular BB houses. I also have finally found someone who says he will mount them for me tomorrow. I am thinking of 1 near where this one was and the other out in the yard. then they can chose. I will stovepipe each of them. Hopefully this pair will soon nest again.
I am so sad, I feel like the sunlight has been taken out of my life.

broken hearted BirdieBlue

last nest picture

This message was edited May 20, 2009 11:23 AM