Bird Watching: Bluebirds 2013, 1 by IRIS

IRIS wrote:
Lily_love, Thanks! To your post above ..I'm sure the male was around, Sometimes they just disapear for a while ( Probably hunting next yard over) I check my boxes during the day and sometimes the female's in there and she flies out, But, she always comes back, I usually tap on the box first to give her a chance to fly before I open the door. I check every now and then to make sure all is ok, One time, When I had the box in a different location and I checked, there were ants starting to get into the box, So I had to take the nest out, Chicks and all, And clean the box out, ( Wanted to make sure there were no ants eating on the chicks) Cleaned the box, Moved the box and put the nest back in, She just went right back to them and all was fine.

David, 4 eggs, thats Great!!! Yeaaaa! ~ I didn't check the box today, Too much to do and then had a monsoon rain storm!

On another note, I had a Very Sad Evening last night! ~ I let my dog out at about 9:30 last night and I could hear the Thrush down the end of the yard making noises, I knew right off that it wasn't a good thing, I knew something was at her nest!!! ~ I took the flashlight out and went looking, Sure Enough, It was a Black Racer Snake in the nest and it ate the babys!!!!!!!!! I tried to do the best I could to save them, But, I was too late!! :(
I was so mad, But, I had to remind myself that it's part of nature and the snake was doing what it was programed to do, I Did catch it ( Well, actually, My hubby did) and we relocated it. I felt so sad, Especially since I watched her make the nest, Have the eggs, And the babys were getting feathered! I had even put an unbrella above the shrub where they had there nest the other day to help protect them against the heavy rains we have been having, And yesterday morning the parents came to the dish to get some worms for the chicks, They almost made it, So sad! I always worry when the birds have nests in the shrubs because it is easy access for preditors , But, Unfortunately, There is nothing I can do to protect them when there nest is in the shrubs, Can only protect the ones that nest in the pole boxes. I hope they will nest again and hope they will have a better chance now that the snake is gone, But, I'm sure another might come along or some other preditor especially seeing it's now getting into the warmest months. I Thank God that the Bluebird box has some protection, I also always listen for the bird sounds as I know the differences of each species when they make a distress call, during the day when I'm out there, I can do something, But, During the night, It's out of my control usually. Posted some photos of the snake and the Thrush at the dish yesterday morning and a couple Bluebird photos ..

Momma Thrush
Black Racer
Bluebird Fledgling
Bluebird dad and Fledglings
Bluebird Fledgling and pops ... Hey, Save me some dad!! ( lol)