More Bluebird Happenings

I am a bit depressed and have been for several days. I can't seem to shake it off. Maybe writing about it will help.

It seems I have created something of a killing zone in my backyard for hawks. I have actually photographed hawks flying off with small birds on July 19, July 24 and July 31. From my pictures, the three birds taken appeared to have been house finches or song sparrows. Good shots but a bit graphic for posting here. I figure if I actually witnessed those three, there most likely were at least several more taken that I didn't see.

Then, this past Saturday, August 7, a hawk took my adult female bluebird. Her five fledglings appear to be OK. I see them from a distance but I seldom see more than two or three together so I can't be sure all five are still alive. The adult male is still feeding them in the trees and he too is more cautious than before.

I have friends who have bluebirds that nest in their yards and they give them all names as if they were pets. This is one reason I don't do that. After all, they are still wild birds. But I do invite them up very close to my window and I see and feed and photograph them every day of the year and I do think of them as mine, and when you lose one that you have seen every day for the past thousand days, it does hurt. Fortunately she had completed her three nestings for this season and her youngsters are developed to a point where the adult male can provide for them alone. Every day they become better fliers and In two weeks they will be feeding themselves and able to move about more confidently.

It is probably too late for the adult male to attract a new mate. Most likely that will happen in the Spring. But I will keep you posted.

Dave

Dave,
I am so sorry to learn of your recent loss. That was the female that had been breeding in your nest-boxes for a number of years, I believe. Of course this would create a much greater shock that seeing a sparrow or any other small songbird get captured by a hawk.
The depression that you are experiencing is certainly normal and to be expected in this situation. With as much time as you spend photographing, cataloguing, posting and writing of all of these activities, this obviously was a major part of your life. Of course mama Blue was not a "pet" however, the place that she held in your heart was likely as large as you have had for any of your beloved house pets.
You are a sensitive man who appreciates the beauty and personalities of God's creatures.
There is a saying," Joy shared is multiplied, grief shared is reduced"...I don't think that I have quoted it verbatim, but hope to have gotten the point across.
I have avoided writing that I know how you feel, because I do not. I was devastated when my mama Blue was nabbed last year. I was just getting to know BB's then and was not at all as intimately engaged in their day to day activities and personalities as you have been.
I hope that your Papa Blue and the fledges in his care do well.
You will be in my thoughts and daily prayers for comfort and strength during this trial.


Sheri

edited for missing words

This message was edited Aug 11, 2010 9:20 AM

As it near the end of the season the hawks will probably star hunting elsewhere. I can understand your feelings of guilt, but it nest boxes were not provided where could the BB go? All natural areas are disappearing & the bluebirds need somewhere to call home.

But it does hurt.

I'm glad that you wrote it out here Dave. It does help to talk about it.

I've been feeling the same way ever since I started photographing my birds. When I'm out in the lot next door and I see more than one feather on the ground under the feeder, I worry the rest of the day and check on all my birds to see who's missing. Or, when I hear my jays or crows screeching and raising caine, I know there's either a raptor nearby or one of the neighborhood cats that's threatening my birds and I go running out to see if I can help. I've even gone so far as to tell some neighbors that they were the ones that adopted the cats, not me, so they should keep them on their own property and not mine.

I could go on and on about the raptors grabbing birds off my open deck feeder, but what I'm trying to say is that there are a lot of us bird lovers that feel like a member of their family has been taken away from them each time we either see a bird taken from us or we have to bury one.

We feel like we feel, but we go on because there are other birds that need us to help them grow up. You've given the bluebirds a wonderful chance at life and if one has been taken away from you that's how it was meant to be in nature. Just know that we all share your pain.

So very sorry to hear about your Mama Blue. Even though the birds we love are wild we do tend to think of them as "ours" and I understand completely the loss you must be feeling. Please do not beat yourself up about this incident...it happens in the wild too. It is still important to continue helping the Blues survive as you have been doing for many years. If you start feeling guilty just think about the many Blues that have gotten their start in your back yard.

I'm so sorry to hear about this Dave. I've had birds take here too, though it is usually in the winter. Agreed that you are helping so many Blues.

Do you have any evergreens in your yard? If not and you have room, maybe a nice big one might help for cover.

Or perhaps a big dog. ha.

After reviewing all of you superb photos and marveling at the antics of the BB family I too feel a loss now that Mama Blue is no longer in the picture.

Sorry to hear this sad news Dave.

Sorry to hear about your female Bluebird Dave. She will live on however through all the photograph's you have taken.
I know right now your thinking who may be next and how do I prevent this or deter it...all I can think of is to stop the food/feeder supply for a week or so and hope that the hawk move's on. He's been successful and will keep returning.

Goodluck and RIP Mama Bluebird.

Thanks to each of you for the thoughtful, encouraging words. Few people in the other world would know or appreciate how much these little critters can mean to us.

Here's Papa this afternoon. He sure looks worn out, but maybe he is about to moult.

He's beautiful Dave. I'm glad to see you're back with us with such a nice photo of Papa.

So glad you are back Dave. I know there have been many praying for you.

Papa Sure does look bedraggled, but in this heat wave we've had, it sure seems like a good time to shed a few feathers.

Are the fledges still feeding? Or do they still depend on Papa.

Wing wave to ya,
Sheri

My new adult female. She's been hanging around since last Saturday but still doesn't understand how to get into the meal worm feeder cage. (Or maybe she does but she is just leery of Papa because he chases her whenever he sees her). She seems determined, however and he may accept her once the youngsters are weaned. Several of them are coming to the feeder on their own and he stands back while they enter and feed themselves. But he is still taking large mouthfuls to the trees, too, so I guess there are at least a couple that he is still feeding.

As you can see, the new female is well into her moult. Papa is shaggy and scroungy looking but he really hasn't started to moult yet.

awww, congrats.

She's just beautiful Dave. I'm glad she arrived so Papa will stay around and start a new family.

She's lovely Dave!

Well that didn't take long. Papa must be a stud amongst the Bluebird world. lol

Burd, I think it's also a matter of real estate. He happens to "own" property with water and unlimited food in an area heavily populated with female bluebirds.

Here is another shot of her, taken a few minutes ago.

That last photo is just incredible. She sure is a beauty.