6 Eastern Bluebird eggs again this year!!

Both Momma & Daddy Blue @ meal worm dish and the Tufted Titmouse watching for anything dropped!

This message was edited May 15, 2009 11:50 AM

Momma Robin on the fence near her nest (in the thick area of vine, way to the right)

This message was edited May 15, 2009 11:54 AM

5 baby Blue birds @ 10 & 11days old
On closer inspection...maybe only 4 babies. Seems like there were 1 or 2 eggs that didn't hatch with the others.
They sure look healthy though, don't they!!

This message was edited May 15, 2009 12:16 PM

Very sweet Birdie.

Well, I just checked the Robin's nest ....and it is empty:-( I know a Racoon wanders around in the winter, so figure it must be here this time of year also. Something got those babies, they were deffinately too young to fledge.
the parents are still guarding the empty nest though.
At least the Bluebirds are inside the fence and up on the porch. I hope they stay safe.

Oh that is to bad about the robins Birdie. Seems to be a lot of that going around.... if you have raccoons in the winter they are there now too. ANd could be a momma with babies to feed of her own.

The raccoon could possibly climb up the downspout there, as could snakes...so hope for the best I guess.

That downspout is so loose that if anything tried to climb it I think it would fall off. I have sort of "boobytraped" it. I know about the snake issue, but don't know of a good way to handle that. I sprinkle some stuff called"snake away" very regularly around the back deck. Not that I am aware of a snake problem, but as added precaution.
I do keep the grass short and just pray that this year will be as fortunate for the bluebirds here as last year.

Yes, since you asked, Sunny - the Blue birds did nest again this year in the atypical nestbox on my back deck. the eggs hatched on the 5th and they should fledge next Sunday. Here is a link to the thread http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/980393/
So many wonderful birds and birders and friends to be found here at DavesGarden!!

Guess whose eyes are open!!

Precious, Birdie. Thanks for the update.

Dave

Birdie, I'm VERY sorry for your loss

The snake, he is just doing what comes natural to them.

Unfortunately having the box set up the way it was is like setting up a dinner plate for the snake.

Again sorry for your loss.



This message was edited May 18, 2009 8:56 AM

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

Birdie, I KNOW you did not do that purposefully. It was just a comparison.

Glad you found someone who will mount them for you.

Oh, Ok...I am feeling sooo bad about this. I wish there was some way to close this thread, like closing a co-op thread.
I got all the parts today and hopefully this guy will show up. the male is already feeding Momma, so he definaately wants her to nest again someplace.
the sun will shine again, I know.

I just found this thread, and I'm so sorry the snake found your special bluebirds. The photos you shared are wonderful, and while I know we didn't get the happy fledgling ending we wanted, I'm glad the thread isn't gone or closed. Sounds to me like your bluebird pair will be building a new nest in no time... I hope they put it where you can see it! :-)

Since they like that spot so well. What if i just removed the downspout when there is a nest there? Wouldn't that eliminate the threat?? Heck, if it raianed hard, I could just place a track can under it. that only is for about a 15' area of gutter anyway.
I got the poles and baffles mounted, but I think the guy cut the poses to short. the top edge is about 5'6". Iam having a time mounting the nestboxes though...wrong hole placement, etc. the male keeps flying to where the old box was too.
Please somebody give me some feedback on my rain gutter removal idea. It just seems to me that if there is no way to cimb up that it would be safe.

They usually say around 5 feet for a Blue Bird box. I hope Dave comes along...maybe you could dmail him. But without being able to see the whole area really to be sure there is no other access to the nest by snakes, it is hard to say.

Could you put some meal worms out by the new boxes maybe??

Another thing to consider is squirrels. They can jump pretty far so you want it to be a good distance from buildngs,fences and trees.