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- This topic has 11 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 5 months ago by Carol – Mid-Mo..
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May 10, 2021 at 8:06 am #9052
Raccoons tore down the nestbox and devoured the young overnight. Had to be a group of them, brought the birdhouse down and opened the door. The nestlings were roughly 12 days old.
I fed them so many mealworms yesterday in the 47 degree rain. I went to Walmart this morning and got mealworms as soon as they opened at 7 a.m., pulled in the driveway and saw the scene.
I saw the adults this morning, they had one last meal and departed, as if to say, “Chris, you failed us!”
Chris
SW OhioMay 10, 2021 at 10:49 am #9053Oh no! Terrible news. Did you have a predator baffle up by any chance, Chris? It’s a wonder any of these birds survive. We love learn and get back up again. Luckily they’ll nest again…maybe 2 more times.
- This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by phillyblues.
May 10, 2021 at 11:38 am #9059No. This particular house was on wooden post that was a property marker, about 8 inches in diameter. Its been up for probably 12 years, had virginia creeper growing up it. It was kinda big to try to wrap something around it, and being near the road i didnt want to draw attention to it.
I do have either PVC or the homemade stovepipe baffles around the steel posts i have other birdhouses mounted on, they are just all occupied by chickadees and wrens.
The first nesting this season was in a box on a steel pole with stovepipe, and the dad was killed by a red shouldered hawk. The mom i presumed got a new mate and nested in what was available.
- This reply was modified 3 years, 6 months ago by Chris.
May 10, 2021 at 9:36 pm #9068Chris, I saw that nestbox in your other post and as Carol said was inviting trouble. Any climbing critter (snake, racoons, squirrels, cats. etc.)can just climb right up those vines and the wooden pole with ease. It would still be a good nestbox if you would mount it on a slick steel or PVC pole and use a baffle to protect it from climbers.
- This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by David in Stafford,VA.
David
Stafford, VAMay 10, 2021 at 10:35 pm #9072On an encouraging note the parents were checking out another box. They still were coming to get mealworms, the mother was collecting two or three at a time and flying off.
Chris
May 11, 2021 at 2:17 pm #9074Hi Chris:
I know how you feel. Lost one set of Bluebirds to a bear last year and I was broken hearted but in just a short time mama had built anther nest and all was right with the world. I see your birds are doing the same, so all’s well that ends well.- This reply was modified 3 years, 5 months ago by Sassy.
May 11, 2021 at 4:16 pm #9076I saw the raccoon last night, looking out my window. I set a havahart with marshmallows, he got the bait but didn’t trigger the trap. He stood on his hind legs, somewhat like a bear, and drank the sugar water out of my oriole feeder, on a sheperd’s hook. Tilted it up like a jug of beer. He must weigh at least 20 lbs.
Resetting trap tonight, relocated birdhouses with baffles.
Chris
May 13, 2021 at 12:28 pm #9086Chris, so sorry this happened…..it’s a birdwatcher’s nightmare‼️ I hope they build again in the safe box you have ready for them. It’s a good sign they still came for the mealworm treat. Best wishes.
Judy – Michigan
May 13, 2021 at 1:40 pm #9087Thanks. They restarted in a Peterson box in the backyard, waiting for the first egg.
Chris
May 14, 2021 at 8:22 am #9095Hope that Peterson box (and hopefully predator controls like sparrow spooker, wren guards, greased pole, etc.) will do the trick, Chris.
May 14, 2021 at 9:17 pm #9098I’m prepared on all counts except the wren guard, ive never used those but reading up on them. Stovepipe baffle installed, i have a sparrow spooker and waiting for the first egg.
May 15, 2021 at 8:12 am #9099Yes, if you do have House Wrens in your area at all, they are as big a predator as are the HOSP. They usually go after the BB eggs – throw them on the ground to break. I have had this happen before a very few times when I didn’t get the wren guard up in time. The wrens are a protected by law bird so we need to heed this – just try to keep them out of the box – no trapping!
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