Missing egg heartbreak

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  • #2275
    Rich K
    Participant

      Well, this morning I went to check to see if egg#2 had been laid only to discover NO eggs in the nest at all. There is a small wet spot that looks like the egg was broken in the nest. No sign at all of shells outside the nest. Momma was sitting on the wire and Daddy singing near by. It appears that the outside of the box (I have a Gilbertsons pictured in my Avatar) may be damaged slightly. and wonder if a possum or squirrel may have shinnied up the pole as there are some scratch marks around the entrance hole. Doesn’t appear to be the work of HOSP or HOWR I need to wax the pole today but I wonder – will they try to lay more eggs – or abandon now. I feel sick :'(

      • This topic was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by Rich K.
      #2277
      Rich K
      Participant

        Well on further investigation it is evident that this is the work of HOSP’s. I am SOOOOO mad at myself for not putting the spooker up after egg #1. The past 2 clutches I have waited until all the eggs were laid for fear they would abandon. I’m a complete and utter idiot and feel physically ill right now :(
        I am praying they lay another egg in the morning and the spooker will go right up. Now I will be sitting in the bush with my pellet gun just waiting for those little brown b@@tards to show up and fill them with lead. UGHHHHHHH… :TwoHosp:

        • This reply was modified 8 years, 5 months ago by Rich K.
        #2283
        Love my blues!
        Participant

          Oh, Rich. So sorry! Experience is how we learn these things. Really hope they give it another go. Don’t think you’ll have a problem with them accepting the spooker after 1st egg. My female hasn’t had a problem with it. Took the male a little longer. Wish HOSP had been left in Europe where they originated!

          Nicole

          #2284
          Rich K
          Participant

            Still no egg at 8 AM BUT Mama blue was sitting on the wire directly over the box. Praying she lays this morning.
            :bluebird:

            #2285
            Rich K
            Participant

              UPDATE: While cleaning out a Wren box of sticks I noticed a male HOSP hanging around. Not a normal haunt in a wooded area. I’m convinced he was the culprit. I say WAS because I happened to have my trusty pellet gun near by and sent him to meet his maker. :Cough: Still waiting until 11 AM EST to check the box. Fingers and toes crossed.

              #2289
              Rich K
              Participant

                No egg as of 10:45 :(
                Hopefully tomorrow – but I fear this nesting has been abandoned.

                #2297
                The Original Bluebird Nut
                Admi-nut-strator

                  :Tantrum: Very disappointing, indeed! Don’t beat yourself up, though – just learn from the experience and move on. If the birds don’t come back soon, you may want to clean out the nestbox. They may come back for a subsequent nesting. In the meantime, you should baffle that post just in case it wasn’t a HOSP, but another kind of predator. If there was visible damage on the box, a HOSP wouldn’t have caused that. In any case, getting rid of the HOSP was a good thing! :bluelaser:


                  Central NY
                  TMB Studios

                  #2304
                  Donna in WI
                  Participant

                    Yep, I agree with Gin, get a baffle on that pole, no need to worry if it is waxed enough if you just add a piece of stovepipe. A coon could easily climb up that.

                    Hope your Blues decide to nest again!

                    Donna in WI

                    #2305
                    Rich K
                    Participant

                      No egg today so I removed the nest. They are still hanging around so I hope they decide to build again. If not – lesson learned!!

                      #2309
                      dogsandbirds
                      Moderator

                        I would have been very surprised if she laid another egg unless she absolutely had to. Disappearing eggs tend to upset them to the point that they will abandon the site and try elsewhere. So sorry! I would baffle the pole if you haven’t already done so and hope for another taker.

                        Gin
                        Atlanta, GA

                        #2315
                        Rich K
                        Participant

                          Thanks Gin. The good news is the pair are still very active in the yard. This morning the juvenile male from the first clutch was on top of the box. There are currently 2 females and a male as well as the juvy. Let’s hope they pair up and pick a box. I did find strands of grass in my slot box this morning so I am hopeful of a second clutch. Either way all precautions will be taken!! Learning the hard way!

                          #2319
                          tamsea
                          Moderator

                            Was the nest messed up at all when you saw that the eggs had disappeared? A raccoon can be up that pole in an instant. Please baffle it. Look up at the topics at the top of the page for an easy way to baffle your box.

                            Tammy

                            #2320
                            tamsea
                            Moderator

                              Never mind, I guess it isn’t pinned to the top anymore. Bummer!! I’ll try to give you a link.

                              Tammy

                              #2321
                              tamsea
                              Moderator
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