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”I took this picture on Saturday July 14. The second nest for my pair with 4 eggs. Yesterday, July 17 I took this picture
Empty nest with no sign of eggs or egg shells outside the box. Nest not messed up just completely gone. On top of that no mom in sight and she had been so diligently sitting on them. Dad was going in and out of the box and calling. No sign of a struggle and no feathers. The box is double baffled and not close to a tree or fence for anything to jump. What would get completely rid of the eggs without any telltale sign?agp in Iowa
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This isn’t the exact house but it has the same double baffle as this one.agp in Iowa
Leaving little trace is usually the work of a snake. If you look at both pictures you can see differences in the two so there is a slight trace. In the second one the cup isn’t nearly as neat. That’s a big change in 3 days if it wasn’t a snake.
The really big snakes can get around most baffles. A Krueger trap is last resort but you might have to do that. You also have quite a lot of vegetation around the box. If you shorten everything a snake can’t hide.
So sorry. Those were pretty eggs.
Gin
Atlanta, GASorry agp for your loss. I would tend to think snake also but I have not had any experience with that happening. I hope the BB’s start another nest and family for you soon.
Connie (PA)The house in the picture isn’t the one where the eggs disappeared. I don’t have a pic of it and I’m out of town. The house is in my yard which is mowed regularly. I haven’t ever seen any snakes around. The house is pretty high up and double baffled. If it was a snake I hope he didn’t eat my mom too!
agp in Iowa
I found some pictures of Krueger snake traps. I’ll have to try that. I thought I was bullet proof with two baffles.
agp in Iowa
You aren’t snake proof with baffles. Ours can climb right up them. I don’t know if you saw my post on another thread but I dispatched a snaked from the iron fence 3 feet from my box who could have climbed over my Kreuger. And yes, they will try again. I plan to move mine further from fence and vegetation in case we have another brood. I just miraculously happened to be out late at night (11 PM) and catch mine. So sorry. But BBs keep on trying, especially after a loss.
I find that moving the house helps.
Good luck and sorry, I know the heartbreak all too well and learn something new every year, with every loss. I think this is my first year without a HOWR or snake loss.agp, I have read putting barbed wire around the bottom of the post deters snakes. I have no experience with trying that but it is a thought, and maybe worth looking into.
Connie (PA)Or you could do a Kreuger trap on the ground if there is not a nearby fence. My cats loved helping me make mine. What a mess. Mesh everywhere. I am not very handy so mine looks kind of crazy but no snake attacks in 2 years. Haven’t caught a snake, either though. So who knows?
I’m not getting notified when people reply even though I checked the box so sorry for the delay. My house is about 10 feet from our fence. I will move it further out and do a Krueger. Unfortunately I won’t be home until July 30 so I won’t be able to see what is going on till then. I will let you know if they have started over. Thanks for your thoughts!
agp in Iowa
agp, I never get notifications either. I used to but them they just stopped for no apparent reason.
Connie (PA)I’m back home after being away for 10 days. I found the empty nest just before I left. Dad came to the box today a few times and still keeps calling for the mom. I haven’t seen her and the nest is still empty. I think something happened to her unfortunately. I am thinking of taking out the nest and replacing the house with my slot box. I leave my boxes up year round for roosting and shelter. Do you think I should wait since he is still coming around?
agp in Iowa
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