Peeking but not entering

[Roger]

Good thoughts AIH. Perhaps it is a different egg? I will update this thread on the next next check.

[Roger]

My friends I am devastated. I just did a nest check and there are 4 bluebird eggs on the ground, all cracked open, and one stuck to the roof of the box, also with a pecking mark on one side. Could this be a predator attack or did the bluebirds do this and abandon their young? Just looking for some answers.

[Roger]

I am doing research and noticed this quote on the HOSP attack page on sialis.org: “…a male HOSP entered my bluebird box and totally destroyed all four eggs. He threw them out of the box, all were pecked open.” I think this is what happened here. I didn’t see this happen but it must have happened earlier in the day because the egg yolks have somewhat congealed.

[AIH]

I found this. Sounds like you will have already found it, or will soon.

This breaks my heart.

- Ira / Coastal NW Florida

[Roger]

Thank you AIH. I guess the odds are on HOSP attack. Meets these criteria from sialis.org: “White noodle shaped feces on nestbox roof…eggs suddenly disappear, or eggs are broken in nest or on ground near box or under bush.”

Just wondering what the next practical steps are. Clean out the nest? How long should I wait until I do it?

And can I expect maybe another couple this season?

I will also continue active HOSP control.

[AIH]

I think house sparrows fit the description there. I wanted to wait and see if you read it the same as me.

I’m getting now why people hate the house sparrows.

- Ira / Coastal NW Florida

[tamsea]

House Sparrow most likely. So sorry. That’s heartbreaking!! If the 5th egg isn’t destroyed yet, then put that repeater trap right under the box, with seed in the bait tray and see if you can catch him. If the 5th egg is gone which I’m guessing is the case, usually the bluebirds won’t renest right away. If they act disinterested for several days remove the nest. If they are going in and out of the nest you may want to wait a bit to see what happens. Usually for me when something happens like this the parents loose interest and I clean out the nest and later they start building again. You’ll most likely have another nest. They have two or three per season.
Get a Sparrow Spooker made and put that up next time right after the first egg is laid. That reminds me I need to put mine up!!! I’ll give you some links.

Sparrow Spookers: Designs & Instructions

• This reply was modified 10 months, 3 weeks ago by tamsea.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Here’s another one. On this one you have to scroll down the page to see it. I make the pvc longer and attach it to the back of the box sometimes instead of the block of wood on top.
https://www.nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox-predator-controls.html

Tammy

[Roger]

Update: tree swallows have been observed building a nest in the box.

[tamsea]

Great, Roger! They’re fun. They will get used to a sparrow spooker easily too if you’re worried about a HOSP getting those eggs. (HOSP=House Sparrow)
But one good thing about Tree Swallows is that they are a little better guarding their nests.
If you use a Spooker you only put it on after the first egg is laid.

Tammy

[Author]

Posts