Season 2016 over – First dead bluebird ever

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  • #1361
    phillyblues
    Participant

      Went to the trail today and to my horror recovered a dead bluebird with the start of a HOSP nest on top of it. I can’t even tell if it’s the male or female it is pecked apart so bad. This was a box with an extra escape hole – but not a “mansion” box. I just want to take every single box down at this point. So awful. This pair started the nest in late February and now it’s over.

      dead bluebird

      • This topic was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by phillyblues.
      #1363
      dogsandbirds
      Moderator

        So sad. I hope you get the HOSP.

        Gin
        Atlanta, GA

        #1364
        Carol – Mid-Mo.
        Participant

          That’s awful – I just can’t imagine how these “birds” can be so vicious – if it were for food I might understand, but this is just plain mean. I am angry with my blues at this point because they won’t decide to go ahead with the nest they have completed – want to keep jumping around checking out other boxes. BUT, I love them to pieces, just like children we love all the time and don’t like at other times. Hang in there – you can’t win if you don’t try. But I can understand your frustration.

          #1365
          phillyblues
          Participant

            Can anyone tell from this if it’s the mom or dad? I assumed more blue if it was the male.

            #1366
            phillyblues
            Participant

              I wish I could get them. But it’s a public park and I can’t be there much other than to check every other day or so. Maybe I’ll get working on making a mansion two-holed box. The swallows are back now too, so I worry about them, but also that the bluebirds will be done with the location now. Frustrating!!!

              #1367
              Puppygroomer
              Participant

                I’m sorry for your loss. I lost 7 day old Tree Swallow babies last year to Sparrows. You can’t give up, just take precautions.
                My guess would be that was the female, but I,m not an expert.
                Hang in there.

                #1368
                ReneeinWinslow
                Participant

                  Don’t you just hate those rats birds. Looks like a female to me because of the lighter blue on the back.


                  When the new wears off the old shines through

                  When The New Wears Off The Old Shines Through.

                  #1370
                  The Original Bluebird Nut
                  Admi-nut-strator

                    :Tantrum: That’s very frustrating. But it was a dead bluebird that first drew me to becoming the Bluebird Nut I am today. Don’t give up. You might be able to get the little devil using a VanErt trap in the box, and just hanging out for a little while near the box – parked in your car or something. Disposing of the culprit would be the best thing you could do for that poor dead mama bird.


                    Central NY
                    TMB Studios

                    #1371
                    phillyblues
                    Participant

                      Hmmm that’s a thought. Is it worth hiding a repeating cage trap in the bushes or something?

                      #1377
                      tamsea
                      Moderator

                        I was going to say it was a male. I trap with a Van Ert on a walking trail. I just put the trap in and either wait in my car for awhile or go home and come back later to check it. I wait until the trail is pretty empty before removing it from the box. I’m not convinced that the two holed is better. In my line of thinking it also gives the HOSP more ways to enter. And one bluebird can’t protect both holes. Just my opinion, but I’ve never owned one.

                        Tammy

                        #1380
                        Love my blues!
                        Participant

                          How devastating! That angers me to no end! Would definitely use the Van Ert to capture that nasty bully. So so sorry! That’s just awful.

                          Nicole :Cry:
                          :shoot9:

                          #1390
                          phillyblues
                          Participant

                            OMG a new(?) pair was there when I checked after work today! Now I am super paranoid though! I just know those little devils are somewhere. Now I wonder if that dead one was part of a pair or not?

                            #1394
                            Love my blues!
                            Participant

                              I know you’re an experienced bluebirder, so I apologize for asking this, but did you have a sparrow spooker up? Not sure if you had eggs yet? Just trying to learn more myself. It’s got to be more difficult staying on top of these things when you have a trail.

                              I know that you must be really nervous for that new pair. Glad they’re there, but wish you could’ve trapped those HOSP. Praying that it all works out!

                              Nicole

                              #1401
                              phillyblues
                              Participant

                                Don’t apologize! I really am a rookie. My first bluebirds ever fledged last year. I have fledged a lot of swallows before though. I didn’t put up spookers but maybe I should? I always thought those were for once the eggs were laid. I was thinking of making a two hole mansion and putting that up in place once I know which box they choose.Wish I could sit there with a bb gun and take care of the problem one by one!

                                • This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by phillyblues.
                                #1413
                                dogsandbirds
                                Moderator

                                  You are right about the timing of the spooker. Not until that first egg.

                                  Gin
                                  Atlanta, GA

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