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Oops. I skipped your other issue.
EABL will toss eggs, as will most any other bird if they want a nesting place. It could have been him but there isn’t really any way to be certain.
Gin
Atlanta, GAEvie, I feel your pain about the wrens. Been there, done that, bought the DVD. I NEVER let them successfully nest here.
If possible, move ALL of the boxes and face them in a different direction for a while. There is no guarantee that a wren won’t find these openings but at least he will have to hunt for them a little. Get them as far away from brush and woodsy areas as you can. You could even temporarily block the holes to further confound him.
The article: http://audubon-omaha.org/bbbox/wren.htm It’s long but worth the time.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI don’t think the cool nights will have much effect at all. She’s in there all night, keeping the eggs warm.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI think sides are important but with a skittish bird like this one you did the right thing not starting with them. Just so you know, I leave guards on until day 10 because I don’t trust HOWR.
Gin
Atlanta, GAMy experience has always been, they toss and then they claim the box.
They don’t always claim the box. Sometimes they just make the rounds, destroying all eggs and small chicks they can find in their territory. Birds that don’t nest in cavities are not exempt. If you want to read an interesting story on this activity I can find it for you.
Gin
Atlanta, GARenee, some years ago I had a friend who also had her tonsils removed. No fun at all! She said it was the worst sore throat ever. I am so glad you are feeling better.
Yippee! The PROW returned!
Gin
Atlanta, GAI 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, GAWrens pierce eggs while picking them up to toss out of the nest. Sometimes the piercing causes an egg to crack open completely. After all, why be careful handling somebody else’s eggs? Has anybody looked at that beak? It’s perfect for killing an egg.
Robins, mockers and others will use any convenient perch as a hunting spot. It sounds like that is what he’s doing.
Gin
Atlanta, GAHugh, I don’t know how many years I have been using wren guards on boxes. Some females take longer than others to adjust; some males never do. Ultimately, all females will figure out a way to enter the box if there are eggs inside.
Yes, the ideal time to install a guard is within a few hours of the first egg. That gives her the rest of that day to figure things out. However, with wrens around you can’t be too careful and I would still try to help her make the adjustment.
This is 3 days later. Did she deal with the gradual lowering of the guard?
Gin
Atlanta, GAPlease use a wren guard. It’s not a sure thing but better than nothing. As with all additions to their housing, you have to watch for acceptance.
Gin
Atlanta, GAThey are not going to be safe on the awning post either. Just think of snakes and raccoons. If you don’t think you have those around, you do. On a slick, baffled pole well away from bushes, fences and low overhanging tree branches is really the safest place.
Gin
Atlanta, GAYou should grease the pole under the baffle where the birds can’t come into contact with it. I use lithium garage door track grease because it lasts all year. I would also lift the nest and wipe the ants and their eggs out of there.
Gin
Atlanta, GAIt was a success to them. Fledging marks success, not hatch rate. I don’t know if they will nest again but I would clean out the box and see what happens.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI could have said use the bar soap not the liquid. This is standard practice and it works very well if applied properly.
Gin
Atlanta, GA
