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But when it comes to favoring one native songbird over another – either within a species, or of a different species (with the possible exception of HOWR, who are very destructive) – I tend to let the birds sort it out themselves.
Like right now I have a pair of BHNU in the box that the EABL typically use and I am SO happy! Those little guys are the cutest things. They do have a hole reducer, though, to keep those raiding blue shoulders out of there. They won the box by starting first and deserve a little bit of help.
Gin
Atlanta, GAThere has been some discussion over the years regarding when/if to remove eggs that are beyond their expected hatch date. Some people think it’s ok to remove nonviable eggs at any time after candling. Others think it’s best to leave things as they are until the adults lose interest. The reason behind this is if you remove them early, the adults will most likely regard this as a failure and will abandon the nest site. Me? I’m in camp #2.
18 days isn’t all that overdue if incubation was delayed and it might have been for whatever reason. I would advise waiting a few more days and see what happens.
One more thing. Sometimes you can just look at an egg and see it is bad without having to candle it. You will see a clear line of difference, with a light portion and a darker portion. That is a definite indicator.
Gin
Atlanta, GAIf another pair comes along, the pair that comes for food will probably protest because of the food but might not win. It all depends on the birds.
The interior of your box sounds fine to me. All I do with mine is scrape out the old nest and then scrape the interior surfaces.
Gin
Atlanta, GAYou can pretty much put your DRST where you get the best results. If your neighbors don’t like it, maybe you could educate them. It’s worth a try. It can be hard to get the first bird to enter and many people have to catch a bait bird with a Van Ert.
It’s really hard to tell for sure but the bird in your picture looks a little like a female cowbird. The plumage is right anyway.
Gin
Atlanta, GAIt’s been “stickied” at the top of the discussion page. http://bluebirdnut.com/forums/topic/deluxe-repeating-sparrow-trap-information/ It’s not “read only” so post away!
Gin
Atlanta, GAIt might be a little early for them where you are. The timing of nest building somewhat hinges on the food supply. When it becomes abundant you’ll probably see some action.
Gin
Atlanta, GAMissing eggs often remain a mystery. A snake would have taken all of them and a wren would have pierced all of them and thrown them out UNLESS it was interrupted.
Sometimes (read rarely) adult birds will remove an unviable egg.
Sadly, there is no way to tell for sure what happened. I just hope no more disappear.
Gin
Atlanta, GAVery, very nice. The Krueger always seemed like a last resort option to me for the reasons you cited.
Gin
Atlanta, GAI don’t see any reason to think they have abandoned this nest. They are probably just taking a tiny break from building. No worries. If the nest looks totally complete they are off playing the mating game. In that case expect an egg soon.
Gin
Atlanta, GAGreetings, Bob!
Carol’s advice is right on target. If you simply mount a box directly on a fence post you are asking for trouble. Nothing is more disturbing in the bird world than to check a box and find it has been raided.
Gin
Atlanta, GAYou could make your own plastic/cardboard reducer but adding one of those to a Gilwood kind of negates the appeal of the larger opening. It admits more light when a bird is in the entrance and I think that feature is part of the appeal for the birds.
Gin
Atlanta, GAIt’s not going to matter that you removed that lone piece. Nor is that going to stop whoever put it there. No worries.
Gin
Atlanta, GA
