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I did not have a spooker. Kicking myself now. But this trail has been sparrow free for the most part for a couple years. The swallows are everywhere and seem to help keep the sparrows away in swarms. In fact as I was approaching the bluebird box from a distance I could see swallows swarming the box…while the sparrow was in there. No excuse though. I should have used fishing line or something.
So yesterday I put the two babies back in the box just in case by some miracle the mom could bring one back…they were not completely dead. Tonight I went back to collect the bodies and to my shock, there was only one bird in there. The one that was in worse shape was still there but the other gone. Is it at all possible the mother worked some magic? Is it possible a baby could have been revived? I am so confused.
So sorry to report that I checked the box today…as aI approached a sparrow was coming out of the box. When I opened the box I was horrified to find one baby killed and two others barely alive. They didn’t look obviously attacked so not sure what happened. They were still warm but couldn’t move. Very slow blink once in a while. I comforted the two for a bit and sadly placed them back. I am defeated. One of the brood made it out I think and the mom was around. Hopefully taking care of the survivor. I cannot hate sparrows enough. I had not even seen one on this trail all year. Sickening.
Lantern flies have infested the northeast in the last couple of years. They are an invasive Chinese bug that is killing trees everywhere. Nothing seems to eat them either.
The HOSPs have been worst than ever this year. Usually they move on by now. I cannot get rid of them. I trapped a couple and somehow they got out before I could dispose of them. Very distressing. And neighbors all over our neighborhood just breed them like crazy. Sickening. I almost wish you needed a license. Everyone seems to understand the lantern fly needs to be destroyed so why do birdhouse manufacturers not educate their customers on this epidemic. My 10 year old daughter could never understand why I hate house sparrows so much…i tried to explain it by explaining invasive species… and suddenly it clicked …”ohhhhhhh theyre like lanterflies!” She got it.
Yes. Terrible spring this year in SE PA! First time in 4 years no tree swallows nesting in my yard. We had a freeze in early May. Hoping for something other than increased numbers of house sparrows. Maybe June will bring luck :(
Just closing the loop on this. The pair obviously moved on. Last sighting was July 6. I guess I blew my chance somehow. Oh eell. Hopefully next year. Should I try to put mealworms out…is there a chance they’ll come by in the late summer or fall?
I lost my baby swallows this spring. No idea what did it. No real nest disturbance and missing mom and dad. I gueas I’ll never know. First I thoight snake, then maybe wren or HOSP, but the HOSP generally stay off of my property after many years of trapping and bb gunning.
Ok I changed them to southeast. We’ll see what happens. My front lawn doesn’t get a lot of early morning sun either way.
Came and went again this morning. Stupid starling chase hime off my box. Infuriating! I shoild never have put mealworms out. Just attracts starlings. Anyone ever try retrofitting an old bliebird box intoa mealworms feeder? I was thinking of trying that so the starlings can’t get them, but probably needs a transparent top right?
I guess they could be but they seemed pretty excited a few days ago. There is a golf coirse a half block away so I suppose they may have finally put up bluebird boxes there. Selfishly hoping not…
Rich, this is so great! It’s been my mission as well to bring bluebirds back to my neighborhood, though it has probably been a lot longer of a drought! This is an old suburb. I have been successful bringing them back to the park nearby, and the next steo.is to draw them into our neighborhood. This isnthe first year I have them at least hunting and appearing in my neighborhood, so we’re on the right track. You’re story is so encouraging to me. Gid bless!
