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It could have very well been a HOSP (from your May 25th post). They will take the babies out of the nest. But often they’ll just drop them on the ground.
Tammy
I thought I didn’t have raccoons either. Boy was I wrong! You just don’t see them because they are only there when it is dark and everyone is asleep. Pole and baffle….is my suggestion too. Otherwise your bluebirds will never make it.
Tammy
That’s crazy!! So fun. I had something similar happen with a parakeet years ago. It flew outside and was gone for a couple of days in rain and chilly temps (Florida type chilly). I was a teenager, and was calling for it one morning and it flew to a fence and it jumped on my hand and I took it in. Are you excited about keeping it if you can’t find the owner? Have you called the vets in your area?
Tammy
They will learn, Nicole. It just takes time. Sometimes a couple of weeks. Do they still perch on the old feeder? If so put a few mealworms right inside the grid or even on the lip (when you know they are around) and see if they see them while they perch on the old feeder. The other birds can snag those mealworms so it’s only when the bluebirds are around.
Tammy
This contains directions on making a baffle. http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/topic/5934/How-I-install-a-nest-box#.V1rkGvkrKUk
Tammy
Was the nest messed up at all when you saw that the eggs had disappeared? A raccoon can be up that pole in an instant. Please baffle it. Look up at the topics at the top of the page for an easy way to baffle your box.
Tammy
I doubt those eggs will be viable now. I think you should start over. It could have been a house wren or a house sparrow.
Tammy
Chrissie. Trap those little troublemakers! I’ll give you some hints for your DRST.
1. Not only put seed in the bait area but also sprinkle the landing pad and on the top where there’s a little wood and around the base of the trap. This is to get them coming to the trap area. Later maybe just sprinkle some on the landing pad and of course bait area.
2. Use white millet or a mixed seed with plenty of white millet. Here they aren’t fond of the red kind. If that doesn’t try all the other suggested bait ideas.
3. Place the trap where your birds are perching. Mine was right under a fence and then later I moved to their favorite shrub and now I have it under my feeder.
4. Once you get one, keep it alive and well by putting bird cage feeders (with hooks) in with food and water. These will serve as decoys and will draw other birds in more than the food will.
5. Get a Van Ert trap too. That’s a inbox trap and you can easily trap a HOSP that is trying to nest in your box with that trap and then transfer it to the holding area of the DRST.
6. I took HOSP far away at first but finally realized I was causing problems elsewhere and so started disposing of them. I can PM you later with an easy method using ether (starter fluid).Tammy
Yay on the TRES. I would keep getting new TRES pairs if I kept putting up boxes. I really have too many hear. I put a box up as a trap box for HOSP and a new TRES pair took it! Grrr. I have probably 8 boxes at home full of TRES eggs.
Congrats on your trapping!!
Tammy
I move the babies around with my finger if I feel it is needed. And you have plenty of time for a second nesting. I don’t know if you will but you have time.
Tammy
