Another Update: Terrible Discovery

16 years ago

Just finished walking around the back yard and found a clump of blue feathers, obviously my Mama Blue. I am so very distraught and have no idea how she met her demise. The box is baffled and the nest and eggs were totally undisturbed. We do have racoons every now and then who make their way into the yard at night checking out the bird feeders, but they haven't been a problem for the past 2 years.

Will clean out the box as previously mentioned and hope the beautiful male will find a new mate quickly.

This makes me sooooooo sad!

Donna

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Comments (11)

rebecca57
16 years ago
Hi, Donna. Just a unseasoned BB friend here. I know your pain. It is almost like losing a family member! I lost a female Blue last year, too. Fortunately, the male is back with his new wife. They have 4 eggs in the box, which is baffled, sparrow spooked, and wren guarded. I am hoping for a hatching by this Thursday..
Keep us posted!
Rebecca
griffin_MD
16 years ago
Donna, I was afraid that this would be your news. It's devastating, I know. It sounds like your mama blue might have been the target of a winged predator. I see clumps of dove and robin feathers fairly often on the trails and have only seen those of a bluebird once. Made me sick. It's nature, unfortunately, and at least your mystery appears to be solved. I know that won't make you feel any better but papa is a tough guy and I'm confident he will try again. I'm thinking about you.
Kathy
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lisa11310
16 years ago
I am hurting for you , I guess it's safe to remove the nest now. I am so sorry
donnalovesblue
Original Author
16 years ago
Many thanks for your kind words. It is just so hearbreaking and so many of you have experienced the same thing. Yes Kathy, at least the mystery is solved. I didn't even notice the feathers when I checked the eggs again, then decided to take a look around the yard.

I do consider them "my" family! These wonderful creatures bring me so much joy!

Hope another nesting is in store! Love you all!

Donna
allan_2009
16 years ago
VERY sorry Donna !! Perhaps a hawk or owl in the am or pm. I know they have to feed their babies too but DAMN let them have sparrows,starlings, etc. I KNOW pop will pair up again & reward you with a new batch. DAMN nature sometimes!! Love, Al, Annapolis, Md.
kendra2003
16 years ago
I am so sorry for your loss. It is my greatest fear that something will get one of my Blues despite my work to protect them. They are just so precious, it makes it that much harder to take a loss like this. As Al said, I wish they would go after the house sparrows and starlings, and leave the Blues alone!
deedee1028
16 years ago
Donna I'm so sorry to here of your loss. Last yr. was my first yr Blue Birding and my first nesting was killed by wrens and I cried as if one of my kids....your right they bring so much joy. I had'nt seen my mama blue today so this evening I went out and raised up the wren guard still couldn't see inside to dark so I ever so gentley open the door slowly and she was in there sitting on her eggs....I was so thrilled to see she was ok. I worry even though I have the baffle, wren guard and spooker up. Like Al said hawks or owls worry me, had a hawk yesterday almost fly into my pic window. But I hope your Mr. Blue finds a new mate and you have a new nesting soon.
lcmoore99
16 years ago
Donna, I, too, know your pain. People who don't know how these birds are part of our life will say that 'this is part of nature.' To which I respond: 'it is but I don't have to like it!!'

I am so very very sorr.
Hugs, Linda...
dzyg
16 years ago
I am so sorry Donna, feather piles = hawk. We have lots of hawks around however they mostly take Robins and Mourning Doves but I always fear it could be a Bluebird. I sure hope your Dad finds a new girl.

Donna
hammom
16 years ago
I have had a hawk in my yard with feathers everywhere but I did not know they get the robins and doves. I did think a hawk got a baby robin from my yard last year. Why do they get these birds? Because they are an easy catch?? Just curious! Sorry for your loss Donna!
dzyg
16 years ago
hammom, I think hawks like the Mourning Doves because they are slow and the Robin fleglings too cause they are slow. 9 times out of 10 the feather piles we find are young Robins or Mourning Doves. Found a Grackle feather pile earlier this week. Last year I also found a Flicker feather pile later in Summer, I am sure it was a fledgling.
We have both Sharp Shinned and Coopers hawks around here.

Donna

Another Update: Terrible Discovery

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Another Update: Terrible Discovery

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