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are all your Michigan TRES already nesting?

15 years ago

I am so afraid the HOSP problem drove my TRES away. I saw them 3 days ago checking out a box but I have not seen them since. I had to open a box they had chosen because the HOSP were trying to take over. There were 2 other boxes for them if they wanted. Is there still time or is it too late. At least they didn't end up dead. I will miss them this year.

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Comments (5)

luvtheblues
15 years ago
I live in Northern VA and have TRES for the first time this year. I actually have seen up to 6 TRES at a time checking out my boxes. I think I have a pair interested as they sit on the box and go in and out but no nest or anything. In fact, whenever we have a cold or rainy day (like today in the 50's and rain) they seem to disappear. As soon as we have a nice day, they come back. I don't know specifically about Michigan, but here in VA, nothing yet.
I also have HOSP and they visit my yard frequently. I am currently trapping with an Inbox trap and have gotten 1 so far. I am ready for any more that may come. I am hoping to get a bunch so they can't harass my cavity nesters.
Good luck with your TRES!
Alison
Leesburg, VA
bbcathy
15 years ago
Lisa I've had the Tres drive me absolutely NUTS not building nests. Last year I cut a bunch of ornamental grass and put it near the box or I swear they never would have finished it. I have had them not have eggs until late May but someone else on the bird site(cheesbob)I think has not had a nest until June. I don't have any here for the first time in years. They are all down the street at my trail 1/2 mile up the road. I miss them something awful. I just love the way they talk!
Cathy
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Our weather has turned around, not normal temps yet but in the 60's so I believe those that were still alive yesterday will all make it. Glad you were able to assist yours Lisa, with only one parent it would make it alot harder. I really think in the case here that it was more the cold that killed them (highs 47-50...lows 30's-low 40's) then the starvation but it could have been a combination. I only say this because we didn't have a total loss. The ones that survived this 3 day cold wet spell were either the ones that were fully feathered (1 box) or those that were still being kept warm by the mom (4 boxes). Those that were inbetween (3 boxes)...too big to be sat on by mom and yet didn't have all their feathers yet were the ones that died. Maybe feeding them would have helped but with eight nestboxes of Swallows I wouldn't have known who needed help and who I might have put at a greater risk by opening the nestboxes, Sunday was the only non rainy day however it was misty and very very windy. However like all things this gives us better knowledge so if something like this were to happen again I could know who to try to help. What did you use for a nestchange, did you buy something at the store? Just curious there would have been nothing here dry enough to use anyway but when I did pull the three nests out of the boxes that we lost there was only one that was wet, the other two were dry. Also what other instructions were you given, you said you followed them to a T but didn't explain them all. Did you use small waxworms, what did you use to give the worms to the swallows? How on earth did you open the box, hold an umbrella, feed the babies and be able to see what the heck you were doing at the same time? Usually I check the swallows nests with a mirror however yesterday when I was checking for the ones we lost I used a small step ladder to make sure I wouldn't miss anything. It sure must have been quite the task to feed your swallows but I commend you for trying to help them. Great job, I hope yours make it. Is the weather better there yet?? Donna
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lisa11310
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks! Our flying insects are not yet out in full force. Maybe there is still time. I had some Dees checking out a box today....hope they will decide on a box this year. I had had them 3 years in a box but the last two they chose natural cavities. There is no lack of natural cavities around here but I don't get to "help" then!
dzyg
15 years ago
Gosh I wish I could pack some of mine up and send them to you! Here in Central WI the TRES are building nests like crazy taking up every available nestbox. I plugged some boxes up as I don't want them all taken over by the TRES, they already have six with nests in! I have Gilwood boxes and one of them that I plugged with a cork the TRES would still take grasses and stick them through the top slot! It can't get in there but it was still dumping grass inside. I had Blues checking out housing a couple weeks back but the TRES chased them away. Right now I have chickadees house hunting too, I sure hope the TRES don't chase them away too.

Donna
lisa11310
Original Author
15 years ago
wow 3 pair out there house hunting this morning! On pair has definatly bonded to a box and have started building! YEA! There are 2 more boxes so maybe I will get a second pair....no Dee nest this year :(

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