lost all my chicadees to a cat or wren!!

18 years ago

Yep I found where they were nesting in a hole in one of my pear trees. I saw them go in and out a few times but couldn't tell if there were eggs or babies b/c I couldn't see in there even with a mirror and a flashlight. If I had known there were no eggs or babies I would have blocked up this hole but I couldn't tell for sure. I was very worried because although they were kind of protected and hidden between the two trees they were so low to the ground. I watched it for a couple days and determined that she was either incubating or had babies already. You know how sneaky Dees can be. I thought about putting a noel guard on for cats coons etc. but thought it might draw more attention from wrens to their nest being there and since there have been so many wrens destroying nests and babies this year I thought it best to leave it be. I checked Friday morning around 11 a.m. only to find nesting material hanging out from the hole and much to my horror Mama and six babies lying on the ground right at the trunk of the tree. She was missing a few feathers from her back and had either a peck or a claw puncture and two of the babies looked the same. The other four looked fine. Now we know it wasn't a coon. I'm leaning toward the neighbors cat for a few reasons but it could have been wrens too as the neighbors next door and two doors down both have wren boxes. GRRRRRR I'm still just sick about it as I lost a dee to hosps in one of my boxes very early in the spring. Now I have one Papa Dee flying around stopping at the feeders with no de de deeing at all. He still comes and eats but is very silent. It's a lot less bright and cheery around here to say the least!!!!

Cathy

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Comments (5)

crcst
18 years ago
Cathy,I am so sorry to hear of uour loss.I've been there,it almost sounds like a wren to me,because I think if it was a cat,you would not see the evidence left there.Wrens are relentless and nasty and thats why I say I will never let them nest in my boxes .It's hard or impossible to control what your neighbors do and even more difficult when the dees were in a tree.Don't be too hard on yourself.We all try so hard to protect our birds,but sometimes we just can't do it.I feel your pain and wish I could say something to help.Just keep doing your best,our birds really need us....Jane
fairychick
18 years ago
I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to find an adult bird dead. Once in a while I find feathers on the ground, usually from Doves. I know I'd be devastated to find babies.

Special fairydust for you. Perhaps it can help protect other little creatures. Just remember, if it was a cat, it's not to blame. The people who "own" it are.

tara
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lcmoore99
18 years ago
Cathy,

I am soooo sorry about this.

It must be horrible to find such destruction. Makes my heart sick for them, for the male, and of course for you.

I'm also thinking that if it had been a cat that it might have carried the birds away as they often do.

Again, so very sorry, Blessings, Linda...
dzyg
18 years ago
Cathy I am so sorry to hear about your Dees! I would be heartbroken too to loose them like that. We were excited when we had Dees nestbuilding and very dissappointed when they were run off but it is better than what you are going through. Hosting birds is so very nerve wracking, sad at times and so much joy at times too. I am playing the wren game here, they are now nest building it two different houses. I keep emptying sticks, they keep adding them. Luckily I guess we only have TRES nesting now in the seven other boxes and still one empty box as I guess they are better prepared for the wrens than the other birds are. They worry me sometimes though when it gets cooler like this weekend did, only the two incubating were anywhere to be seen, the other birds were missing in action, checked the nests yesterday afternoon and two other pairs have eggs (3 each) the eggs were ok but I know it doesn't take those wrens long to do their dirty work.

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bigmatt
18 years ago
Cathy,

I lost 4 (maybe more by now!)CACH nestlings,6 TUTI eggs on one of my trails this year so far.These wrens are causing alot of trouble on this trail this year.I am afraid I will loose a nest of EABL soon ,they will be nesting for a second time soon.Pappa Blue Knows they are around ,I have seen him chasing him a few times.I hope they wait until a family of CACH fledge soon,Then they can build in this box(the blues used this box last year for their second brood)This box is in a much safer location,well away from the Wrens area.Until then I will contiue to remove STICKS!NO WREN IS NESTING ON MY TRAIL!Some boxes will be relocated for next year that is for sure.

lost all my chicadees to a cat or wren!!

Comments (5)

crcst

fairychick

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lcmoore99

dzyg

bigmatt

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