First thing that comes to mind is a House wren, they can and will poke holes in other birds eggs and throw them from the nest. However they normally don't leave any left, the will poke them all and or throw them all out. Unless it got interrupted while doing so, if the Blues returned and chased it away. The Bluebird would not normally take an egg out. There are many times one egg doesn't hatch for some reason and they just leave it right there and don't ever take it out. I would keep any eye out, hopefully they don't give up on the two remaining ones but if it was a wren it will probably be back. Good luck! Donna

I doubt the egg would be any good after it is sitting in the sun that long. If it was a newly laid egg (when you found it) and the nest was placed up where the birds could have safely nested, it probably would have survived but the bird would not try to finish nesting in the nest on the ground. I would dispose of it at this point. The scent thing is an old wives tale. Birds have a very poor sense of smell and would not know that you touched the nest, however touching the egg could mean the oil from your hands would prevent it from hatching.

That's great to hear! Control the non-native EHSs and you'll get Blue Birds, or Tree Swallows, or Chickadees, or Nuthatches, or...any of the other native cavity-nesting lovelies. Did you know EUHSs are the main culprit in the near extinction of the native BBs and Purple Martins? Thanks to good "landlords," they're slowly coming back. My friend has had a pair of BBs raise three clutches a season for the past three years in her small suburban back yard in Delaware. The poor blue birds are desperate for housing. She didn't think she'd attract even one pair. I had more confidence in her birding skills and wasn't the least bit surprised at her successful fledge rates! LOL Each year she has at least two pairs of BBs and one pair of Tree Swallows. This year she also discovered nesting robins, cardinals, and house finches on her little property! She's planted the shrubs and areas these birds love. She added fresh water that's always available and she's in the bird business. I've had "fly by" attacks of bluebirds the past four springs. They zoom by my houses (set up in "perfect" BB habitat, LOL, with water, supplelmental treats, and not an EHSs in sight, and they still haven't built a nest. This year they did actually land on the box, so I'm considering that a step in the right direction. I'll keep trying; in fact DH set up another house for me in our neighbors' empty field/yard. (With their blessings, of course!) I do have nesting tree swallows and a pair of chickadees are seriously considering one of the nest boxes in the front yard.

Carolyn--glad to hear from you and yes this weather is doing a number on nests, birds and people. Guess you have heard about all the flooding in Minot. It has been so interesting driving there. I have had to go in twice a week for therapy on my back after slipping early March on ice. NOT FUN!! Anyway, I think I too have lost a nest from a Robin, but not sure it is crows or a neighbors cat. Dumb bird just would not stay on the nest and keep quiet. It is a wonder that any Robins make it. I don't have the houses out that you due, even though son in law said I could. He has been so busy with DD getting chemo treatments, his work in the city, late snows etc. Oh well, there is always next year. We just barely got the garden in. Thanks for keeping us updated. Marie from the other end of ND.