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I Thought It Was Over!

17 years ago

I can't believe it. Our BB eggs were days from hatching, and today they were destroyed. We had a wren guard AND a sparrow spooker on the box and they were getting in and out just fine. For an entire week, I didn't see any wrens or sparrows near the house. Then today, as I went out to check on the eggs, I saw them on the ground, each one split in half. I could see that they were close to hatching.

I could not believe it, I thought that the BBs were safe this year, as it was the first time we put both a sparrow spooker and a wren guard on their house. Each year their eggs have been destroyed, and I thought this year would be the exception. I don't know what to do now, the Blues are still going in and out of the house, I think she might be laying more eggs, but I know that whatever destroyed the eggs will do it again, and I'm hopeless. We had just taken down a house that contained a sparrow's nest because we hadn't seen them around it, so I am wondering if the sparrows went on a rampage.

Is there anything I can do to stop this from happening again?

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Comments (5)

kendra2003
17 years ago
I am so sorry for what you're going through. How awful to have this happen to you again. I think you are correct that it was probably HOSPs because the HOWR tend to poke holes in the eggs or toss them. Also wrens usually leave evidence such as putting sticks in the box. If it were me, I would put back that house for the HOSPs and let them claim it. Then put in a trap and dispose of the HOSP. I fear that if you do not eliminate the House Sparrows then this could happen again.
ken3592
Original Author
17 years ago
The eggs actually were tossed out, and I had a sparrow spooker up, so I am starting to think it was a HOWR because it happened so fast and I didn't see any bird out there today other than the Blues. HOWRs usually go in very quick and sneaky, and then disappear. I just don't know why the guard and the spooker aren't working. Would a pair of Blues ever dispose of their own eggs under any circumstances; infestations or anything? Should I relocate the house?
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bigmatt
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It sounds like a HOWR to me also ,Your not the only one,I lost 4 CACH eggs Thursday to a HOWR,Now there are 2 fighting over the box.I would leave the box as is,I would also put another box,maybe it will keep him busy for a while,your blues may have a chance to get started.From what I understand,once the HOWR get going with there nest ,they settle down.I really don't have any other suggestions.I do know if you remove your boxes for a week or so,the HOWR should move on,but that is not going to help your blues much,because they may move on too.It is a tough one.Is it possible to place a second box in a more open area?
ken3592
Original Author
17 years ago
All of our boxes are in pretty open areas, in an attempt to deter the HOWRs. Now that the bird has gotten past the wren guard and the spooker, It will probably continue to attack, which is why I am considering relocating the house a bit. I haven't seen any wrens or sparrows out there, so I really don't know what the problem is... territorial issues I guess.
tmann05
17 years ago
Buy a repeating HOSP trap and get to work ASAP. I've had mine for a few years and it has really helped keep them away for the most part. I also have an in-box gilbertson trap I use when they do try to claim a box. Caught one today actually. Dumped her in the repeating trap along with another female and 2 males. I feed them twice a day and provide water for them to keep them alive as long as possible. My mom hates that I do that but its keeping my EABL and TRES safe so I am happy. I have 5 gilbertson boxes spaced out around the property, so they get used, just not all at the same time.

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