skip to main content

80 mph winds damaged nest box, nest & eggs - birds okay

katiedidcottage

14 years ago

Does anyone have any experience with this type or a similar type of situation? I have checked on the Sialas website and searched the internet and have found nothing similar.

Yesterday afternoon we had a very bad but very fast "thunderstorm" with at least 80 mph winds. We had a couple of trees snapped and general damage to our yard and a lot of damage and trees down all over our area. The nest box on the front of my yard was okay, but the side one was twisted on the pole and faced upside down - there was a definite downdraft that occurred at this place because of damage to plants nearby. I straightened up the birdhouse and looked inside and there were only 2 of the 4 eggs inside. One of these 2 eggs had a small 1/4" indentation but did not look like the membrane was damaged. Later on, the damaged egg was removed by the bluebirds. I didn't see any eggs around on the ground at that time, but later on when we moved and straightened up some of the pine straw we use for mulch, I found one intact egg with sticky egg all on its shell and another broken and empty shell. I immediately put the damaged egg back into the nest very gently but it had been several hours since it had been knocked out by the blowing wind. These bluebirds seem to have taken back to their nesting care, but I have my doubts that either of the eggs will ever hatch because of being bounced around so much. By the way, the 1st egg was laid on June 12 and the last egg was laid on June 15, so it hasn't been long for incubation. I'm estimating incubation started on June 15.

Please let me know if you have heard of eggs being bounced around and still being viable.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

katiedidcottage
Original Author
14 years ago
I have not seen the bluebirds back at the nest again today. I believe it has been abandoned, and I don't blame them for that. I will leave the eggs in the nest until I see if they come back till past time for the eggs to hatch.
bandjzmom
14 years ago
Awwww..so sorry to hear of this. That storm came through my yard too, and took one of my Bradford Pears down. It landed across my driveway, and luckily did not hit the house or our basketball goal. Gosh, it came through really fast. If you are not seeing them back at the house at all, then they have abandoned the nest. You don't need to wait the 2 weeks to remove the nest. Give it a few days, and when you are sure that they have abandoned, go ahead and remove the nest. Maybe they will build there again. There is still plenty of time.~~Angie
Related Discussions
Eggs of BB Nest Destroyed 2nd Time
Q
Comments (12)
Sounds like you really have some challenges. You have my sympathies! A tiny poked hole is more likely a house wren's thin sharp beak, sometimes taking them some distance away, or simply tossing them out. The house sparrow will toss the eggs out, but their finch-like beak would not as likely make a tiny poke hole. And the HOSP is more likely to stick around, harass, or even take over the cavity. "Do BB's destroy their own eggs" ... No "the nest possibly could have been flooded?" ... are there leaks that could be fixed? "Are the HOSP really sneaky" ... yes, but HOWR are sneakier ... "and resistant to the Sparrow Spooker?" ... yes, and house wrens will not be deterred by a sparrow spooker. House Wrens are even sneakier, faster and silent, leaving no evidence behind, only destroying eggs or young. You might hear them singing, but might never, ever see them! There are some links to sound files of house wren song and chatter on Bet's web pages, so you can learn to hear the unwelcome sounds of house wrens. Visit Bet's web page for more info. And by the way, the Carolina Wren is a very different bird, welcome almost anywhere; not a threat to other birds. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/index.html
...See More
Fierce winds caused rain soaked nest with two eggs
Q
Comments (9)
No good news to report. One of the three eggs had a tiny hole in it :(. I used a pancake turner and carefully removed the nest. Tossed the damaged egg and checked the inside of the box...no ants or wasps. I replaced the nest. I have seen both of the parent birds at the feeder, but never saw either of them enter the box. Will they return to the remainiing eggs after one of them has been 'killed'? Right now we have purple martins everywhere...eight pair have fledged young. Will they affect the nesting of the blues? Nest box is about 60-70' across from one another.
...See More
How to Stop Birds From Building Mud Nests on My Front Porch
Q
Comments (110)
Robins are birds that I enjoy viewing, but not as they try to build nests under our porch lights which are on both sides of an area right by our front entrance door. For three days my husband has removed the straw, twigs, etc in order to prevent a completed robin's nest. They put the straw, twigs, etc. up, he takes them down immediately. Today after reading these posts, I sprayed the area with ant and roach spray that I use when the ants try to visit too close to our outside walkway. Two robins just came with straw in their mouths, but they flew away. I hope this is a long-term solution. This is the first time that we have had this problem in the nineteen years that we have lived here. I am already tired of the mess on our porch and the potential health hazard presented if the robins succeed in building a permanent nest. We have plenty of trees that the birds usually choose for their nests and are still quite welcome to do so. However, why our porch this year is a puzzle. Thanks to all who have posted for their solutions. To the haters, because one does not want a bird's nest in an area that he/she frequently uses in his/her home, does not label the person as an animal hater. Why should my quality of life be compromised daily upon trying to enter my home for the sake of a bird's nest? The answer is that it shouldn't and will not. We will win this fight and reclaim our safety and keep our good health.
...See More
Need Advice on Nesting Birds
Q
Comments (38)
I'm still trying to get an answer as to why "non-native" birds are "trash", while humans get a free pass. Would anyone like to answer? As far as feeders go, the most signifant reason people have feeders in their yards, birders or non-birders, is for their own entertainment. I could care less how many different types of birds people "get to see" in their yards! Animals do not exist on this earth for the purpose of human entertainment. They are here for their own reasons. As far as rehabbing indivisual birds goes, I have rehabbed several birds who flew into my window and were knocked unconcsious. I do it to help out an animal that needs medical care, which I would do for any aniaml or person I saw injured, not because I want to preserve the existance of some taxonomical abstraction. Sorry but your words sound very callous and cold-hearted. You may not be specifically saying you want Starlings torutured, but your attitude towards them is what has spurned the latest craze I see in the conservation movement, which is this focus on the blaming and killing of other animals in the name of saving "native species" rather than habitiat preservation and drastically reduced consumption of resources. I don't believe it's the place of humans, the most non-native and destructive of them all, to determine which animals live and which ones die, while we do everything to ensure the life of every human is as long and pain-free as possible. It's just plain hypocritical and unethical.
...See More
katiedidcottage
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you, Angie. It makes me so sad. :(

There is a lot of activity and excitement at the other nest and it will be 13 days from hatching by Wednesday of this week so I expect them to fledge by Saturday. It is such a happy time for the baby bluebirds coming into the world.

Related Stories

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Bring on the Birds: Natural Habitat Ideas for Gardens of All Sizes

Provide nesting, watering and perching spots inspired by the Costa Rican jungle and watch the birds flock on over

GARDENING GUIDES Backyard Birds: How to Care for American Goldfinches

By Habitat Network

The American goldfinch is a bright-in-the-summer visitor and one of the only vegetarian songbirds. Here's how to give them a healthy habitat

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Garden for Wildlife to Reap Rich Rewards

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When you plant with animals and insects in mind, you make gardening easier, the planet healthier and yourself more present

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Northeast Gardener's April Checklist

By Paintbox Garden

Revel in the wonders of spring by babying bulbs, sprinkling seeds for root crops and setting out some nibbles for the birds

HOLIDAYS Christmas Cleanup Tips for the Not Naturally Organized

By Alison Hodgson

Dreading the postholiday chores? First let yourself unwind. Then grab some boxes, a few supplies and this easy guide

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Under a Metal Canopy in Texas

By Becky Harris

New technology, reclaimed materials and an enormous protective roof combine in this Hawkins home for irresistible modern rustic charm

HOME TECH The Inevitable Future of Drones Around Your Home

By Mitchell Parker

As Google joins the push for airborne deliveries, it seems only a matter of time before neighborhoods are buzzing with drones. Is that OK?

DECORATING GUIDES A Subliminal Approach to Fall Decorating

By Tiffany Carboni

Get your home in the autumn groove without going over the top, with decorating ideas from two top San Francisco designers

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

Sponsored

19 Reviews

Experienced Full Service Landscape Design Firm Serving Loudoun County