I give up!

17 years ago

I dont know what to do anymore about trying to have bluebirds. IM not going to do anything until I do more reading on the Sialis website. If anyone read my last post about my 5 baby's missing and not knowing what happened to them, well now Mom and Dad blue are gone!

I had to move the feeder from where it was next to the nest box that the blues had their baby's in because Robins would not stop eating all the worms and bullying the blues when they fed, but the only one I saw when I moved it was Dad blue so I did not think it was a problem. I thought maybe some baby's made it because of Mom and Dad's behavior when they came to the feeder, then Mom went missing and all I saw was Dad blue, now nothing!! and all that is eating the meal worms is the PITA robins. I know I need to do a lot more to protect the blues but I really thought they were okay this year,no wrens or sparrows bothering them, just them robins, but obviously something got the baby's and now Mom and Dad I think?

Do I give up or just do a lot more to protect them? IM going to put the nest boxes on electric conduit and also put them up higher, what kind of gaurds are best to put on the nest box and feeder? just asking so I can get an idea of what works best. Thanks for everyones support, IM so depressed that they are gone, they make me so happy when I can go down and see and feed them before and after work, now I have no blues. =(

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Comments (7)

ken3592
17 years ago
I'm so sorry for you loss, bluesoblue. It still isn't too late to give up on them for this year. Make sure you do put your boxes on electric conduit, however you don't necessarily need to hang them higher; I'd stay within 5-10 feet. If predators such as snakes, raccoons, etc are common around you (or even if they aren't), be sure to put up a predator baffle on the pole (the wobbling design)
--> http://sialis.org/baffle.htm

About the feeder: you could try investing in a jailhouse mealworm feeder, which is designed to keep bigger birds such as robins, mocking birds, and starlings out, while allowing bluebirds to get inside the feeder. There are also wooden and glass designs that have holes on either end for blues to enter and exit.
-->http://sialis.org/feeder.htm

If the house that was attacked is the only house you have, I would relocate it some (clean it too), because bluebirds often don't return to an attacked nesting site.

Of course if you suspect sparrows or wrens, you can try a sparrow spooker and/or a wren guard. Best of luck.
lisa11310
17 years ago
It is common for the parents to take the babies off for 2 to 3 weeks once they are able to get from tree top to tree top. They teach them how to hunt for bugs. You may not have an ideal spot for this. If you sit quietly and listen(when the cars are not going by) you may find that they are closer than you think. Much of bird "watching" is done by ear.
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dodgerblue
17 years ago
I can tell you this...Trying to figure out what these Blue Birds are doing will drive you bonkers....Try to relax and enjoy them, of course after doing everything you possibly can to protect the nest box.
rxblue
17 years ago
What ever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP. All of your cavity nesters need you. We all have had our set backs. But keep trying. Continue to learn from everyone on this forum, at sialis.org, and other bluebird websites. None of my years at this have been a 100% success. This is my 3rd year and it is the best yet. I have fledged over 75 bluebirds so far, and have a bunch of eggs already on a second nesting. But, even this year has not been a 100% success. I have had set backs already. I have lost one adult female and 4 babies. You will learn from your mistakes, and in years to come, you will have more bluebirds than you can imagine. Keep at it. Good luck, and don't give up.

Phil
mulchmamma
17 years ago
If you give up, the Blues will be forced to find housing somewhere else. Everyone has made mistakes and felt terrible for them but you have to learn and move on.
Your mistakes will evolve into successes but if the Blues don't have you how can they benefit??

It's sad/terrible to suffer losses but when you see papa Blue call out his babes to fledge, it's a WONDERFUL feeling and YOU can take alot of the credit for it happening.

Linda
bluesoblue
Original Author
17 years ago
I thought we had ideal conditions for blue birds. We live on a dead end road that abutts a mountain range, we have a stream in the back yard that runs year round, big tall trees everywhere, our yard is huge and so are our neighbors and next to our property is a big huge field with apple trees. This is what baffles me why I cannot seem to keep blue birds around. We have orioles, hummingbirds, everything. I will not give up but right now IM on hold because I need to do more to protect them. maybe a pair will come around before summer is over to use one of our five nest boxes. I want to thank everyone for your responses. I know I can come to this forum and find a lot of people with a lot of smarts about blue birds, so therefore I shall not give up. I will continue to ask more questions here until I know how to protect the blues the way they deserve to be protected. Thanks again.

Gina
dmarieok
17 years ago
Gina...I am trying to understand....did the babies' disappear AFTER successfully fledging or did your babies disappear too early from the nest? If it is AFTER, I agree with Lisa...it is not unusual to not see any Blues during that first week or two, even three after those little guys fledge until she is ready to nest again...Now if you feed mealworms, you are more likely to see the parents as they will continue to visit the feeder while having the fledglings tucked away safe while they are teaching them "the ways of the world"....

Don't despair just yet! But definitely make sure box is poled and baffled and read the Sialis site! Odds are in your favor that in a week or so you may see them back!

Good luck!

Diane

I give up!

Comments (7)

ken3592

lisa11310

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I give up!

Comments (7)

ken3592

lisa11310

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