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Do TRES tolerate nest checks

18 years ago

I have two boxes with Tree Swallows. One box is suited for me to check frequently, while the other is not. I think that the one that I check weekly has 4 abandoned eggs. The other box that I don't get to check but about every 3 weeks still has both parents coming and going. Do TRES tolerate nest checks? Did I cause the eggs to be abandoned by checking?

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Comments (4)

bbcathy
18 years ago
No You did NOT cause them to abandon the nest. Look for bees or wasps in the box as that might be the cause or something could have happened to one of the parents. Don't remove the nest unless you are sure that they have abandoned it. My Tres all tolerate monitoring. No birds like it but Tres and Blues tolerate it VERY well.
Cathy
bet_from_ct
18 years ago
Absolutely. They may divebomb you but don't connect. Some TRES are so brave they dont' even budge when you open the box (when that happens, I leave them be.)
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Donna I'm not exactly sure but Bluebars says that she has seen Blues fit through a 1 1/4" hole so I'm sure Tres "could" do itas I think they are smaller. I had boxes out for years made with 1 1/8" hole b/c that is what it said on the DNR site and neither the Dees or the Wrens would nest in them until I enlarged them. Even then I made it between 1 1/4 and 1 1/8. These are just my experiences so remember the birds don't read the books.
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Well I guess I will answer my own question since I got no replies to this one. The TRES are gone from this box and so are the Dees. The Dees have however moved to another box and started building a nest. Donna
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Either last year or the year before I had a Bluebird and a wren trying to build a nest in the same box. First the wren and I removed the sticks, then a Bluebird started her second nesting and the wren added sticks on the layer of grass, which I again took out. I did this for a few days when finally the wren must have given up cause the Bluebird went on to finish her nest, lay the eggs and all the eggs hatched and fledged. This box was at a park near our home so I couldn't add a wren guard as I couldn't watch to make sure it was accepted. I worried all the time about them but apparently the wren must have given up. This year the BLues down there fledged their first nesting about two weeks ago. I keep checking for the next nest but so far nothing. The daddy Blue is always there when I check the nestbox though so I know they are planning another nesting only thing is I hear a wren right in the area too singing away so I am afraid he wants that box too but so far no sticks in there. Good luck, hope your wren stays away from the box now. Donna
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dapjwy
18 years ago
This is my first year trying to attract bluebirds. While I did see them in the spring, they never did end up nesting here. Instead, I have a pair of chickadees in one, and tree sparrows in the other. I'm still thrilled.

I didn't know when the tree sparrows had hatched and didn't want to open the box at the wrong time in case I scare them into fledging too early.

I see both parents going in and out. When I walk near by one of them sticks its head out to watch me. I just keep walking and watch them from a distance.

I'm hoping to put up another box so, I may still get some bluebirds...if not, there is always next year.

David
dzyg
18 years ago
I have eight TRES nestings that I check about every three days or so. Once in awhile they stay on the nest and just look at me, most of the time I get divebomed, actually I get mobbed as TRES from nearby nestboxes join in the divebombing. They tolerate monitoring very well. Sometimes they come and divebomb me when I am not even near their nest just out in the yard. I think they know that is that crazy thing that looks at their nests. LOL!!

Donna

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