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keeping bluebirds safe

14 years ago

I checked my box Monday evening and my 3 nestlings that hatched 2 days before were gone. I am assuming a snake got them since the nest was intact and the area outside the box wasn't messed up. I had it on a wooden 4x4 square pole with a plastic baffle around it. I am going to put my box on a metal pole. What kind of baffle should I use and does anyone have any tips about keeping snakes out? Also, do I throw the old nest away and will the parent birds keep nesting in my box after this has happened? Is there anything I can do to keep them in coming back to my yard?

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Comments (4)

ken3592
14 years ago
Christy, I don't have very much experience on this yet, so hopefully one of the experts on here replies :). First of all, did you have a sparrow spooker on the box? It most likely was NOT a sparrow if you did not see any blood or anything, however it is always a good idea to hang one up. Secondly, it may have been a House Wren, if your box is near woods or brush, it's a good possibility. You can try a wren guard next time for that (you may have to relocate the house a little or rotate it some). To eliminate snakes as a possibility, you should put up a large stovepipe wobbling baffle on a slick metal pole. Go to this link for better information and how-to --> http://sialis.org/baffle.htm
There are also snake traps described here that you may want to try.

Bluebirds often don't nest a second time in a box where an attack occurred. If the Bluebirds don't seem interested in the box anymore, I would take the nest out and either relocate the box or put up another box. I have had bluebirds every year at my house, and I have had several House Wren attacks, but the bluebirds seem to come back year after year. They should continue coming to your yard if you have houses available for them. Good Luck!

If you need any more information, check out this website
--> http://www.sialis.org/

Ken
donnalovesblue
14 years ago
I would remove the nest immediately, clean out the box and you could possibly get another nesting. And yes, Sialis.org will have all the info you need to help protect the blues from predators. It really is a must read. Good luck..I'm sorry about the nestlings!

Donna
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lisa11310
14 years ago
Good Job guys!!! Kristy your in good hands I ditto Donna and Ken! The only thing I would add is to save the nest in a sealed tupperware tub, it is clean and could be used as an emergency replacement nest. Or you could leave the nest and put up another (proper) nestbox, giving little missy a choice.
Lisa....not an expert but been here a LONG time! LOL
christyblack
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you all for the advice. This pair of bluebirds had a litter? of 5 earlier in a little decorative house I had hanging in a tree. They are such good parents and took wonderful care of their babies. I thought I was doing the right thing for them by putting up a "real" bluebird house on a pole a little away from trees. I have been putting out mealworms for them and I feel attached to them now. I was so sad when this happened and I just want to make things right so they will stay.

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