Mother Goose pulled all the eggs out of her nest so I assumed it was time to remove them. I didn't have the heart to break them because I would be distressed if they had just not made it to the end. But she has one healthy little gosling to look after. I let her out with her baby but the ganders immediately attacked it. I thought Father Goose was supposed to be protective. I plan to banish them to the barnyard until Baby Goose is big enough to deal with them. Isn't that unusal for that to happen?

I think if she is already building a new nest I would leave the old nest be. How deep is the nestbox from the hole to the floor? Hopefully the new nest doesn't get too close to that hole. Also make sure your pole is baffled to keep away climbing predators.

I've been consumed w/ getting ready for new carpet (done yesterday!) and am now back. My cleaned-out box is still open until I can safeguard it. Dzyg, I hear what you're saying about the racoons. I had lots when I lived on Cape Cod and in CO; but I'm out a lot at night here and I've never seen a single one - which has surprised me. Also, I went back and looked at the nest and realized it *is* somewhat flattened; what's deceiving is that the egg has gotten pushed down under part of the nesting material which makes it appear deep. Lisa 11310, I did monitor the previous nest. I was initially checking it every 2-3 days, but then I read somewhere that you should only do it once weekly. I didn't check it after day 12 b/c of the danger of causing the chicks to fledge prematurely. Then I waited 9 more days b/c sialis says it can take up to 21 days. Should I have done differently? I've read and studied the info on sialis re predator guards, trying to decide my best course of action. Altho the tack strips would probably work, I agree w/ the person who said they're inhumane. I'd really like to keep the wooden posts if possible; it says the stovepipe baffle works on them. I can get 10" x 2' ducting, is there any reason that wouldn't be effective? Does it make a difference whether what's above the baffle is a wooden post or a metal pole or conduit? I know squirrels can jump quite a distance; could they jump over / around the baffle to the box which is mounted so the entrance hole is at 5'? I've checked the open box for ants and haven't seen any more since putting the vaseline on the post.

Baby is now 15 days old. Parents continue to feed. The last two mornings strange activity. The parents showed up for morning mealworms. I looked out and see 3-4 juveniles. At least I think they are. They are light brown with bright blue edgings sling their wings. They have spotted streaked breasts with hints of color. I thin they are the hatchlings from the first brood raised away from here. The parents spend time shooing them away from the box. They sit along the fence jostling each other for a better vantage spot. These juvis keep trying to enter the box but mom and dad are having no part of it.