Eggs missing

[Trishy]

I did a nest check yesterday, and I have eggs from 3 gourds missing. There was 5 eggs in one, 3 eggs in another, and 2 eggs gone from another gourd. Two gourds on one rack, and a gourd from a different rack. No eggs found on the ground otherwise I would think it was sy’s. I have predator guards on all racks. To my knowledge we have no snakes in northern Wisconsin that would climb poles and get into gourds do we? I am pretty frustrated about this, and don’t know what to do about it.

[Barry Wallace]

My money would still be on a second year male. Here they usually fly some distance from the houses before dropping eggs or newly hatched young. Even with the extra cavities all it takes is one frustrated second year male to cause a lot of damage. Their really isn't much you can do about it. Climbing snakes in this part of Wisconsin aren't an issue.

[Trishy]

Thank you Barry. I appreciate your response.