Never thinking it would happen to my Bluebirds but it did. Had a nest of 2 chicks. A rat snake breached a pole guard and netting and ate one of the chicks. The Bluebird parents were acting unusual and that's when I notice the snake tangled in the netting. Apparently on his way down he got caught. I checked the nest and there was the lone frighten little bluebird only 13 days old. His sibling gone. The parents did not want it to remain in the nest so they encouraged him out. He was able to fly only a little bit and apparently they hid him. I hope he survives. Wanted to share my first snake experience with y'all. What a year.
Brent
Rat snake...bluebirds.
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
Damn. That really sucks Brent. Sorry to hear this. I hope the chick makes it.
Rob
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Rotten man, sorry. I hope he does ok.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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William Bagwell
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:23 pm
- Location: North Central Georgia USA
- Martin Colony History: Long interested in Purple Martins, pole up 2017 retired 2024 and trying harder this year!
Sad indeed.
Apparently uncommon but adult Bluebirds can be caught away from nests. Just yesterday came home from shopping and found a large black rat snake with a Bluebird still being constricted. Near the top of a ten foot fence. (Deer - garden...) Hurriedly took a few pictures then tried to rescue the bird. Too late
Snake was not harmed though the thought crossed my mind.
What is the most active remaining Bluebird forum? Web or email, just not on Facebook. Despise Facebook for multiple reasons! Want to share the pictures for what ever good they might do.
Apparently uncommon but adult Bluebirds can be caught away from nests. Just yesterday came home from shopping and found a large black rat snake with a Bluebird still being constricted. Near the top of a ten foot fence. (Deer - garden...) Hurriedly took a few pictures then tried to rescue the bird. Too late
Snake was not harmed though the thought crossed my mind.
What is the most active remaining Bluebird forum? Web or email, just not on Facebook. Despise Facebook for multiple reasons! Want to share the pictures for what ever good they might do.
Pole up 2017, retired (and trying harder!) 2024, Purple Martins since ???
I am soooooo excited to report that the little Bluebird chick that survived the rat snake attack and was coaxed out of it's nest by it's parents at 13 days old survived. I saw her (I think it's a female.) feeding along side mom in my back yard. Unbelievable!! I thought the worst would happen. She could not fly and it rained sheets of heavy rain a couple of days after she left the nest. What a beautiful sight! Wanted to share.
Brent
Brent
Brent
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Martintown33
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue Jun 01, 2021 6:21 pm
- Location: Laplace,La
- Martin Colony History: Colony started in 1998. 2 s&k modified houses and gourd rack
Awesome news Brent…Amazing how nature finds a way!
Rob
Rob
PMCA member
Laplace, La
Laplace, La
-
C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
Good Brent, that is good news! Glad the little one made it.
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23