Re: [MDOsprey] Chipping sparrow ups and downs

Jack C. Leighty/Susan J. Noble (jleighty@chesapeake.net)
Thu, 15 Jul 1999 12:12:20 -0400 (EDT)


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Abbie:

Have you seen the bluebird house design that models from a hollow
branch?  Its log, low and has a partial baffle near the rear behind
which nests are build.  Most predators can't get to eggs or very
young birds.

Jack Leighty
Huntingtown
>From: Dovekie7@aol.com
>Date: 7/15/99  11:01:06AM
>To: mdosprey@ARI.Net
>Subject: Re: [MDOsprey] Chipping sparrow ups and downs
>
>[I went and checked the nest and found two
>near-fledging chicks dead. The closest one had a large hole pecked
>in
>the side of it's head.]
>
>
>Hello Bonnie,
>It is extremely disheartening when eggs or young are damaged.
>Bluebirds and 
>Wrens have nested on my property in boxes for over 10 years. I have
>observed 
>the destruction of eggs and young by House Sparrows. House Sparrows
>attack by
>getting on the back of adult and young and peck and rip at the
>head. Eggs 
>have been damaged by House Sparrows and House and Carolina Wrens. 
>Right now, I am trying to protect the second nesting of Bluebirds.
>The first 
>batch of 5 eggs were all destroyed by House Sparrows. The second
>nesting 
>produced only 3 eggs which are now hatched.
>It is not unusual for the second attempt of nesting by Bluebirds to
>have less 
>eggs.
>The young Bluebirds will be banded this year and I will be able to
>see if the 
>young return here to nest next year.
>
>Abbie/Bowie
>
>