I just checked the nest box and counted five safe, dry and warm birds. We have had a good deal of rain for the last two days and it looks like today won't bring anything different. I've been leaving extra mealworms out for Mama and Papa because it's hard for them to find insects in this weather. They have taken advantage of my generosity. I see them stopping by throughout the day, eating a couple, taking one, digesting that on the wire near the box and then feeding the little ones.
On a disappointing note, I haven't see the Tree Swallows around the past two days. Perhaps it is the weather? I don't know enough about the species to understand what's happened. I do know that the damn House Sparrows have "reclaimed" the nest box despite nesting materials left by the swallows. I saw the swallows chase the sparrows away three days ago, so I hope that there wasn't retaliatory action taken by those awful birds. I was able to trap and kill the female yesterday and I'll be attempting to do the same with the male today, but it'll be harder because he doesn't stay in the box long enough for me to get out there and trap him.
If you're curious as to how I did my trapping/killing yesterday, read on. If you don't believe in such active controls on a non-native species which reeks havoc on the environment, stop now.
I fashioned a trap from a 15 oz can by removing the top and bottom and rubber-banding a plastic bag to one end. I snuck up on the nest while I knew the female was in it. I placed the can over the hole and shook the nest a bit. I heard her in there, but she wasn't about to come out into my trap. So, I removed the whole nest box, leaving the can over the hole and brought it inside. I placed the box in a large plastic kitchen trash bag and removed the can trap. Then I reached into the bag with a smaller plastic bag on my hand, opened the trap and grabbed the bird. I slipped her into the bag and secured it with a twist tie. I went outside and smacked it against our walnut tree. There was no blood, no trauma and it wasn't at all inhumane (or inbird, for that matter).
Like I said, I'll be attempting the same on the male. As I type, he's sitting on that nest box looking like a pest. Meanwhile, the bluebirds continue to care for their brood as do all the other species of bird who have nests somewhere nearby.
As a final note, I heard a Whip-poor-will calling last night for the first time this spring. I have a hummingbird feeder outside because they've been spied in the area, but so far no little birds. I did come across this interesting "house" for hummingbirds that looks perfect for them. Unfortunately we don't have an appropriate roof for it.
Posted by Elizabeth at April 13, 2005 12:14 PM