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Question
I have had wonderful results with my bluebird houses in past years but this year I don't know what has happened. A month ago I saw the female and male build a nest and stay. Then after a week I noticed no action so I opened the box and saw 5 blue eggs cracked open but nothing inside. They were totally clean as if there was never an egg inside. I cleaned out the nest and within 2 weeks another female and male came, built a nest and stayed. Again, I noticed they were not returning and when I looked there was one egg with the same results, cracked open with not so much as a speck inside the egg. I again cleaned out the box. Can you tell me what happened?
Some predator broke the shells and licked the contents clean. I have not had this happen in thousands of nestings, but predators are different everywhere. Do you gave the Southern Red Squirrel? Send your mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you my free 20 page Bluebird book.
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Answers by Expert:
Bluebird Bob Walshaw
Expertise
I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.
Experience
I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.
Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance
Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World
Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.
Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.
Past/Present Clients
Many
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