Unwanted guest in Bluebird nest box
Some times we have to deal with unwanted pests that find our nest boxes too irresistible.
We are curious if you ever had a pest or predator issue you wanted to share with others on the website? Post in the comments below or contact us.
Recently past MBTCS President Ken Moore brought to our attention a memory of a photo and story from Jim Leitch, current MBTCS President, that was shared back in 2016:
“Hi All, I felt I needed to share this as it is a first for me. This little fellow scared the day lights out of me when I first took the lid off.
He is, I believe a "least weasel" not more than 8-10 inches long, and small enough to get into a box; cute, but very feisty and a veracious killer.
He had taken up residence in one of my boxes on the coulee ridge that had been, past tense, occupied by a tree swallow and her eggs. He of course had already dined on those eggs and the mother too perhaps. He would not leave the box even after much coaxing.
This was the second surprise of the day, as earlier I had opened a box a kilometre away from the weasel, down by the river only to find the mother dead and eaten, all except her beautiful wings spread out laying over her 5 now sterile eggs. I couldn't figure out at the time what possibly could have gotten in to kill and eat her, but I think I have a credible theory now.
I just hope this smallest of carnivores doesn't systematically eliminate all the birds box by box.
Thanks
Jim”
That same year, board member Joe Michielsen shared a sighting from his trail - a bull snake! These snakes are known to enjoy bluebirds, they can easily climb and predate nests.
In 2017, MBTCS Trail Master Steven Shumborski shared this story:
“I had a bear take down a few boxes at Twin Butte and found a snake in the box that was laying on the ground. Nice little creature that went on its way into the grasses.
Cheers,
Steven”
Share your nest box predators and pests in the comments below and share photos with us for our next feature on common bluebird nest box pests and predators. Thanks in advance to everyone that shares!