Birdhouse down

[rdback]

I have built several bluebird houses over the years, and have them scattered around the property. Assuming I keep the English Sparrows in check, most of the houses are usually occupied by Tree Swallows and, if we're lucky, there's one that has a Bluebird pair in residence. Such was the case this year. It was the end of April, nest was built, and had four eggs inside. Then one morning I found this.



Wasn't positive what it was, but I had my suspicions. The house was heavily damaged and the eggs were gone. Well, the need for housing remains, so I glued the house back together.



After it dried, I set it back up. Fast forward about a week, and low and behold, my suspicion was correct.



Big ole black bear came down off the mountain and was prowling the neighborhood, getting into trash and attacking bird feeders. Easily 300 pounds, probably more. He has continued on his journey now, and hasn't been seen anymore.

As a post-script, the repaired house was moved into by a pair of Bluebirds within a week and they successfully fledged 5 young. The house is now occupied by a pair of Tree Swallows, setting on 3 eggs.

[macmex]

We have bear around us. My next door neighbor, who has several hundred acres, has had trouble with one tearing down fences lately. The bear is on one side of the fence and wants to be on the other side... just walks through, breaking 3 out of 4 strands. So far we have avoided trouble with bears. I believe this is because my livestock guardian dogs chase them off. Once, some years ago, we had a bear den about 400' from our driveway. Early one morning I heard a terrible ruckus out that way the dogs tangled with him. They came home rather beat up, but the bear moved farther out into the woods.

[heavyhitterokra]

Hooray, for your persistence in providing these birds with a good home. Bluebirds are cavity builders, usually using abandoned woodpecker sites, which are very hard for them to come by.

I try to maintain a string of about five bluebird boxes, so I can enjoy seeing them along the 500' foot walk to my garden each day. No bears got any here this year, but foul weather has. I've lost two nest boxes this season to falling trees and to sideswipes by falling tree limbs. Nature is rough on these beautiful creatures ... They need all the help they can get.  Cats and snakes ought to be bad enough, without any other added dangers along their path.

Thanks, for helping in the effort to look out for them.  I appreciate that.