My guess is that a critter raccoon/snake/squirrel had something to do with the disapearance. With the box on a fence, it is very easy for lots of critters to get at the nest. If the hosp is still around, the bb are still in danger.

I am sorry for your loss and ever more sorry for mom and dad bluebird. :(

Karen

No snakes or raccoons in the area? Why are the bb still in danger? I'm am very new at this. I'll move the nestbox to a pole but they seemed to be very safe where they were and did not want to disturbe them...what a mistake..thanks for sharing my sorrow.

http://www.sialis.org/ This site will tell u everything u need to know. I didn't think I had raccoon either, until I saw 1 on my deck eating the hummingbird food. They are around. Was the nest messed up at all? Anyway, check out the forum listed above. It's the best site!!

Karen

thanks for the web site...i live in middle Tn in a well developed area and in seven years me nor my dog have seen one..but maybe..the nest was not messed up at all..it was as thought she was about to lay her first egg..could a squirrel been so carefuel and not disturbe the nest...could a HOSP clean the nest out??? thanks again for the web site..

I would say a snake or a House Wren got them.

You can read up on House Wrens with the link below.I also would do search on the Sparrow Spooker,learn how to make one and use it.All of this info can be found on www.sialis.org
I would also recommend getting your box onto a baffled pole away from the fence.

Here is a link that might be useful: House Wrens

Sorry for your loss hurricane. Most folks find this forum because they have had a disaster...just like you. You will learn much here. Many many people think they are doing a good thing by puting a nest box out. They usually do more harm than good, they just do not know what's involved and how to do it right. I wish nest boxes came with REAL instructions!

I live in middle Tennessee also. I have been very lucky over the past several years in that I have had a lot of success while I know very little. I learn something new every time I log onto this sight. The basics that I follow are to put each house on a 1 to 1 1/2 inch metal or PVC post. Attach a preditor guard to each post. Attach a sparrow spooker after the first egg is laid. Make sure your houses are NABS-type houses. Check your houses at least once a week. The sialis.org and this forum will answer 99% of your questions. They are life savers (bluebird life savers).

Phil

Most likely HOWR (house wrens). Personally, I have screwed up big time and probably didn't know it, even when I found my first pecked adult male blue outside his box. Now I know a HOSP was the culprit.

Get angry, very angry but go to sialis.org. You can spend literally hours on that site but you will learn everything (along with the links in the site) about how to avoid failures. You'll still have them but not because you didn't how to avoid them. Be prepared to spend lots of time and some cash but the blues and dees will thank you.

Linda