sad first post .... (1 Viewer)

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babblebrook

Member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #1

Warblers that had been nesting in our front yard for the last few weeks have inexplicably abandoned the nest. After so industriously building within the ceramic birdhouse I provided and beginning to care for the little ones, the parents left. They had already been feeding the babies and cleaning up after them. This same sad event happened in a different birdhouse a few years ago. Can anyone explain this apparently irresponsible behavior???

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delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Jun 14, 2010

• #2

Hi babblebrook and a warm welcome to you on behalf of the Staff and Moderators.

I could be wrong, but it sounds like they may have suffered some disturbance.

D

 

OpposableChums

Member

• Jun 14, 2010

• #3

It's hard for me to picture, with the young-rearing impulse so strong, that anything short of a calamity would explain the parent's absence.

 

B

babblebrook

Member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #4

Thanks for the warm welcome, D!
I have another birdhouse about 20 feet or so away from the original one that was abandoned. A pair of warblers are setting up housekeeping there --- I suspect it's the same pair. Perhaps there was a disturbance yesterday; I was away for the weekend ....
I am heartsick about the babies and have not been able to look inside yet. I want to clean out the nest and hope for another set of parents.

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Jun 15, 2010

• #5

Hi, Babblebrook, and another welcome to BirdForum. We are glad to have you aboard!

Can you tell us the species of the warbler that nested in the ceramic nest house?

 

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babblebrook

Member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #6

Sorry, I cannot identify it. The Stokes Guide has only two species, and my guys look like neither one. Mine are small, about 5" and dun colored. Take a quick look if you will on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mb_pix/4621539971/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mb_pix/4622142026/

 

Larry Lade

Moderator

• Jun 15, 2010

• #7

From looking at the above videos, I think your "warblers" may be House Wrens. They like to nest in bird houses in peoples' yards. The also sing a "warbling" song! Perhaps you could check in your Stokes Bird Guide and see if the House Wren pictured there resembles your nesting birds.

Good Birding!

 

B

babblebrook

Member

• Jun 15, 2010

• #8

Dear Larry,
You are absolutely correct! I checked Stokes and my "warblers" are warbling house wrens. Thanks so much for your input.
The same abandonment scenario happened in my yard about 3 years ago. The nesting site was a "roosting pocket" woven from natural materials: straw, twigs, etc.
Those warblers must have been house wrens, too. No apparent reason or event to have caused the parents to leave half-hatched babies behind. (About 7 of them.)
Anyway, I'm pleased to have made your acquaintance.

Happy birding to you, as well.

 

B

babblebrook

Member

• Jun 16, 2010

• #9

No babies! Yesterday I took down the abandoned nest, steeling myself for the shells, embryos, and baby birds I would find, but the nest had only nesting material the parents had used. The house wren parents are now busily building in a different birdhouse farther from my windows.

 

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Last edited: Jun 16, 2010

a.dancy

Registered User

• Jun 16, 2010

• #10

Hi and welcome aboard.

 

Mark Bruce

Super Moderator

• Jun 17, 2010

• #11

Hi, a warm welcome and good to have you with us :t:!