On my last nest check, I found a dead SY male in a nest (Trendsetter 12 unit). 2 weeks ago the same nest had been wrecked (nesting material dislodged and eggs scattered). I put the nest together as best I could, and on my next nest check found that more eggs had been laid. This time, though, along with the dead SY male, all the eggs were gone. Three other compartments had missing eggs or missing young (1 week old). Can an SY male wreak this much damage? I thought maybe a snake might have eaten the eggs and young, so I've since added some netting. (I already have a predator guard.) I've also thought about an owl, but can an owl reach into a nest to grab eggs?
All of my problems (purple martin, that is) have occurred in the Trendsetter house. I also have a Nature House MSS-12 (converted to larger 6 compartment). Is it easier for parents to defend their eggs and young because of the way the larger compartment is arranged?
Thanks for any advice.
Missing eggs and young
Hi , IMO it would not be an owl because the owl would more than likely got the female and not the eggs , have you seen the mate to the female since ? I had a snake get in my husbands mothers BB house and eat the 5 eggs that were there and the female was dead in the nest I,m not sure why she was dead but we know it was a snake because he was still there with a full belly ! Not sure if this could be your problem but it sounds a lot alike . Hope this helps !
April McClelland
PMCA Member
PMCA Member
Thank you for your response.
The mate was also an SY male. I made a note weeks ago that this pair would sit on the balcony of another compartment (no nest in that compartment). I've seen an SY male & female sitting on that balcony. I assume it's the same female, but I don't know if it's the same male. Neither one has gone back to the compartment with the missing eggs and dead SY male.
The mate was also an SY male. I made a note weeks ago that this pair would sit on the balcony of another compartment (no nest in that compartment). I've seen an SY male & female sitting on that balcony. I assume it's the same female, but I don't know if it's the same male. Neither one has gone back to the compartment with the missing eggs and dead SY male.
Hey my mistake I thought I read that it was the female dead , how many pair are in the house and how many nest have been disturbed ? From what I,m reading I feel its likely a snake . If so putting up the netting will help .
April McClelland
PMCA Member
PMCA Member