Return to the Bluebirding Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Snakes in Northern states
| | |
Posted by rayinri (My Page) on Fri, Oct 23, 09 at 22:20
Much to my surprise I found a snake a forth for the season trapped in the garden netting. The last four to five years I have lost many bluebirds because
of Black Racer snakes. 20 bluebird chicks were saved and my population of
bluebirds is once again growing. And am very confident that this is the end
of my problems. Racoons,Fisher. No problems box's deep with Noel wire
back in the 1990's I lost 10% due to snakes. from 1999 to present the % of lost
due to snakes was 50% I will even double rap poles with even more mesh
if this means no more snakes. I am so happy after spending a good amount of money on PVC for snake protection (it never worked) the netting is ideal and
cheap (save many bluebirds invest in Garden netting.) Snakes alive are let go miles away from bluebirds. I dont hate snakes just dont want them eating my bluebirds for a fast easy meal.
Ray |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
| Good job saving the bluebirds. Will u post a pic of ur set up with the net??? I dont have problems with snakes, but ya never know when I might need it. Thanks!! Karen |
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
Hi Karen
I have no clue how to post pictures on this forum. If you research on some web
pages it may show the netting its also called the Kuger snake trap. I have lost so many bluebirds in 20 years of conservation work to snakes i feel no guilt
they have had more than a lion's share. And i did try to protect with PVC but that did work the netting probably will insure I continue at least for a few more
years now that the poor birds are on the rebound. In any southern snake invested state. Trust me they will find your baby bluebirds and will eat them
The black Rat & Bull snakes. The black Rat is very rare here in South Eastern
NE. But they to are around. And have taken Bluebirds. Any old field with large rocks is home to snakes. Dont be fooled if you dont see them there out
at night. It took many years and different kinds of pipes and trash cans to protect my birds but the number one predator gaurd is the netting on the post. It so shocking you will be passing the word on to many Nest box managers in your community and across the country, Many Martin landlords
are years ahead of us with this management trick in the south. I will never wonder what happen to my bluebirds? The snake population was growing
on my nest box trail NOT ANY MORE...........Ray
|
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
| I know the netting works great, and a lot of people use it. But I would be too afraid of the snake to remove it, so I use the wobbling stovepipe guard. It has worked for me. You are so right Ray that those snakes are around even if you don't see them. I thought I saw an old tire on the edge of my neighbor's lawn. Upon closer inspection, it was a very large black rat snake. I'm up in the northeast, so they are around. |
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
I have a fear of snakes as well but, I know there are baby bluebirds in that box
and hungry I set my fear a side and do what i have to for those birds.. I have trapped a few snakes alive. If i get bitten thats the chance i take. And they
do strike at you! One less snake is 10 more bluebird chicks....Thats how i see it.
Will see my numbers next year and if the population grows. I think I'm going
to be very happy. snakes trapped in 07 were snake free in 08,09! And still
have bluebird pairs now three years. Not a major problem But every bluebird
counts. If turkey vultures find the snakes they leave nothing but bones.
And the bluebirds dont mind the vultures under the box.
|
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
| I am extremely scared of snakes. I have only seen gartner and ribbon snakes in my yard. I have a wobbling baffle (stove pipe) on all my boxes. But I will do what ever it takes 2 keep my bluebirds safe. I live in Michigan r black rat snakes in Michigan??? YIKES!!!! Karen |
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
Karen The black rat snake is common in central and southern Michigan
The black Racer Is common in the entire state of Michigan and is the biggest
problem for northern landlords all snakes trapped here have been Black Racer snakes. And there very big I have found some hit by cars as big as four feet.
The Black Rat is slower and is just Black here. The racer is grey.... and very fast
once seen they bullet to cover and hide. The Black rat will stand his ground and
not run. I found a Black rat just before he was going to eat a grounded fledgling
bluebird The calls the bluebirds make send out a signal to snakes (here I am)
They have no clue how dangerous there calls really are.
Ray |
RE: Snakes in Northern states
| | |
| I have put cut chicken wire, used as a baffle around some of my bluebird house poles. The jagged edges of the wire seems to deter snakes from climbing over the sharp edges to get to the bb house. This is an experiment of mine, but I haven't had any snakes get to those boxes. This is just a thought. |
Post a Follow-Up
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Bluebirding Forum
|
|
|
