Date: 5/11/25 3:22 pm From: Rob Ballinger via CTBirds <ctbirds...> Subject: [CT Birds] Bluebird tragedy
Our bluebird pair started a brood in April and the chicks were getting loud and we could hear them from quite a distance at the end of last week. On Friday both adults were actively feeding them. On Saturday there was no activity, no adults were seen in the yard, so I checked the nest. 4 dead chicks (they were developing feathers). I attributed it to days of rain, with perhaps wet adults insufficiently brooding the chicks. I cleaned out the nest box. Today only the male was around, until I found the male dead this afternoon. Still no female so I fear she is dead as well. We were sad enough to find the dead chicks, but the adults too?? Fearing a disease (H5N1??)I bleached the nest box. Has anyone else had such a sad experience or have a less scary explanation than contagion?
Rob Ballinger - Clinton
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