Critter issues

[Saturn94]

I’ve seen threads with owners posting about critters found in their pools.

We have a new critter issue this time. Apparently, a pair of birds, Brown Thrashers, decided to raise a family in a bush near the deep end (equipment pad and walkway there as well). We opened the pool this week and were promptly attacked anytime we went near there! Those beaks and claws hurt! Thank goodness for bicycle helmets, lol!

Yesterday we saw the fledglings on the ground. Today there have been no attacks, so hopefully they’ve moved on. Fingers crossed if we disturb the area everyday they will nest somewhere else now.

This is the first time since the pool was installed in 2004 that we’ve had this happen.

(Edit: corrected bird species name)

 

[YippeeSkippy]

They found someplace nice to make a nest. Find the remnants of the nest and next year block that area somehow and they should move elsewhere.

Maddie

 

[DorsalSpine]

Apparently Killdeer like to nest on the ground. They will also make nests from gravel. Last year it was really cute watching momma nest on the turn around portion of my gravel driveway. We put buckets in the driveway so nobody would drive over the nest. We did too good of a job and they are back again this year. Mom and Dad take turns on the nest. If you get too close they make noise, hold a wing out like it's broken and try to lead you away from the nest. Get too close and the I'm hurt routine goes away. Then it's both wings out and mock charges right at you. That's an aggressive little bird.

They have gotten used to us now. We can mow the grass and work in the flower bed that's nearby without disturbing them too much. They don't do the hurt wing routine much anymore. Another week or so and they will hatch and be gone for the year. Once they hatch they will be out of the nest in a day following Mom and Dad around.

Watching them beats the heck out fishing an opossum out of the pool. LOL.

 

[Saturn94]

They found someplace nice to make a nest. Find the remnants of the nest and next year block that area somehow and they should move elsewhere.

Maddie

Today I removed the empty nest. I read Thrashers can produce 2-3 broods per year. I’m hoping removing the nest and regular activity in the area will encourage them move away from the pool area.