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It is a sad fact that what looks like a cute nest of Robins or Purple Martins to you and me looks like lunch to a wide range of predators. Although it is 'nature's way',
having erected the birdhouses in the first place to attract the birds, we have a moral duty to try to make sure the young survive.

Careful thought at the outset is part of the answer. High up is better than low down. It is unwise to put a bird house below about 6 feet. A fence post is easy for many predators to climb, and so is a utility pole, even if it is tall. A freestanding metal pole is far harder to climb. Even so, it is best to defend it. Each area has its own particular hazards which need guarding against and some predators like hawks cannot really be protected against. None the less, there is plenty that can be done.

Baffles of various types can be made or bought to go around poles or posts below the birdhouse. There are stovepipe, PVC and cone types and they offer considerable defense. Cats and squirrels will be defeated by any of these so long as they are fixed properly. Conical guards will defeat most raccoons and snakes, as will stovepipe guards of a good diameter. Do ensure there are no trees or buildings which predators can climb to jump across or down onto your bird houses.

Some large snakes may need deterring with a snake trap, such as the Krueger trap. This works a bit like a fisherman's gill net, catching snakes by their scales as they try to slither upwards. This sort of trap is a last resort really and needs checking for snakes frequently to avoid unnecessary suffering and death. There is also the problem of bagging and relocating the snakes!

There are several species of birds which will try to rob nests of their eggs or young too, such as crows. Deepening the entry hole to houses by fixing another piece of wood on the front can make this more difficult. If you build your own houses, you could angle the entrance hole slightly upwards too. Making sure the hole is no larger than the species needs to gain entry is also important.

All in all then there is plenty to try out to protect 'your' birds and advice can be found on several internet sites; good luck!

Learn more about this author, Mark Hopkins.
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