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The house wren has decided it wants the other box I have up and has begun constructing her nest in earnest.
It is located I would say 50-70 yards away from the active blue site with eggs being laid.
Should I let it fly?
I’m interested to see what others say. Legally, you should not interfere with the house wren nest, correct? Could you block the house wrens from finishing a nest in that box if they are only showing interest at this point? Would that be likely to send the house wrens to the bluebird nest box? That’s what I’m asking myself. Note sure what I would do.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
I’m interested to see what others say. Legally, you should not interfere with the house wren nest, correct? Could you block the house wrens from finishing a nest in that box if they are only showing interest at this point? Would that be likely to send the house wrens to the bluebird nest box? That’s what I’m asking myself. Note sure what I would do.
I figure they can have that box and the blues can have the other one??
That way less chance of the wrens getting angry and pecking the blues eggs to pieces
I’d have to agree with AIH. If disturbed it might focus on the bluebird nest. Maybe having some pesky stinkers like a wren pair around could help reduce some other predators. But the minute that wren decides to harass the blues I would be cleaning out their nest. I think the blues will defend the nest successfully if they have eggs present.
Tim
WI/MI Border, about 100 miles north of Green Bay
Tim C. WI/MI border.
Yeah, I’m going to watch it play out. I’d rather them have their own successful nest than harassing the blues! I have experience with them and know they go insane when other birds have nests nearby..
I’d have to agree with AIH. If disturbed it might focus on the bluebird nest. Maybe having some pesky stinkers like a wren pair around could help reduce some other predators. But the minute that wren decides to harass the blues I would be cleaning out their nest. I think the blues will defend the nest successfully if they have eggs present.
Tim
I’m interested to see what others say. Legally, you should not interfere with the house wren nest, correct? Could you block the house wrens from finishing a nest in that box if they are only showing interest at this point? Would that be likely to send the house wrens to the bluebird nest box? That’s what I’m asking myself. Note sure what I would do.
According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act I could take the nest out of the box as long as there are no eggs or nestlings.
I’ll let them continue.
According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act I could take the nest out of the box as long as there are no eggs or nestlings.
My only concern is the close proximity of the two nest and whether they are in sight of each other.
David
Stafford, VAI always take wren nests out. Also had a wren bothering my swallows last year killing one baby. So (after watching a video on youtube) I stapled a piece of cardboard out in front of the hole (just bent over enough so the swallows could still get in and out the wren couldn’t see the hole) and that stopped him from bothering them. It was a thin protected cardboard from a beer case so it didn’t get sopping wet. Apparently if the wrens can’t see the hole, they don’t bother.
FWIW I was looking for confirmation that a nest can be removed if there are no young or eggs present. It comes down to the definition of active. I found this. The definition is in footnote 2, which essentially states that a nest is active from when the first egg is laid until the young have fledged and are no longer dependent on the nest. The footnote also clarifies that a nest that is being built but does not yet contain an egg is inactive. A nest containing nonviable eggs is also inactive.
- Ira / Coastal NW Florida
I took the wren nest out. It was looking like a dummy nest anyway but I’d rather bluebirds use it.
Good move! I highly recommend this wren deterrent video for when you have eggs or babies. It really saved my nest last year.
Wrens scare me more than house sparrows. Yes they are native but they are very destructive. And they often make several dummy nests, evicting other birds eggs and nestlings.
I always discourage them from nesting but if you’re in a heavily treed area and have a lot of wrens, like my daughter, that might not be possible.
Also you could put up a Wren guard for your bluebirds AFTER the first egg is laid.Tammy
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