WREN GUARD INFO

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Just a reminder that if you have a wren guard on your BB box it is best to remove it several days prior to fledging date (usually about 4-5 days) so that it does not interfere with the babies fledging and also easier for parents to feed them since they are good sized by then. I almost forgot this on my current nest box #3 as they are due to fledge in 3 or 4 days. (WHEW – I need to remember this)
Also, I was wondering if anyone here on this forum has ever had a 4th nesting around this time – mid July. I am hoping my pair quit but I will care for them as usual if they keep at it.

[tamsea]

Speaking of wren guards. I’ve never had wrens at my house but the last couple of years they have visited. I strongly discourage. This year one gave up early on and I have a new one. I can’t stand the sound!! Scares me and just annoys me. I’ve had a terrible bluebird year, I can explain later, but I’ve had no successful nests. I have eggs in a box and a wren flitting around. Wren guard is up. I’m making a new one out of sign material. And making it so I can open and close it with nest checks. (front load box). How far does all of yours hang below the hole. Directions say right below but I think I like it a little lower.The one that’s on now is hangs more than what is in the directions but the bluebirds are going in. I’m making my new weather proof one now.

Tammy

[stebet]

Hi Tammy, what kind of Wren Guard do you use? Could you provide a link? I’ve been trying to use one, as well, but the BBs won’t go inside when it’s attached. It seems too daunting to them, somehow. I hate to remove it, but when I do, they jump right in. Maybe I purchased the wrong kind?

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

The trick on wren guards is this – you do NOT put on the wren guard UNTIL after the 1st egg is laid – when this happens they are committed to that box and usually will go in after a time or two. And I usually already have a sparrow spooker on the pole right away – the blues will even stand on the spooker keeping an eye out for unwanted birds.
Tammy, my wren guard does hang a little below the hole, maybe 1/2 to 1 inch. Main measurement for the wren guard is the distance from the front of the box out to the spooker, which needs to be about 3 inches – they used to recommend 2 1/2 inches but then came out with the 3″ (this is to the back side of the guard – the clearance area) which I do believe is better so the birds can have room to swoop under the guard to get in the box.

[stebet]

Hi Carol, can you let me know what kind of wren guard you’re using? (And a link, if possible!) Thank you!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

I can’t tell you exactly, since it is homemade, but I got the pattern/information from the http://www.sialis.org/wrens.htm website. Like I mentioned the old recommendation for space between the front of the nest box and the guard used to be 2 1/2 inches but is now recommended 3″ which is a lot better for the birds to get into the hole. There is a really good picture of this wren guard on that website. This morning I was able to see one of my blues peeking out of their hole which you cannot see with the wren guard on. First time this year out of three boxes I have been able to see one peek.

[Julie]

Thank you for supplying all this wren guard info! I’ve heard one in the neighbor’s yard, which I usually do this time of year, but I also don’t usually have bluebirds nesting this time of year….so I’m on high alert. Think i’ll be crafting a guard…Thank you for the timely thread, Carol!!

[David in Stafford,VA]

Wren guards do work but I have not used one this year as my “temporary” guard came apart after 3 seasons and I did not build another one because of the late start of my season. If they do go for a 3rd nest, I will put a new one up after the first egg. I do have wrens in the woods and shrubs.

David
Stafford, VA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, it sure didn’t take me long to realize the importance of the wren guard until in my earlier years I found BB eggs pierced and broken on the ground several times. I was heart-broken and very next season my homemade (wooden) spooker was up right after 1st egg was laid.

[David in Stafford,VA]

Carol – That was my experience also. I have used the guard except for this year when we had our cool spring and late nest building (and the wren protector coming apart in the rain). I did put a longer weather shield over the roof of the box. It extends out over the front to just above the entry hole. It took the bluebirds a couple of tries to figure it out.

David
Stafford, VA

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