Wren Guard question

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  • #5608
    Lisa
    Participant

      Mine just laid an egg WAY too late in South Alabama. I have a styrofoam roof deployed, my box has two side vents. I am super nervous about deploying a wren guard as it would cover the front hole. Would I be foolish not to? I am theorizing that the wrens may be smarter than the blues and giving up for the season?

      #5615
      Carol – Mid-Mo.
      Participant

        Lisa, I too was concerned about covering my Gilwood box hole (which is a bit oval), but Gin reminded me that it was the side vents that provide the necessary ventilation, think air flow from one side through the other. I do believe you need the Styrofoam on the west & south sides of the box, also. That west sun bearing down on the back (at least that is the way mine faces) of the box is horribly hot. As far as wrens giving up, I don’t know what to tell you about that there in Alabama. I still have a wren singing away wanting to find a mate and has started a nest (several times) in one of my boxes. I just keep taking out a few sticks at a time, and it keeps him busy. I have 4 baby blues just 3 days old so this is still a dangerous time for them. I do have a wren guard on, plus my foam heat shield and NO shade! So I am a little anxious, also, about the heat this coming week. But I have done all I can at this time.

        #5616
        Lisa
        Participant

          Thanks Carol! That answered pretty much all of my concerns!

          #5617
          verachuckdave
          Participant

            I just made a new wren guard for my box today. I can’t really use a shoe box because my house has a triangular gable in the front. My old one was made out of cardboard and covered with packing tape, but we have had just too many storms around here and it got soggy. I was afraid it would sag down and block the hole, so I had to take it down. I went to a craft store and bought a few small sheets of balsa wood. I cut it, glued and tacked the sides, sprayed it with Thompson’s water seal, and put it on the house today. I actually think it may help to cool the house because it casts more shade. I left 3.5 inches of space from the hole to the front of the guard. It’s really sturdy, but the only thing I don’t like is that I can’t open the lid of the house with it on. I will have to open the side to monitor the eggs/babies. I don’t have the plexiglass in mine.

            Susan
            Pennsylvania

            #5621
            Lisa
            Participant

              Sounds like a good Sunday project for me! Thank you! Wrens are still around but I was hoping they were done with mating mode…unlike my crazy blues!

              #5628
              Lisa
              Participant

                Shoebox wren guard up and it reall does seem to provide more shade. Mama was in within 30 minutes.

                #5629
                Lisa
                Participant

                  Second egg today. I wouldn’t be sad if she stopped at two.

                  #5631
                  verachuckdave
                  Participant

                    Good luck with those eggs. I have five eggs in the nest. Today is day 13 from the last egg being laid. I was looking for hatching yesterday, but as of the evening, it was just eggs. I was on an outing today since morning, so I haven’t had a chance to see if any hatching went on while I was gone. I like to wait until evening to check the box because I usually spot the parents sitting together on my pool fence. I prefer checking when I know she’s not in there. It has been terribly hot and humid for the past two weeks, I hope the eggs are okay.

                    Susan
                    Pennsylvania

                    #5652
                    Lisa
                    Participant

                      Hope yours are OK! Number 3 arrived today. I sure hope they know more than I do because the heat here can be brutal. Surprisingly the 10 day forecast has only on day of 90 degrees. Very unusual for here. Humidity 83% but I don’t think humidity is harmful to the birds?

                      #5662
                      dogsandbirds
                      Moderator

                        They don’t seem to mind humidity. I wish I could be like them.

                        Gin
                        Atlanta, GA

                        #5667
                        Lisa
                        Participant

                          Hopefully Gin! As I posted on another thread I think she’s incubating because I accidentally flushed her at 3 PM trying to straighten my sparrow spooker. I know nobody prays for less eggs but I sure am…..

                          #5668
                          verachuckdave
                          Participant

                            The eggs all hatched yesterday. I have seen the parents a little bit, but they aren’t into a full feeding frenzy yet.

                            Susan
                            Pennsylvania

                            #5690
                            Lisa
                            Participant

                              Yay! Congrats on a successful hatch!

                              #5741
                              Sassy
                              Participant

                                Congrats Susan on the second successful hatch. Not as hot here in this area of PA, no 90 degree day so far, in the 80’s and quite humid the last few days.
                                Connie (PA)

                                #5749
                                Lisa
                                Participant

                                  10 day forecast is all 80’s. Unreal for my location. They decided to stop at 4. Thank goodness! All shiny and healthy looking. Trying not to get hopes up but have plenty of juicy mealworms waiting….

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