Wren Guard Question

[David in Stafford,VA]

I have a few wrens that seem to be trying to enter the nestbox. The female is incubating the 5 eggs and the male seems to be protecting the box pretty well. However there are at least 3 and possibly 5 wrens. 1 appears to sit at the bottom of the box on a tuft of grass like she or he is in a a nest while the others flit about. Is it too late to put a wren guard on the box now?

Thanks

David

• This topic was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by David in Stafford,VA.

David
Stafford, VA

[Lisa]

Even though it’s possibly not the ideal time, I’d get that guard up ASAP. I’m like you, not sure if mine will work since I think I lost some of their first nest to wrens. But so far so good.
You are going to have to do it on a day when you can make sure mom still goes in and out afterwards, though.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, after wrens know where the nest and hole for it is, a guard is not nearly as effective, since the idea of the guard is to cover up the hole so they don’t see it. But it sure can’t hurt to go ahead and put it on, and like Lisa said, you will need to watch to be sure she will go in, especially if she has been incubating. Those wrens are very sneaky – I was out doing some yard work today and heard one, but it was not close to where my box is where mama is incubating 5 eggs. Good luck.

[Lisa]

I’ve got 5 incubating now, too. Praying they have success this time!

[dogsandbirds]

Put it on! Put it on! Just be sure to leave a 3″ gap between the guard and the front of the box. The female will be the first to figure it out. Some males never do.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[David in Stafford,VA]

Thanks everyone. I will try the guard on Monday. We have grandkids coming over for an egg hunt and picnic in the yard for Easter and that should keep the wrens away from the nestbox for most of the afternoon. We will see what happens.

Glad to hear about your broods Lisa and Carol. Gin, do you have any nest with eggs yet We have at least 15 new BBs on the way. :)

David

David
Stafford, VA

[dogsandbirds]

David, I have several boxes but only one has seen activity this season. In that one, BHNU were ousted by CACH who were ousted by EABL. No eggs at all at this point.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Gin, what on earth did you do to offend your blues? I believe on another post you said you hadn’t had any for 3 years! That would really put me in a depression, but of course most people here are interested in other birds beside bluebirds. I do enjoy others, but I “cater” only to my blues. Oh, and maybe the hummers and the Baltimore Orioles that eat at their feeder also.
My brother lives in Savannah, Georgia, and has had several bluebird nests hatch for a lot of years. However, that hurricane that went up the coast last year I believe it was, torn down about 12-15 of his huge trees, which hit is house, and also displaced all his blues. He is about 82 years old now – and I have not heard if he has replaced any boxes yet, but I doubt it since he still had a lot of work to be done from the storm. Get those blues back there! P.S. Just teasing, and I know you wish the same, even though I’m sure it is less stressful.

[Lisa]

I wouldn’t know what to do without my blues. I need to downsize but it has to be to a place with good BB potential!

[dogsandbirds]

Carol – Mid-Mo. wrote:

Gin, what on earth did you do to offend your blues? I believe on another post you said you hadn’t had any for 3 years! Just teasing, and I know you wish the same, even though I’m sure it is less stressful.

I am strangely at peace about all this. AND it gives me more time to think about everybody else’s problems.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Thanks for thinking about all of us!

[Author]

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