Wren spotting. Trouble?

[Dave]

My yard has been pretty successful this year as far as different species nesting goes. I have a bluebird pair on my side yard with first brood about to fledge any day. Chickadees I’m back corner have fledged and moved on and there are tree swallows in front yard with eggs about to to hatch. This morning I noticed a wren going in and out of my shed, the door is messed up and has a small gap. After investigating I found a nest with some chicks. So should I be worried? They seem to stay on that side of the yard. But will this mean more wrens next year? Not sure what to do, if there is anything I can do.

[tamsea]

I should just let Carol answer because she’s so good at it. That is probably a Carolina Wren and they are awesome birds to have. It’s the House Wrens that will take over your nestboxes and peck eggs. So enjoy that Carolina Wren. They nest in the most fun places.

Tammy

[Dave]

Oh yea? That would be cool. Like I said, it doesn’t seem to be posing a problem. I’ll have to look at the differences online and check them out.

Thank you

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Wrens are a protected species – cannot legally harm them (and they are really cute), but they can really do a number on bluebird nests. My secret (after putting a wren guard on my BB box) is to let the wren put their twigs inside a different box, watch the box closely (almost every day) and take out MOST of the trigs but leave some for “stake” for the wren. They will continue to try to build a nest this way and thus keeps them busy and away from my bluebirds. I don’t know how many wren nests I have removed this year – however one time I was too late and there was a wren egg in the box – I was really upset but could/would not do anything about it. Well, the next day I spotted a HOSP on top of that box and later looked inside and the egg was gone – the HOSP took care of my problem. P.S. all the wrens I have are house wrens, which are cute but deadly to BBs and their eggs.

[Julie]

Dave, we have a Carolina wren that I mostly hear and rarely see. My neighbor came back from vacation and told me there’s a mourning dove nest on his propane tank under the lid. I bet any $$ it’s a Carolina wren. Check out the differences online visually and learn the song. I hear the long trill-type one regularly. I see them most often in winter at the suet feeders and heated birdbath. Congrats if that’s what you have! They’re peaceful. Fingers crossed for you!! They’re good bug eaters.

[Dave]

These have the white above the eye so I think you’re right, they are Carolina. I’ve had good luck with everyone getting along so far, want to try and keep it that way. Never realized all the drama with different species before be interested enough to pay attention and actively help them.

[Julie]

I’m glad for your Carolina wren, Dave. Yesterday I heard a house wren in the giant oak trees across the street. I have NEVER heard one in the front yard….sigh. Will have to be vigilant. I checked the backyard chickadee box today because I saw fur and moss on the ground. The box is empty. I guess a wren tore the nest out. I wonder if the chickadee fledged…Carol, thanks for sharing your house wren strategy. I was mentally reviewing it while mowing today. I hope I don’t have to use it, but if they start nesting, I will!

[Author]

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