Wren talk for those that have been through it.

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  • #4514
    tamsea
    Moderator

      This post is for those of you that have had a wren pierce eggs in a nestbox.
      I’ve had only two wren visits and they disappeared after I discouraged them. But a friend of mine lost 5 eggs after wrens pierced each one. So, those of you with a similar experience is it hopeless once that’s happened even with a wren guard because the wren already knows about that opening? What’s your experience?

      Tammy

      #4515
      tamsea
      Moderator

        I would rather have house sparrows then wrens any day!

        Tammy

        #4518
        Lisa
        Participant

          At least wrens don’t hurt the parents. That’s the only upside I can think of.
          I had a successful nest in the same box this year after what I believe were wren got my first group of eggs.
          I wish I could shoot them. And I’ve never shot anything.
          I think my resident wrens have their own nest in neighbor’s bushes now. I wonder if that makes the wrens less likely to hurt the blue babies?

          #4519
          Lisa
          Participant

            Tamsea, how did you get the wrens to leave?

            #4520
            Carol – Mid-Mo.
            Participant

              Tammy, I have had two (different years) wren attacks that I can think of without looking at my record book. I believe my blues went on and built in a different box each year. I would think once the wren finds that box/hole it is going to go back to it, at least in the same season. I am a firm believer in having more than one box to keep those “unwanted” birds busy while the blues are nesting. I have 4 boxes in my backyard, and I am always removing either sticks or HOSP nesting and/or trapped. That’s my theory, keep them busy so they will leave the blues’ nest alone. Of course, you have to get that blues’ nest first. I know some people may not have the room for that many boxes, but even 2 boxes I believe would help. Anyone else think the same?

              #4528
              thcri
              Participant

                Just reading this scares me. I had HOSP’s so bad last year losing everything. This year my TRES came and left all in one day. However I do have two best boxes active with two females and as of today three eggs in each. I sure hope the wrens don’t come around.

                And on top if it I think there us one male taking care of both. He is the only male I see and he flies back and forth to each of the nests.

                • This reply was modified 7 years, 5 months ago by thcri.
                #4536
                dogsandbirds
                Moderator

                  Multiple boxes do help sometimes. HOWR are just so aggressive that it can be very hard to occupy them with one box unless they have eggs. And, yes. Once a wren finds a hole he’s going back there repeatedly in the same season.

                  When a box is near wren territory, the first EABL cycle is often successful without HOWR interference if they can complete it early enough in the season. After that, it gets increasingly difficult.

                  Thcri, what fun to watch this! He’s a busy guy! If you are ANYWHERE near HOWR you need wren guards on both boxes now.

                  Gin
                  Atlanta, GA

                  #4547
                  thcri
                  Participant

                    Multiple boxes do help sometimes. HOWR are just so aggressive that it can be very hard to occupy them with one box unless they have eggs. And, yes. Once a wren finds a hole he’s going back there repeatedly in the same season.

                    When a box is near wren territory, the first EABL cycle is often successful without HOWR interference if they can complete it early enough in the season. After that, it gets increasingly difficult.

                    Thcri, what fun to watch this! He’s a busy guy! If you are ANYWHERE near HOWR you need wren guards on both boxes now.

                    Last year the wrens tried occupying all of my boxes multiple times. I would go out there everyday and remove the nest they started. After a while I got sick of it and pulled the boxes. I don’t know if a guard will stop them but have already put on.

                    #4557
                    Sassy
                    Participant

                      That is so upsetting to think about. I hope you do not run into any problems. I have 5 boxes total, 2 of which are bluebird houses and the others just home made nest boxes but not a big enough opening for a BB. I have chickadees in one, the other 3 are empty but I keep an eye on them for any kind of activity.
                      Connie (PA)

                      #4576
                      Meg
                      Participant

                        Well it doesn’t seem like the multiple boxes are helping here for me. I finally gave up this year and let the wren nest in one hoping they would leave the poor chickadees alone in their second attempt. :BagOverHead: I just got back from being away several days and the chickadees had only one more egg in there and it seemed like some signs that the wren had been back..the nest material seemed a little sticky in one place and it looked like there were a couple pieces of eggshell although it was hard to tell. Doesn’t seem promising although I think I saw a chickadee leave the box this afternoon so maybe the few eggs survived? Next year I think I will just plug the boxes once the wrens arrive and hope to get at least a first brood before I do. The HOWR just seem too destructive here.

                        #4577
                        tamsea
                        Moderator

                          So thanks, everyone. It sounds like, Lisa, is the only one that may have had a successful nest in her box after a wren attack. Bummer! I am so glad we don’t have many wrens. Lisa, I mostly just remove sticks. But I’ve literally only had two in the past 9 years.

                          Tammy

                          #4589
                          Lisa
                          Participant

                            Tamsea, my second brood did fine after losing the first to wrens. But my idea of putting the guard up before and egg was an epic fail. Took it off and have 3 bluebird eggs 36 hours later. Guard is back up and I saw mom go in today. Will keep you posted as I am an obsessive monitor!!!

                            #4592
                            Lisa
                            Participant

                              I have never ever had sticks so I may be wrong about wrens. I had missing eggs and babies and have never seen a HOSP. I don’t have a raccoon. Have plenty of snakes but none have even attempted the kreuger guard. And wrens are everywhere. So I feel sure that they are the culprits.

                              #4593
                              Lisa
                              Participant

                                My only other thought is that there is so much wren territory here, as in huge bushes, that they may be satisfied and busy with their own nests. I was just sitting quietly on my screened in patio the other day that has a large Camellia bush in it and the wrens came in to check it out. So quite nervous. Though I have a Yorkie that would make a quick snack of a wren if it was trapped in the screened porch.

                                #4596
                                Lisa
                                Participant

                                  Another egg today so wren guard worked, Only problem is that it’s pouring rain and a flimsy shoebox so will have to replace ASAP/ I think she is brooding now so I guess early evening would be the best time….Thoughts?

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