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no matter what put up the wren guard!

16 years ago

I have had =horrifying= trouble with house wrens in past years. I don't want to go into details now but I'll be back with some links to some of what they've done.

And I was naive and impatient this year. I tried to get Mama used to a nest guard a few weeks ago when she was laying eggs and I was impatient and took it down, thinking that past experience is always the same.

Not so. This morning while my husband and I were outside, a wren went to the BB box where Mama was incubating 5 eggs! I also have an empty box and it went there, too.

Luckily, Daddy Bluebird caught sight of the brown devil and he chased him all over the yard and Mama stood guard at the box.

I am trying to get her used to the wren guard...I just hope it's not too late. In the meantime, when she leaves the box, I am sitting with my water gun to at least chase them away should they come back, which of course they will :(

DON'T MAKE MY MISTAKE...please.

Linda...

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Comments (5)

gibby01
16 years ago
I'm reading about wren guards and notquite sure just what they are, Is it a piece of wood that comes down from the roof and covers the hole, but still room for a BB to go in? and the wrens don't knkow how to go in? does this keep HOSP out?
lcmoore99
Original Author
16 years ago
Check the thread "Wren guard questions...". There are photos and descriptions and such.

Linda...
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did you use duct tape to attach? COOL!!! will add one right now! I'll get the dimensions of where it needs to be.. BIG SIGH! Yes, here is the quote from sialis.. "Try a modified Noel guard: Suggestion from Bernie Daniel: When a Chickadee or bluebird is established (i.e., a nest or eggs) build a "vanity front porch" on the box for them. Cut an old 2 quart milk carton in half. Cut a 1.5' hole in the bottom. Trim back the sides to about 4" in depth (now you have created a 4" bowl with a hole the bottom.) Center the hole in the bottom of the former milk carton over the nestbox hole and tack it onto the door. You can cut the bottom of the "porch" off so it is easier to attach and so that the Chickadee has access to the wooden door -- but keep the sides and top in place. (Basically this is a just a plastic "Noel guard" with no bottom). This creates a vestibule that prevents the wren for seeing the chickadee fly into the hole. Thus, the wren has less interest in what the chickadee is doing. Daniel has never lost a nest to wrens since using this method. " on this page: http://www.sialis.org/wrens.htm about a third of the way down.
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Saw the bluebird pair shopping at my HOSP trap house..??!! so I went to investigate their other nest.. TWO eggs are GONE!! I looked around and didn't find any shells. It wasn't a snake because it has an electric fence, plus he probably would have still been in there... I'm guessing a dang wren! (sparrow spooker in place and I'm trapping all the time!) I was hopeing it would just be okay, but murphies law.. My open house never had any sticks in it.. so I hoped they weren't nesting here. What about the other egg? I'm surprised they are shopping and left that one behind! So, If the pair renests, I will work with her to get a guard on there. I'll try a perch and everything suggested. I don't know if it was the guard or the ants last time, so maybe she'll work it out. If she can't figure it out, then I'll just have to let her move on. ok, my plan for possible new nest. Once I find the first egg I'll put on the training guard and add a removeable horizontal perch. When I wake up if there isn't a new egg, I'll remove the guard for a few hours. Once the egg is laid I'll put it all back on. I'll keep this up until she works it out, maybe allowing the guard in place longer each morning. Once all the eggs are laid, the guard will have to stay on. IF she hasn't figured it out by then, she will just have to abandon the nest. No reason to keep trying here, it just won't work.
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Donna I just had new wrens start singing and putting sticks in a box today. There are 2 boxes up the road in the neighbors yards with wrens and 1 across the street that already have nests and I thought I was in the clear and then more showed up today. What time did you put it on? Usually I put it on in the morning so they have all day to get used to it and figure it out. (which they do) If it is just a piece of wood or cardboard in the front only I would leave it. That is easier to figure out that with the sides on like I use. I myself would have put the guard on first b/c the hosp have never gotten around the guard yet. Sometimes I don't even use a spooker until fledging is near if I have a guard up. Gees that is a tough call. I don't think you can ever say you are safe from the wrens. Wish I had better advice. Cathy
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I had to google to see what you are talking about as I've never used one. According to this link it needs to be 2-1/2 to 3" away from the opening. http://bluebirdnut.com/forums/topic/how-to-make-a-wren-guard-with-photos/
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craftylady6
16 years ago
So, everyone should put one up? I started the wren guard question thread, and I tried to do it, but it was windy and they just couldn't get in there. Momma is already incubating and I just hated that she was frantic to get in and couldn't. I gave her a half and hour, daddy didn't get in either. So, should I try again?
bbcathy
16 years ago
I would try again if you have wrens in your area. Some birds just take longer to figure it out than others. I know it is gut wrenching to watch but it is for their own good. I've had to take it off too and try again so don't feel bad. Does it have sides? No sides does help at first but I recommend adding them. I have seen wrens repeatedly crawling all over a box trying to find a way in. I've done this for 6 or 7 years now and the Blues always find a way in eventually. I had a female last year that was not getting it at all. I had to cut a flap in the guard right in front of the hole and tape it back so she could see the hole and when she got used to that I taped it back down. Is there at least 2 1/2" in front. I leave 3" at least until they get used to it.
Good Luck
Cathy
Ann
16 years ago
I have never (SO FAR) had wren problems, though they are definitely here. Are they territorial at all?

My daughter has a playhouse in the back yard near the feeder and my several BB houses and the wrens live under it year round. If they're happy where they are, will they leave the blues alone?

I definitely have HOSP problems, but I've never even seen the wrens go to any of my houses.

Thanks,

Ann

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