Wrens are back in Maryland . . . . .

16 years ago

I haven't seen this information posted by any other Marylanders, so thought I should let you all know that I heard a house wren today at my school trail in Frederick. Haven't actually seen one, but they're slippery little things and I almost always hear them before they are visible. Guard those precious eggs!

Kathy

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Comments (8)

allan_2009
16 years ago
Thanks Kathy!!
djohn36755
16 years ago
If the eggs have hatched will they bother the baby bluebirds? I've had bluebirds in my house for years with no problems... this year I installed a new house on the other side of my property - and had a nesting of 5 chickadee eggs. I found the nest empty yesterday and today found one of the broken eggs on the ground..... I don't want them to bother my precious bluebird babies!! I think my bb parents are pretty protective, though.
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griffin_MD
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, gamom, unfortunately they can drop tiny hatchlings from the nestbox. One of our forum members saw this happen a couple of times on her nestbox camera last year and shared the footage with us. We were shocked! Once the nestlings are too big--several days old--the wrens are no longer able to remove them. However, they will also peck and remove eggs. I don't have much trouble with wrens on my trails but they caused alot of problems for the 4 boxes here at my home last year. Have you ever experimented with a wren guard? I'm going to try it this year and see if it will help. I used it a few times at our old house and found it to be fairly effective.
Kathy
lcmoore99
16 years ago
Perhaps I am the person who Kathy is referring to.

It was actually 2007 when I caught House Wrens on video removing chicks that were not even 1 day old! I was watching & recording the video from inside the bluebird nest box and saw a sharp-beaked bird dart in, grab a chick and throw it out!! I was so stunned that I didn't get outside to stop him till a 3 had been thrown out! The next night he did the same thing but I was able to stop him again. The babies did survive.

Last year, in a box wo. a video camera, a HOWR threw out 6 newborn chickadees. I found 5 out of the 6--it was amazing how far the chicks were thrown.

If you want to read the story, check out the link below.

Bluebird blessings, Linda...

Here is a link that might be useful: House Wren throws chicks out of nest
djohn36755
16 years ago
Thanks Kathy - no I've never tried a wren guard because this is the first time I've ever had a problem. I will look for them - we have a wonderful bird store nearby that has all kinds of things and I've also purchased online. I'm so sad about the wrens as I had always liked them and thought they were so "cute".... I'll never be able to look at them the same again!!
griffin_MD
Original Author
16 years ago
Geez, Linda, where does the time go???? Yes, that's the story I was referring to. I won't ever forget seeing your video of the attack and am so glad you had that nest cam so you were able to save your babies. Incredible. Gamom, I don't know if there is a wren guard available commercially, but you can find plans and suggestions for making your own on the www.sialis.org web site. Some people use a small cardboard box folded over the front of their nestbox and secure it in some fashion--the most important thing is to make sure the wrens don't know there is an entrance hole to the box! I agree about the wrens as far as looking upon them as cute little things, or at least I used to. Now when I hear their song it's like fingernails on a chalkboard for me. Good luck to you and please let us know what's happening with your nesting.
Kathy
lcmoore99
16 years ago
Kathy,

yes, time does fly, the older I get the faster it goes :(

I have been trying to go through my records for the years that I've been 'host' to yard birds. This time I'm keeping better records than in the past. I've had several run ins with house wrens, not all on video unfortunately. I do have to check, though, because it seems to me that the video on that web page I referenced is from a different year than the story on that page. When I have time, I'll check.

It doesn't matter because the bottom line is that House Wrens will peck eggs, leaving them or throwing them out. They will throw nestlings out of the nestbox, too.

gamom (is that for GA Mom? I'm in GA that's why I ask), you've started on quite an adventure and I wish you luck. You will find, though, that there are times when "Mother Nature" will not be kind. People say "let Mother Nature take its course" and my reply is "Yes, I will but I don't have to LIKE it!"

best of luck, Linda...NW Georgia
djohn36755
16 years ago
Hi Linda - Yes I am in Ga - just south of Atlanta. I'm enjoying my blues so much!! I have been taking out meal worms twice a day and if I am late - they start to "fuss" at me :)
So far - the former Chickadee house if empty....
Thanks Linda!
Cindy