Thanks everyone. I don't raise them inside like alot of you do. I don't really want to do that. Yes, I started realizing too that all the plants with worms/bugs on them are fair game for the birds. Oh.....don't worry about the birds around here not being fed! We have 35 acres of woods and fields......most of which makes berries/seeds/nuts/ and grows tons of bugs and worms! :) I think the wren with the nest in the swingset in the garden is getting more used to me. It doesn't scold me as often. Its fun hearing the babies yelling for food, when mama comes back with a bug or a worm. Here's a pic I got of one of the parents coming out of the swingset. Hmmmm.....maybe it will get those milkweed bugs! haha I just can't believe that they can stand the heat out there, but they seem to come back every year and do it again. Its 91 out today and I hate to think what the inside of the tube is. I think I'll put an umbrella up over it.......but I don't want to confuse them. Maybe the milkweed will offer some shade. That milkweed is almost 8' tall! It all blew over in a storm last week, but I put it all back up with a bunch of bungee cords and its doing fine. :)

Well Dirtgirl, I just couldn't stand seeing your post not get answered anymore! I didn't respond earlier, because I've never seen foil in my carolina wrens' nests. It's very interesting though! Those birds find the strangest/funniest places to build their nests! One year, we had our table saw on our big, covered front porch, with a tarp over it (yes, we're pretty fancy here), and those little guys built a nest right under the tarp! Fortunately, we didn't need to use the saw for awhile. I have tarps for an awning in front of my chicken coop, that I keep drawn up in summer, and pulled down in winter, to keep the wind out. Well, there's a nest inside that drawn-up tarp now. In the winter they sleep on a ledge right outside the chicken coop. As part of my nightly ritual in the winter, of closing up the chickens, I shine my flashlight up there, and make sure there's several pairs of feet. They are cute little guys!

Very interesting behavior for the Wren. I have several bluebird houses and for some reason, they always choose one that is not meant for bluebirds! this year the male is guarding 2 that are identical and never meant for nests in the first place -ornamental. My husband had to put a door on the back of both so we could clean them out when the birds are done. The Wrens, Titmice and Black capped Chicadees all checked them out before the blue birds laid claim. Now Mr Blue Bird has appointed himself as backyard garden patrol and no other birds are allowed near those houses. He is as aggressive as some Mockingbirds I have seen. Here is a link that might be useful: Garden tips, birding, plant and art articles

Carolina Wrens are not destructive like House Wrens. CAWR are cheerful and welcome guests at my home any time! CAWR will nest in many odd places; a nestbox or shelf, a flowerpot, a fallen tree stump, an old boot, a clay pot, a bush, a motorcycle helmet, a hole in a stone wall or mudbank, nooks & crannies, mailboxes, an old hat, a coat pocket, ... surely I've missed a few? Our local garden center had a decorative nestbox on a shelf over the cash register. A pair of Carolina Wrens popped in and out as needed to feed their young surprising many customers, including me! BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/nestscarolinawren.htm