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Bluebirds Fledged-Wrens Moving In-UGH!

13 years ago

My six bluebirds fledged this morning! Yay. A successful brood. I cleaned the nest out.

Already a darned wren pair are trying to take over the nesting box and have sticks in it. I am cleaning it out, but how can I keep them away so Mama Blue can come back and rebuild for her 2nd brood? I don't want wrens to prevent more blues.

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Comments (3)

bluesoblue
13 years ago
I am still new at this whole protecting our bb houses, I have learned the hard way twice and now IM coming here for some great advice, which I am getting and you will also. I thought someone told me that if you clean the bb nest out after fledging to leave it open for awhile. Mama bb will be busy with her baby's. IM not really sure but I do think this was suggested to me? If not someone will set you straight soon. Congrats on the six fledglings, that is huge!! After watching video of wrens and sparrows raiding and killing bb's IM pissed and ready to rip their little heads off. (oh my) LOL good luck.
mlkbskt
Original Author
13 years ago
I do have the door open but just for the rest of the day yesterday and all day today. I plan to close it up again tonighty after it dries out. (I sprayed it yesterday with 10% bleach solution and then clear water.)

I'm fearful that because the wrens know the hole is there that they will come back and do damage if I get a 2nd brood. Last year they killed the babies of my 2nd brood the day after they were born! I was heartsick, believe me.
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House wrens are only a threat to Bluebird eggs and new hatchlings until they are about 6 days old, after that the wren can no longer pick them up and throw them from the nest which is what a wren will do to baby birds. If you had almost fully grown babies killed in the nest it was probably due to House Sparrows, the wren maybe came afterwards and filled the house with sticks. If you have wrens in the area once the Bluebird lays the first egg you can install a wren guard, but you would need to watch closely to make sure the Blues accept it, some don't. A wren guard is made of cardboard and comes down off the front of the nestbox and down to conceal the hole of the box from the frontal view, sides can be added to prevent a wren on the top of the nestbox looking down over and stills seeing the hole. Info on this is on the sialis.org site. Also to prevent House Sparrow attacks you can add a sparrow spooker to the nestbox once the first egg is laid, it is to be taken down right after fledging. This info is also on the sialis site. Good luck! Donna
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I'm really sorry your babies were taken and the nest destroyed. Is the nestbox on a metal pole with a baffle? If not, that could be the problem. Raccoons are everywhere, even if you haven't seen one. If the box is mounted on a wooden pole or a fence it is easy for a raccoon, a cat or any other climbing animal to get to it. If you haven't already looked at the sialis.org website you should spend some time reading and make sure you have a proper setup. You know, even when you are being really careful sometimes tragedy just happens. I don't put out any feeders at all because I'm afraid of bears coming around for food. I know the birds have plenty of natural food and if they can't make it out there then maybe they shouldn't.
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Hi Michelle, Congrats on the baby blues fledging!!! Those wrens are a pain!!! They have taken over 2 boxes and I just keep pulling twigs. I put out grape jelly 4 the orioles. I get tons of them. This is the first time EVER I have had 3 orioles nesting in my yard. Last year there was 1 nest. They like 2 build in the choke cherry trees. That's where all 3 of them built their nest. Yesterday I could hear the babies cheeping and I kept watching, but the little buggers left when I wasn't watching. They are a joy to be around, and because they built so close to my house, they can hear my voice and they have become quite tame. I mean they will come to the jelly feeder when I'm standing on the porch. I can't wait for them to bring the babies back. If u have orioles around try grape jelly....they LOVE it!! Best of luck!! Karen
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kendra2003
13 years ago
The wrens will more than likely not give up once they know that house is there. Any chance you could put up a second house for the Blues to use? Make sure the entry hole can't be seen from the original house. My Blues never re-nest in the same house. I supply multiple houses for them, and they always choose a new one for their second brood. So I think you'd have a great chance of getting them to re-nest without worrying about the wrens killing their young.

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