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.

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

Thanks Lisa, that is what I was thinking too but I wanted to make sure. I will just keep the wrens busy pulling sticks. LOL! I was thinking of taking the hole reducer off that box too since I know the chickadees won't be back this year. Maybe then I could put it back up in Fall when nesting is done. There is a male HOSP hanging around lately too but like you said the TRES don't leave their nests unattended so I am hoping they will be ok. We have three boxes with eggs now. The HOSP keeps going into the empty box however seems to not have any female takers as of yet. Of course this is the only box I cannot put a trap inside, found out this year as it is top opening and the sides that come down into the box makes it a bit too narrow for the trap. I keep hoping I can get him at the feeder with the BB gun but so far no go. I may have dh put a house on a movable metal fencepost just to try to get rid of that little bugger. I had one other permanent trap box but a Robin built a nest near it and won't let any bird near that nestbox. Donna

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.