skip to main content

Carolina Wren Nest Wrecked

17 years ago

Hi everyone.

I usually post on the Bluebird Forum, but this year I have several different nests going and everyone is having trouble.

A Carolina Wren built a nest in a storage cabinet on my deck. All was going well - everytime I looked Mom was sitting there so I didn't have a chance to see if there were eggs or not.

Well today I got to see. The nest was torn up! At the bottom under all the leaves and stuff were 4 little eggs. I left it alone hoping she'd come back, but no such luck. I have seen a couple wrens in the yard, but if the Mom is out there, I don't know where. Also, don't know what to do with the eggs. Should I try to "rebuild" the nest and put the eggs where she could see them in hopes that she'll come back? Or because they've gone this long without incubation will they be ruined anyway.

It's so strange to see these perfect little eggs when everything else is a mess! Whatever happened, it didn't happen to those eggs.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I live in the Atlanta area.

tara/fairychick

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

donnalovesblue
17 years ago
Tara, I would leave the eggs alone as there is a good chance Mama hasn't really abandoned them. She knows where they are. Carolina wrens normally build a dome shaped nest and will add material on top to conceal it. I had them nesting last year in a wall planter and the only time I checked the nest was before she laid eggs and you couldn't even see the nest, as the bottom seemed pretty deep into the dirt.

Since you posted this on Friday, do you have an update? I'd love to know.

Donna
fairychick
Original Author
17 years ago
I've watched and waited but the mother hasn't returned. The nest is completely destroyed. One of the eggs was broken, but the others look fine.

The original nest was dome shaped, but sideways. She was really well hidden in there and protected. No telling what got into it...a cat most likely.

I've just started seeing a couple of wrens around again, but none near this nest. I hope she'll build another one and try again.

Thanks for your response and caring.

tara
Related Discussions
Carolina Wrens nest in fern
Q
Comments (3)
I have Carolina Wrens nesting in a hanging plant pot on my deck. They were actually there last summer too....they had a brood last summer and again this summer. It's so much fun to watch them. I think the babies were born last Sat as they have been coming back and forth quite frequently with food. Oddly enough I don't notice them singing until after the babies are born. Everything I read said they do not use the same next twice, but they refurbished the nest from last year and to my delight are back....I'll be so sad when they leave.
...See More
Carolina Wren nest
Q
Comments (5)
This is an issue which I have encountered many times in the past. Those silly Carolina Wrens will always choose the oddest places for their nests! You can hang all the wonderful "Wren" boxes that you want, and they will ignore them and go and build a nest inside your garden clogs. :0) It is VERY common for them to sneak into garages and find a little nook to build in. I had them build inside a Walmart bag that was full of rags and hanging inside my garage. I ended up moving the whole bag of rags with the nest inside to the outside wall of my house underneath an eave. Do you think that my neighbors thought that I was a bit "off" when they saw me hanging a plastic Walmart bag full of rags onto the outside of my house? LOL.. The Wrens went right to that bag and hatched, raised, and fledged their brood from it without problems!! So, I say, good for you!! I think that you did just the right thing. :o)
...See More
Female cardinal stole Carolina wren egg from nest?
Q
Comments (20)
How wonderful , I would definatly send this story and photos to Cornell http://www.nestwatch.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=577 , It would be a great story to put on the Cornell nestwatch site. May even want to send to Birds and Blooms mag, they love these stories and we are talking about an unusual nesting in flowers!! I think you get some kind of compensation if B&B uses your story. www.birdsandblooms.com keep us up dated!
...See More
A Question about A Carolina Wren Nest and Eggs
Q
Comments (13)
Hi! A couple weeks ago we noticed 2 Carolina wrens building their nest in our fern right outside of our kitchen window. We were so excited! Then a few days ago we no longer saw them around and sadly thought that they had abandoned their nest. This morning we were talking about removing the nest from the fern and when I peeked, I saw 5 eggs! Now we are concerned if they have abandoned their eggs :( Is this possible? We haven't seen them around at all. What time of the day do they incubate? Would it be possible that we are missing their timing? We are not morning risers. Agh! I'd be so sad if by any chance we scared them away :( We have been very respectful, however sometimes we would open the window. I do not know how long the eggs have been there. I thought that as soon as they were close to being done building their nest, they had left. Do they first build and then lay their eggs? Thank you so much!
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING FOR BIRDS What to Know About Birds Nesting in Your Yard

By Mitchell Parker

Learn how to observe, record data and help ornithologists with NestWatch’s citizen science project understand bird trends

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Northeast Gardener's April Checklist

By Paintbox Garden

Revel in the wonders of spring by babying bulbs, sprinkling seeds for root crops and setting out some nibbles for the birds

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: Marvel at Chickadees This Winter

By Habitat Network

These North American natives flock to bird feeders and entertain with their complex birdcalls

CITY GUIDES Houzz Travel Guide: Atlanta for Design Lovers

By Becky Harris

You'll find world-class museums, restaurants, hotels and shops in Georgia's woodsy, welcoming and charming capital

LIFE Retirement Reinvention: Boomers Plot Their Next Big Move

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Choosing a place to settle in for the golden years? You're not alone. Where boomers are going and what it might look like

FALL GARDENING Houzz Call: Show Us Your Fall Color!

By Annie Thornton

Post pictures of your fall landscape — plants, leaves, wildlife — in the Comments section. Your photo could appear in an upcoming article

HOUSEPLANTS How to Create an Indoor Landscape

By Olander Garden Design

Apply principles and elements of design to help your indoor garden flourish

Sponsored

Preferred General Contracting, Inc.

15 Reviews

Fairfax County's Specialized, Comprehensive Renovations Firm