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Wren guard

18 years ago

Hi, everyone. Just a quick question. I know it has been answered before, but I cannot find the post. How many days after the babies have hatched is it safe for me to remove the gaurd?

Thank you! Rebecca

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Comments (5)

dzyg
18 years ago
After day five the babies should be large enough that a wren couldn't pick them up and toss them from the nest. However many people leave the wren guards up longer than that for extra protection. It needs to come down before fledging though.

Donna
janie_may
18 years ago
I have no idea when they would be "positively" safe but I'd wait at least 7 to 8 days with bluebirds and 12 to 13 will smaller species like Chickadees or Nuthatches.

Linda had a thread here regarding a titmouse baby, 13 to 15 days old, still being harassed by HOWR entering the box. It was a single baby, the HOWR had already gotten rid of the others when they were younger, but the HOWR didn't seem to mind that it was close to fledging age and too large to physically remove. Thankfully that little TITU did fledge safely.

In my last nesting of BHNU I left the wren guard on till they were 14 days old.
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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.
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I would try again if you have wrens in your area. Some birds just take longer to figure it out than others. I know it is gut wrenching to watch but it is for their own good. I've had to take it off too and try again so don't feel bad. Does it have sides? No sides does help at first but I recommend adding them. I have seen wrens repeatedly crawling all over a box trying to find a way in. I've done this for 6 or 7 years now and the Blues always find a way in eventually. I had a female last year that was not getting it at all. I had to cut a flap in the guard right in front of the hole and tape it back so she could see the hole and when she got used to that I taped it back down. Is there at least 2 1/2" in front. I leave 3" at least until they get used to it. Good Luck Cathy
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They shouldn't of had a problem with the guard if you had it up like an extended roof, do you have sides on the guard or just the front part? That being said I did one year have a pair of Blues not accept a guard. I couldn't watch but I put it up during egg laying and when there wasn't an egg laid the next day I took it off and she laid her egg in the afternoon instead. Figured I couldn't jepordize the eggs and left it off. Somehow we got through that nesting without the wren bothering them. They both wanted to box at first and I was freaking out! I say try again with it just up, if you see them go in (it may take a bit as they will be very wary of it) then put it down but maybe shorten it at first so it isn't as long as it should be, once they accept that then make it longer. If they won't accept it when you have it on but just up then maybe they won't accept it at all. Once she begins incubation though I wouldn't mess with it anymore as she needs to stay on those eggs. Good luck! Donna
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bluebars
18 years ago
JanieMay, I remember that video. It was difficult to watch. What a nasty little HOWR that was! Brutal even.
BlueBars
bbcathy
18 years ago
Rebecca I have a lot of wrens and I leave mine on until day 15 or 16 with my blues. I know that seems like a long time but they always all fledge. Good Luck
Cathy
rebecca57
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks, everyone. I will leave it up for 8 days to be sure. I do not actually SEE a lot of wrens as I kept removing their nests as they built. However, I do HEAR one and want the Blues to fledge!
Have a great day!
Rebecca

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