Wow, Matt this is not advise because I am not really sure what to do in this case. I think you have a pretty good chance with the TRES, they seem to know all about Wrens and just wont give them the chance to get in. If it were "my" Blues I would put a Wren guard up anyway. I would keep removing a few sticks to keep the Wrens building to try to buy some time for the Blues, when are they hatching? I would also open up the other box in case they felt the need to build a dummy nest and keep removing a few stick there too. Here again I am just thinking out loud as to what I think *I* would do. I have only had one Wren attack (resulting in a failed nesting-lost eggs) and that was when they were logging on the next property over. The only thing I can say for sure is that I would never allow them to nest in one of my boxes. They are here, I hear them now and then, if they stay in the woods and do their thing fine....but I will not assist them in any way.

I checked the boxes today,The blues are fine,The wrens have their first egg,but there are no sticks in the box,only leaves,some fine grass,and other odds and ends,I think the female built this one on her own,since I was removing sticks just about every day,she did this over the weekend.Now for the real crazy thing,The TRES have 1 egg layed today,BUT THERE IS NO NEST!only a few pieces of grass ,Thats it!The egg just on the floor of the nest box.They never did complete their nest,Just started friday.The nest beginings look the same as they did on Friday,I am 99% sure.Should I build a nest for them?I do have some white feathers,I had been saving from our pet cockatoo,the ones she molts out.I had planned on tossing them for the TRES.These TRES have only been around for a few days.Maybe they were out competed at another nest site,and this is egg dumping,But they do guard the house.

matt

HoWR will also remove other birds' nests, as well as add sticks. I've watched them completely remove a bluebird's nest, piece by piece, just little things kept flying out of the hole every second. Didn't take them long, either. Little buggers.
BlueBars

Matt I think it sounds like a Carolina Wren's nest you have there and they pose NO threat to any other birds. CAWR don't use sticks. I've never seen a HOWR nest without sticks. Go to sialis and look at the nests of CAWR. They are great birds and a joy to have around. I would not allow HOWR to nest in a box as they multiply fast come back to the same area each year and if they were raised in a box I think they tend to use boxes afterwards instead of looking for a natural cavity. I always use wren guards except for on the TRES nests. They seem to do fine without them as they never really take their eyes off the box. I would make a nest if she lays another egg. I wouldn't make it very deep at first so as not to spook her. If she accepts it I would put more grass underneath it. Maybe throw out some feathers for her to add.
Good Luck
Cathy

Bluebars,
I have kept a very close eye on this nest box,The TRES nestbox never had anything in it,except a few pieces of grass,They have only been around for 4-5 days These nestboxes are at my job ,so I am able to monitor them very closly.I think maybe this pair was out competed at another site and this is a result of her being ready to lay.

Cathy,
I am 110% sure this is a HOWR,I removed the sticks 2 days before,I am very familar with the CAWR,this is not one. I would love for it to be a CAWR,Then I could relax.But so far they have not bothered the TRES box.When HOWR nest, the male adds the sticks(base of the nest)The female builds the rest.(the soft stuff)I think what happened was, I removed the sticks,She was ready to lay,so she did her part of the nest building,so she had a place to lay.Look at the link below at that HOWR nest.

Now about the TRES,
I did monitor the box at 10:00 am this morning,there was a 2nd egg.It looked like she added a few more pieces of grass,but both eggs were against the side of the box.I did build a low nest with a cup,and added the eggs to it,I did see the female hanging out in the opening of the box later in the day,I will check again tomorrow,to see if the 3rd egg is layed in the "nest cup".Is this late for a TRES nesting?

Matt

Here is a link that might be useful: HOWR

Do not handle bird eggs. I hope Bet doesn't mind my directly quoting from her web site at http://www.sialis.org:

"Â NOT a good idea to handle eggs unnecessarily! Eggs are so small and fragile that they can crack just from being picked up. Chickadee eggs can break if you just touch them lightly to see if they are warm or to count them. If a brooding female is picked up to count eggs, she may grab an egg with her feet and when it drops, it can break. The oil on our hands could prevent eggs from hatching (by interfering with respiration.) I don't mean to yell at anyone or make folks feel bad - I just want to provide some information and share my opinion for your consideration."

Matt:

As I mentioned, the chickadees here fledged last Friday. Since then, the male HOWR, who has a nesting female 15 feet from the former dee box, has shown no interest in adding sticks to the former dee house. He shows no interest in adding sticks to another box about 200 yards away.

If I can remember correctly from last year, he will be busy as the primary provider of food for his chicks in a couple weeks. He will be busy catching bugs and flapping on the top of his house.

After that, I cannot remember what I did last year. I know there wasn't a second HOWR nesting but I don't remember if it was due to my taking down the box to prevent it. I know I didn't want to encourage him.

No offense taken Bluebars I did answer that part of Matt's question on the other forum and realized that after I had already typed another one over here. I did explain that a plastic spoon should be used to CAREFULLY handle the eggs over there. I should have said that here as well for the benefit of the new folks. Thanks for the clarification.
Cathy

I checked today,she did lay the 3rd egg in the "nest cup",I also saw her take a feather into the box,that was this morning.I did not see them for the rest of the day.I will just keep watching.I have not seen any aggression from the HOWR ,also the HOWR has stopped his all day singing.

For the record, I did carefully move the eggs with a plastic spoon as suggested.

Chescobob,This Wren will NOT get a second nesting in this box.I will plug the hole when they are done,I will be moving this box across to the other side of the parking lot for next year.

Thanx for the responses and advice everyone.I will keep you posted.

Matt

Well,
Strange turn of events,The TRES have abandoned the 3 eggs and "nest",They decided to use the box the wrens are in (they have four eggs)They got in the Wren's box and have be defending it all day,I even saw the female taking in nesting material.I did not check the box.The wrens are showing no interest in the TRES first box.I am hoping the wrens decide to move on.I think it is great the Wrens are getting a taste of their own medicine.I will not be able to do a nestbox check again until monday.I will keep you posted.

Matt