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blue nest on top of HOWR nest

13 years ago

Hi all,

I have four bluebird boxes. This year three were claimed early by TRES. The fourth has been the target of HOWR dummy nests. I've removed about three or four nests. I have been out of town for a week. Before I left, I removed the latest dummy nest. Today when I inspected the boxes I found that there were HOWR sticks an inch or two up on the floor and a bluebird nest on top of the sticks! I was so surprised, I didn't think they would do that. So .... is any one else surprised or is this normal?

I have never used a wren guard, but I assume that in this case I had better do so? If so, when do I put it up? (and where do I get one?)

Thanks!

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Comments (2)

lisa11310
13 years ago
Yikes! Thats a new one on me! The Wrens know the box is there......not sure the guard will work. You are going to have to observe whats going on out there if you can. Maybe the Blues ran the Wrens off but I still wouldnt trust them to not come back and toss eggs or babies. This is a new pair of Blues right? I guess I would waite for the first egg and try the guard. There are Wren guard instruction on sialis.org I make mine out of cardboard and duct tape.
dzyg
13 years ago
Either last year or the year before I had a Bluebird and a wren trying to build a nest in the same box. First the wren and I removed the sticks, then a Bluebird started her second nesting and the wren added sticks on the layer of grass, which I again took out. I did this for a few days when finally the wren must have given up cause the Bluebird went on to finish her nest, lay the eggs and all the eggs hatched and fledged. This box was at a park near our home so I couldn't add a wren guard as I couldn't watch to make sure it was accepted. I worried all the time about them but apparently the wren must have given up.

This year the BLues down there fledged their first nesting about two weeks ago. I keep checking for the next nest but so far nothing. The daddy Blue is always there when I check the nestbox though so I know they are planning another nesting only thing is I hear a wren right in the area too singing away so I am afraid he wants that box too but so far no sticks in there.

Good luck, hope your wren stays away from the box now.

Donna
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Hey Donna, I recall someone else saying the same thing this year that while the mom was building the dad was taking stuff out. I have/had Blues nestbuilding for the last week, started a week ago Sunday. I thought the nest looked done by about Thursday but saw her taking stuff in yet on Saturday but not anymore after that. I did see the Dad go in there on Sunday and take a blade of grass out and then sit on the top of the nestbox pecking at it. I think he is getting impatient for eggs or something. LOL! I saw him do this twice now where he went in and then came out with just a tiny bit from the nest in his beak. I was thinking maybe I had an egg today as they are staying pretty close in the yard for once but not yet. Of course I am gone tomorrow and that will probably be the day, I want to get that sparrow spooker up asap as I keep seeing a female HOSP in the yard however I haven't been able to get any shots at her with the bb gun. I did however get Dad to find the dish of mealworms today, it is just on the grass under a tree. He has come and eaten a few several times but so far hasn't shown or shared with mom. Oh and I have TRES babies today!! I looked so quickly I am not sure how many hatched but there were six eggs and now there are only one or two and a pile of hatchlings. The Dees should be hatching any day now too. Donna
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Fran, you might consider changing the location of the nestbox. Did you use a wren guard on the bluebirds' box during the first nesting? Usually you must wait for the blues to build and then put the wren guard on after the first egg appears, but some have put the wren guard on before (especially if it was used in a previous nesting and the birds are used to it). Did you allow wrens to nest in your back yard? I remove wren nests from all of my boxes as soon as they start building--they never have the chance to become a viable nest. I think if you allow them to nest then the fledglings will return to your area next year and be on the lookout for housing as well. Kathy
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Wow sorry Linda, I hear your pain. We have HOWR here every summer and we did lose 1 egg (of four) in July 2007. But I don't think our wren situation is as difficult as yours seems to be. We see them nearby occasionally, and often hear them not too far away. But we chase them off if/when any come on our property. And our parent Blues (Missy & Mr.B) both discourage them ferociously if they ever come near Missy's box. This pair has successfully fledged 41 baby blues in the past 3 seasons (8 completed nests with a 9th underway), without a single loss of either egg or chick to the wrens. We've made our decision not to use a wren guard for reasons we are comfortable with. And frankly we've heard just too many accounts of HOWR destroying nests in boxes that had wren guards installed. We know that many bird lovers willingly allow and even encourage House Wrens to nest and breed, and this can lead to their forcing many other songbirds out of a habitat completely. (The same could be said of the House Sparrows). So, I'm not sure how to offer you specific advice or comfort. I fear it will be up to you and your Bluebirds to overcome your local HOWR problem. Best luck to you and your birds, Kenn Here is a link that might be useful: Kenn & Temple's Bluebirds
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What kind of nesting material? I would take out the new nesting material and make sure the nestlings are ok and just observe and make sure the nestlings are being fed. Do you have any idea on how old the nestlings are? Are they feathered yet? Good luck! Donna
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