My understanding is that as long as it can still be deemed a dummy nest (no cup or egg) then it can still be removed. Because HOWR build fake nests everywhere, they're not really a nest unless they have the nest cup, which they will only put in a "real" nest. Hope this makes sense. HOWR will continue to put sticks in as many boxes as they can, even if you pull them out. If it's just sticks in there, take them out and put them in the trash or far away so it isn't easy for the wren to re-use them.

Kendra,

I understand about the dummy nest - this nest has somewhat of a large sideways depression in it, and no eggs. A few tiny white balls (spider cocoons?) in it - but can I dispose of this nest? I've just never dealt with this before.

I've read all the info on sialis, and installed a Noel guard on the nestbox of the chickadees (only one as it turns out, I guess the others were shopping).

Would you throw the wren nest out quickly before eggs are laid? This wren is very territorial, he was up on the nestbox doing his song not long after I was checking it.
Nervy little guy!

Well, as I mentioned, I put a Noel guard on the chickadees' nestbox and felt good about protecting them from the house wren. I was working in the garden not far from the chickadees' box when I saw one of the chickadees approach their box and fly in place, like a hummingbird, in front of the entrance but unable to go in, as if to say "where did the door go?" The chickadee did this twice and then flew off.

I immediately went over and removed the guard. I thought what good is it if the birds can't get into their house quickly and safely?

In the meantime, the house wren (and I am sure it's the same one) "claimed" and worked on a nest in the third and last backyard nestbox. So one or the other of the wren nests will probably be removed tomorrow.

What a day!

Sorry, Chickadeemelrose. I guess I misunderstood what you were asking. If you've already read the Sialis website, then you know as much as I do. I guess you just have to determine for yourself if it is a completed nest or a dummy nest, then proceed accordingly. I accidentally (by not removing the sticks soon enough) had a house wren nest in one of my boxes a few years back. It was obviously a completed nest when I found it, so I had no choice but to let the wrens have it. I was kicking myself for not being more vigilant. I wish you luck!

When my wren's show up I hang gourds up. As soon as they fill one with sticks, I place another close by and so on.
Keeps them busy and so far I have not lost another nest to them. I have a side yard that I do this in and they can not see the other two bird boxes from this yard.

Thank you both for your help - no need to apologize Kendra, I wasn't sure what help I was asking for!

I am still so new at this I am afraid to take an action such as remove a nest. But I am going to do that today. The chickadees in our yard are such a joy, I feel very protective of them. And having seen the wren take over a second nestbox confirms what I was thinking. I will check the first nest for eggs/nest cup and if they are not there the nest will go. As for the second nestbox, it's in a tree so will take some time to check!

connie-k - Keeping the wrens busy is a great idea. The only problem with that for me is that our three nestboxes are within eyesight of each other, so encouraging wrens to stay in our yard would not be good. Right now I am contemplating moving them farther apart, so I will keep the gourd tactic in mind.

I will let everyone know what happens in the end, whether I outwit the wrens or they fool me...da da da daaaaaa.....

Chickadeemelrose, I would put a wren guard on the chickadee nestbox not a noel guard. A wren guard can be made of cardboard and comes down off the roof to block the site of the entrance hole. Once you know the Dees have accepted the guard you can add sides too so a wren can't see it if it is sitting on the top of the box and looks down over the top.

Donna

Thanks Donna, I will try that.

This little house wren is a pretty busy guy and I want to make sure he doesn't try for nestbox number three!

I will also be removing nest #1 today and reduce his supposed territory a bit.

I just took the dummy nest (and it definitely was one), and I checked the chickadee nest, which has beautiful eggs!
So I put up a wren guard right away, made of sturdy brown cardboard (thanks again, sialis!) I know there is now not much more I can do except keep that little house wren from taking over the yard.

Thanks again friends for the advice -

Sounds great, do watch closely and make sure that the Momma Dee goes in though cause if she is incubating eggs she needs to be in there, you don't want the eggs to cool too much and not hatch.

Donna

Thanks Donna, great advice, I have been watching and today saw the mom chickadee fly into the nestbox around the wren guard, no problem.

I will add sides to it too as you suggested. I really want her nesting to succeed. Those eggs are precious!
And the mom is very tolerant of me, I am often working in my garden with the nestbox nearby on its pole, and it doesn't seem to bother her at all.

I just love my Dees, seems like they nest in a box every other year or so. They really prefer all the natural cavities out here in the woods. They were in a box last year, this year....no Dees in a box. :( I can not protect them in a 20 foot tree, but we have many Dees so I guess they do pretty well on their own. I dont mess with Wrens, they are evicted on site and never allowed to get far enough to build a proper nest. The bird police have not been here! LOL.

Glad to hear she accepted the guard. Hopefully that will keep the nest safe. I have been monitoring two Dee nests in natural cavities this year. Seems when they nest in natural cavities it isn't high in a tree but very close to the ground. The one in my yard is very easy to see in to, just have to be right next to the tree and look down the hole. Mom is very tolerant of me looking in and doesn't get off the nest when I do. I have been checking pretty much daily, just a quick peek to make sure she is on the nest or that the eggs are still there. She just looks up at me and I move slowly away. They should be hatching within a week but the tree is not very big and I wonder how seven little ones will fit in there!

Donna