Hi, Randy! Good to hear from you! Is this bird smaller than a House Sparrow? I have a little guy I just saw outside that looks quite similar. He is reddish brown (at least compared to HOSP) with white streak on each cheek like your image. I just saw him hopping around on the ground in quick, jerky movement, flicking tail as he jumped. Also at the feeder. Love the image! Susan

I've been hearing the "cheery, cheery, cheery" song a lot this spring/summer. It's a bit similar to the Tufted Titmouse's "peter, peter, peter". My Crossley ID guide states that this is their best known song. Truthfully, this is the first summer I have kept track of passerines so I cannot compare to what is typically sung around here by that species. Today I heard the three syllable "teakettle, teakettle, teakettle" version. Carolinas change up their song so much. This post was edited by TMFF on Sat, Jul 6, 13 at 17:46

Hey Susan.....I went out and carefully checked on the nest and the little ones seemed fine. But they next day they fledged. So I'm thinking the mom was yelling at them to get going! Your experience was really cool! It must have made you feel really good to help them! Pat......hmmmm....isn't that curious that you haven't seen any yet? They are pretty neat birds. They're always finding funny places to nest. One year, we had a table saw on our covered porch with a tarp over it through winter. We went to use it in the spring and there was a nest of baby wrens under the tarp! So we had to wait until they fledged to use the saw. haha I'll tell some of mine to come your way!

Thanks for your reply. I agree they're smarter than we are and you are probably right about leaving them alone but I'm a little worried about that fern basket falling apart. One morning recently, while it was still dark, I turned on the porch light and saw one of the wrens huddled in the corner and wondered why he wasn't in the basket. I think I may still put the gourd up. If they don't like it they probably won't use it.