Now I know why the blues did not start a 3rd nest!!

16 years ago

I went out in the field to check for a new blue nest and the box was full of twigs!!! Those rotten #@#@%^ wrens. They have never flown out to the field box so I didn't check to see if they were putting in twigs. The 2nd nest of blues fledged so I cleaned the box out and I was waiting for the blues to come back for round 3.

What do you guys think about putting up wren guards early next spring so when the wrens return they don't see any holes and move on?

Those wrens are the sneakiest birds. I was pulling out twigs all spring and summer and I missed one day and they had a 2" nest and already an egg. In ONE day! I almost pulled it out (I really wanted to) but I left it alone and now I read they come back to where they has a successful nest. Not good news.

Do you think the blues will come back and check out their old box or is it too late?

Karen

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Comments (10)

lisa11310
16 years ago
Rats Karen! I don't know enough about Wrens to be of much help, but I though they did not show up in the Spring until after the first nesting was well underway? I have only seen Wrens the year they logged the next property over. I KNOW they are here so I put up a Wren guard anyway. I have never had a 3rd nesting so I don't know if it is to late here.
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bbcathy
16 years ago
Karen The wrens are coming earlier and earlier each year it seems and causing havoc much later too. It used to be around Mother's Day when they arrived but now it is very early. They are also moving more and more out into the open with their nesting. How far are your boxes from brush or woods? Seventy yards away is preferred but it isn't possible in my yard which is why I use wren guards. I make them from a cheese-it box and have (knock on wood) never lost any blues or eggs to wrens since I started using them. I am a huge believer in sides on a guard as those little buggers are very persistent. If you put them on all the boxes early in the season your blues will probably move on as well. Like spookers you don't put them on a box until after the first egg is laid. I will post pics if you like.
Again I'm sorry
Cathy
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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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bbcathy
16 years ago
BTW Karen do you always get a third nesting where you live??? I never do and I think I'm south of you. I know I'm south of Lisa
Cathy
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bluebirdbabe
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, please I would like pictures. Yes, I usually get a 3rd nesting. I Couldn't figure out where the blues went to and I thought maybe I missed her nest building activities and she was already sitting. I was sooooooooo Pi**ed when I saw the sticks in the box!!!!! Since the blues are done for the season.....I am going to open all of the nest boxes.

Thanks Cathy for the pictures. Also, I am 30 miles north of GR. The blues started nesting VERY early this year so I know there should have been a 3rd nest.

Karen
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bbcathy
16 years ago
Karen-
heres those pictures sorry it took so long to put them up. if you have any questions ask and i will help you.
-Cathy
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bluebirdbabe
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you so much!!!! I can do that!!! Will any box do? Cereal boxes? Please tell your husband thank you too. I see he is the model in the pictures :)

Also, what about after a rain storm, do you make a new wren guard?

I put this on after the first egg is laid correct? Do you know if TRES will accept one? My TRES have learned to deal with the wrens....they never leave the box unattended. Mom is on the nest, dad get bugs, dad comes back and sits on the sparrow spooker and mom leaves. But, it's better to be safe than sorry. I just don't want those dang wrens around.

Do you know those %$#@*% house wrens are bringing sticks
to a box that is open!!! They will not give up and leave!

Thank you again, that was alot of work taking the pictures and posting them. I really appreciate it!!

Karen
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bbcathy
16 years ago
Karen no problem. You put it on after first egg. Any box would do. In fact it's a big joke about the cheese-its but I love them and since it worked so well the first time about 4 or 5 years ago I won't use anything else! LOL What happened is I had blues and eggs in a box way in the back of my yard (first nest of the year) and all of a sudden I heard that dreaded sound. I had planned to make one out of wood with sides on it but hadn't got around to it yet. They came the earliest I'd ever seen that year and my husband is a carpenter so of course we always have wood around but hardly ever have any tools around here. I had to leave that day and so I had to come up with something quick. All I had was duct tape and that was my biggest box. I have had the same one last 2 nestings with no problem but I put a lot of tape on the inside of all the corners and those front corners too. I just screw it to the sides of the top of the box like you would with the mono fishing line for hosps and maybe tape the top and sides down to the box or you can tack it on with finish nails driven part way in and just bend them over or use thumbtacks. Make sure you have at least 2 1/2" of clearance so they can get in. I completely cover the hole so mine come down pretty far but I haven't had any casualties since I started using these.

Karen just make sure they can figure it out. Sometime young birds will have a problem with this BUT eventually they always find their way in. The couple this year was not very bright. I had to take it off the second morning so she could lay her next egg and I put it right back on when she was done. She got it the third day. My Tres have been vigilant enough to not need one but one lady on Bet's site has used a guard with Tres successfully. I just think it kind of goes against their grain. You know the way they look out of the hole for each other and change places so fast.

You know what I'd do with those wrens? I'd take a piece of cardboard and tack it to the front of the box covering the hole and run some duct tape down the outside corners so it looks like the guard from the front. I do this with empty boxes in my yard to try to teach them when they see this it means no entry just in case you have a persistent bird it may help next year.
Hope it helps
Cathy
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bluebirdbabe
Original Author
16 years ago
How do you monitor the nest box with the cheese it box on it? The blues use a box that opens from the front.

Good idea about the cardboard over the holes....maybe they will get the idea not to come here nest year.
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bbcathy
16 years ago
I have front opening boxes too. I just open it up and it's not that easy but it works. If you just connect it to the top of the box you can literally just flip it over up onto the top. I usually duct tape it along where the edge is so water doesn't run down the inside of the thing.

Funny every time I try to type next it always comes out nest too!!
Cathy
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bluebirdbabe
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL Cathy, I do it every time "next"...."nest" I usually catch myself. Guess I missed this one. Glad to know I am not the only one.

Karen
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Now I know why the blues did not start a 3rd nest!!

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Now I know why the blues did not start a 3rd nest!!

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