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Two Successful Broods

16 years ago

Hello all,

I thought I'd posted a question here about a year or so ago, but I can't seem to find it.

At the time, I'd just set up bluebird boxes and had attracted chickadees, tree swallows, and bluebirds. Later that year, I found out a wren was nesting in the one box. I was told I'd have trouble here on out--I'm not sure what happened to the parents, but in the fall/winter, I removed the nest--they had already laid eggs months earlier but they had never hatched.

I've not seen any since and have had the bluebirds raise two broods so far. ~smile~

I just had to share and give an update--although, I'm now wondering if I posted this elsewhere before.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Native Backyard

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Comments (5)

kendra2003
16 years ago
You sure are lucky the wren egg didn't hatch. That's great news for your Blues. Hopefully the wrens won't come back next year since they were unsuccessful this year.
dapjwy
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I did luck out. Actually it was LAST year (my first year with the bluebird boxes) that the wrens showed up. I was actually excited because I remember having Carolina wrens where I grew up and I liked them a lot. These were not the Carolina wrens, and I found out they were very detrimental to bluebirds.

I was kind of bummed after hearing all the feedback last year about the wrens and that I'd have no future bluebirds.

I have since taken down that house and left only the two in the field. This year I had bluebirds twice and tree swallows once.

I also had some phoebes nest twice under our eaves! It was a busy year here! =) =) =)

Here is a link that might be useful: A Native Backyard
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dapjwy
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I forgot to add that the wrens did not come back this year...yet? I'm guessing they won't.
I'm assuming something happened to the parents. I've heard that they build dummy nests, but I can't imagine they'd lay "dummy" eggs!

Here is a link that might be useful: A Native Backyard
ohsoblue77
16 years ago
The House Wren is the bird you're discribing. Carolina Wrens are awesome. House Wrens on the other hand are destructive to many of our native cavity nesters.

I battled House wrens for two years. Eventually I beat them out by placing nestboxes far as possible from brush.

I had bluebirds at another site this year. Although there is a long story, I'll stay short. 2 pairs raised 3 babies each, and a wren has showed interest at one box. It didn't show up until late though. They love brushy areas but later in the season they travel farther into the open. Check out sialis.org. It has tons of info
dapjwy
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, house wren--I was having a senior moment, even though I'm only 41 and just couldn't think of the name.

I'm glad you were able to beat them. I hope you don't have any more problems with them.

The two boxes that I left up are away from brushy areas. I'm so thrilled to have the bluebirds --something I've wanted since I was a teenager.

I'm enjoying the birds and other wildlife that are making use of my yard. Today I saw my first monarchs, and later in the day, I noticed two of their caterpillars. I'm not sure how old the larva are, but obviously the adults had been here for a while before I spotted them.

Here is a link that might be useful: A Native Backyard

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