The nest may be infested with mites, or something. If the baby doesn't want to be there, something about the nest is not good. There is a rehab facility in Walnut Creek, The Lindsay Museum, phone number 925-935-1978, located at 1931 First Ave. I don't know whether you live in that area. This URL has addresses and phone numbers for various rehab facilities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. http://www.parentspress.com/wildliferehab.html If you live in another area, you can call your local animal control for rehab referral. Lorna

Holcombee: What kind of wren? I'm guessing maybe Carolina? I doubt she would fix it, but I have no real reason to say that. It just seems to me from observation that birds are more fixated on feeding the babies than anything. I don't know how she'd be able to fix the next from the top with the babies in it. I also wonder if she would notice that the bottom of the nest was in need of repair and/or have the sense to do anything about it. Having said all of that it is merely speculation. If the babies do fall out, the parents will still attempt to care for them if they are healthy, but they are likely to become the prey of another bird or cat or night predator. I guess if you do decide to shore up the nest somehow, you should make a solid plan and have a helper ready to hand things to you or run for something you may need. The parents are likely to be somewhat upset, and you want to be able to work as quickly as possible. I have used a deep bucket in which to carefully place the babies (I pick up the whole nest and babies by scooping it up with two hands). I cover the bucket with a towel so that the babies do not become prey or get overheated by the sun. Then I have fashioned nests out of similar materials making sure to try to work the materials into a cup by putting my thumbs into the middle. I just try to get it as close to the old nest in shape and materials as possible. Once I have the new nest in place, I then replace the babies carefully. In the cases that I have done this, they have always been in a nest box, so it is easier to be sure the babies will stay put afterward. The real danger here is if the babies are of an age that they could jump ship and you cause them to fledge prematurely out of fear. Can you tell about how close they are to fledging? Are the eyes open, do they permanent feathers yet? If they are close to fledging, I'd leave nature to her work. This is not an ideal solution, and I'd only use it if absolutely necessary. I think if you are able to add anything under the nest, that would be the best thing. This is one of the reasons that there is such mortality rates in songbirds under one year. Good luck and keep us posted.

Awwww..so sorry to hear of this. That storm came through my yard too, and took one of my Bradford Pears down. It landed across my driveway, and luckily did not hit the house or our basketball goal. Gosh, it came through really fast. If you are not seeing them back at the house at all, then they have abandoned the nest. You don't need to wait the 2 weeks to remove the nest. Give it a few days, and when you are sure that they have abandoned, go ahead and remove the nest. Maybe they will build there again. There is still plenty of time.~~Angie

ttodd, Spectacular close-up shots....simply amazing! amysrq, Isn't it wonderful? As many times as I've watched it, I never get tired of it. Nature's wonders. goldgirl, There have been a few times I've sat down to watch my Hummer visitors, only to notice a couple hours later how quickly time had gone by and I hadn't accomplished a darn thing. Watching those little jewels becomes addictive....be careful! :) Mine have gotten so used to me being outside working the gardens, they don't even flinch when I walk by. In fact, a few actually follow me around and some actually look right at the camera when I'm ready to take the shot. Addictive, I tell ya. In a goooood way. :) For all the Hummer Juicy I make, I need to take out stock in C & H Pure Cane Sugar. Coming in for a Landing. I'm changing the plants in an old iron bird cage and my visitor sits on the bird cage door, watching what I'm doing. This guy just kept fluttering in front of me, checking out the thing in my hand....my camera. Lunch Bell for the Newbies. I added color to the Juicy so they would see it. After they learn where it's at, I no longer add the color. I'm stringing some Morning Glory in through Chix Wire of a homemade topiary. This little Jewel stuck by me all day so I called him "My Groupie".