I have Carolina Wrens nesting in a hanging plant pot on my deck. They were actually there last summer too....they had a brood last summer and again this summer. It's so much fun to watch them. I think the babies were born last Sat as they have been coming back and forth quite frequently with food. Oddly enough I don't notice them singing until after the babies are born. Everything I read said they do not use the same next twice, but they refurbished the nest from last year and to my delight are back....I'll be so sad when they leave.

This is an issue which I have encountered many times in the past. Those silly Carolina Wrens will always choose the oddest places for their nests! You can hang all the wonderful "Wren" boxes that you want, and they will ignore them and go and build a nest inside your garden clogs. :0) It is VERY common for them to sneak into garages and find a little nook to build in. I had them build inside a Walmart bag that was full of rags and hanging inside my garage. I ended up moving the whole bag of rags with the nest inside to the outside wall of my house underneath an eave. Do you think that my neighbors thought that I was a bit "off" when they saw me hanging a plastic Walmart bag full of rags onto the outside of my house? LOL.. The Wrens went right to that bag and hatched, raised, and fledged their brood from it without problems!! So, I say, good for you!! I think that you did just the right thing. :o)

These little cutie pies are one of my favs! I've had them nesting around my house for several years, and they are well known for nesting in very unusual places! A friend of mine had them nesting in a football helmet on a shelf in her garage! I find it best not to peek at them at all, but you can observe from short distance. As long as the parents are going in and out, everything should be OK. As fledging draws near, don't be alarmed if the parents are not frequenting the nest as often as they did when the babies were young. I was fortunate to see a group fledge last year, but this year, they fledged when I was not at home! They are such fun little birds to watch!

Carolina Wren update: Mommy Wren did return and there are a total of 4 eggs. I've been using the kitchen door with occasional use of the front door. This little lady is not afraid of me at all. I will softly talk to her, when I do go out that door, and I see no fear or nervousness in her eyes. I am anticipating babies any day now. This wren couple has been here since I moved in 4+ years ago. This will be my 5th Spring with them. The wheel well above my car's front tire has always been a spot they've picked for a potential nest. Its been a bit of a game with us. Every morning I would go out and remove the nest. By the time I woke up the next morning another would be in its place. Last Spring they chose a nest they built in a small storage shed by the kitchen door. Unfortunately, a snake got the eggs within 3 days. The Christmas Cactus that she is nesting in is one of a pair. They are equal distance from the edge of the wooden plant stand they are on. The stand is 3 ft high. They chose to build in the plant that is closest to the door. There had to be a reason for that. Thank you for all of your help.