Very interesting behavior for the Wren. I have several bluebird houses and for some reason, they always choose one that is not meant for bluebirds! this year the male is guarding 2 that are identical and never meant for nests in the first place -ornamental. My husband had to put a door on the back of both so we could clean them out when the birds are done. The Wrens, Titmice and Black capped Chicadees all checked them out before the blue birds laid claim. Now Mr Blue Bird has appointed himself as backyard garden patrol and no other birds are allowed near those houses. He is as aggressive as some Mockingbirds I have seen. Here is a link that might be useful: Garden tips, birding, plant and art articles

Cathy I am so sorry to hear about your Dees! I would be heartbroken too to loose them like that. We were excited when we had Dees nestbuilding and very dissappointed when they were run off but it is better than what you are going through. Hosting birds is so very nerve wracking, sad at times and so much joy at times too. I am playing the wren game here, they are now nest building it two different houses. I keep emptying sticks, they keep adding them. Luckily I guess we only have TRES nesting now in the seven other boxes and still one empty box as I guess they are better prepared for the wrens than the other birds are. They worry me sometimes though when it gets cooler like this weekend did, only the two incubating were anywhere to be seen, the other birds were missing in action, checked the nests yesterday afternoon and two other pairs have eggs (3 each) the eggs were ok but I know it doesn't take those wrens long to do their dirty work. Donna

It was raccoons that got the first failed Bluebird nest, because they were good sized nestlings and one morning they were gone. So something got them overnight. I then baffled the snag using sheet metal flashing, and that DOES work for all climbing critters, but that didn't stop the House Wrens who got the final nesting. I knew it was wrens because I found an eggshell on the ground that had a tiny hole in the shell, and the Wrens were flocking around the nest hole later in the day (poor Blues). Dante, I can't speak for Lisa, but I don't "eradicate" House Wrens as they are native birds, just don't encourage them. They like brushy, shrubby areas (as do many birds, such as Cardinals and all Sparrows), and I've removed most of that. Also you can remove their sticks from a nestbox where they start to build a nest. Goldfinch, when the Blues were nesting, I did do a little House Sparrow control. I had a nest box installed on the side of the house that had a Van Ert trap in it. There are not a lot of House Sparrows here, but that did remove a couple of males that were trying to nest in the yard and may have posed a threat to the Blues.

Thanks for your support, guys, I REALLY appreciate it. The nestlings are about 11 days old now, so they will be fledging in about a week. I think it might just be best to leave them as they are and try not to disturb them too much by installing more baffles nearby. In all honesty I have been praying every day for them to stay safe, and they have, and I will continue to do so. Over the years, many sparrows have nested in this location before I became obsessed with Blues, and I have NEVER seen a cat/raccoon/snake climb the swing (everybody knock on wood for me please). As soon as the babies fledge, I am planning on moving the box to a baffled electrical conduit pole, and hoping for a second nesting! Thanks to everyone and happy birding.