Well, I guess never mind. I found the mom came back to the most recent nest I thought was abandoned....which is good. Maybe she always hears me coming and flies out.

Oh good- I am so relieved to hear that. I was thinking it's strange to have them abandon the nests after investing in egg-laying. I hope all goes well from this point...

Identify the bird and if it is house wrens don't let them nest. You are allowed to remove their dummy stick nests until they move on. House wrens are very aggresive little birds that like to poke holes in other nesting birds eggs like Bluebirds, Chickadees, Tree Swallows, etc. So most people like myself that provide homes for the birds I just named do not let house wrens nest in their yard because of this reason. Thanks.

I feel the way you do Susan, and just let them be. There doesn't seem to be a big problem with them here. Nature is just doing its thing. I think man has done so much more than certain birds to upset the balance.

Susan / catherinet, you do have valid points, nature is nature, especially when it comes to native birds, but you can also look at it as wrens are more than plentiful as well. You may not have problems with them now but the more there are, the more that will be in your yard and like this year it was cool even in May where I am and most of the cavity nesters in my area were just getting started on their firsts nest when the wrens arrived. I see and hear many wrens in my yard and neighborhood so they obviously don't need my help, they are more plentiful than the other species in my yard and less territorial. They will find natural cavities just fine. You know Eastern Bluebirds nearly became extinct after the introduction of house sparrows and European starlings in the last century. With man's help putting up nesting boxes and doing whatever it takes to protect them they have made a tremendous comeback. I like all cavity nesters and gladly share my boxes with any bird unless the species will do other birds harm. So in my yard, house sparrows, starlings, and wrens are out, and Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Chickadees, Titmice, Nuthatches, and Woodpeckers are in.

tmann05,
I suppose it depends on the habitat as I have many more bluebirds than wrens. I don't let non-native species nest either but wrens are native. I do know how close we came to losing blues and am thankful to all who provide houses. However many people, at least around here, don't take care of the houses, mount them on fence posts or trees etc. And if wrens can find natural cavities why can't bluebirds? Also I do remove the "dummy" nests so wrens don't use all 5 of my houses, but if they get one by me I let them nest. How do you feel about mammals using nest boxes? I was freaked out by a flying squirrel early this year-he actually jumped at me when I opened the box! (I had learned long ago not to stand directly in front). I think they only use them in winter, is that correct? I respect your views and am always willing to learn.
Susan

So glad to hear you have quite a few nest boxes in your area, and you are so right about the people that just buy a house and hang it on a post. I suppose they don't do any research ahead of time because this hobby takes up quite a bit of your time if you have many boxes. Whenever I drive by houses I always spot nestbox's and martin houses and it makes me cringe when I see HOSP taking them. I always want to make a flyer and put it in their mailbox to educate them. I have not had any issues with mammals but that sounds like an exciting experience. I think you are right that they will roost in them in cold weather just like birds. This year I just started monitoring a 6 box trail near a cemetery for someone, in addition to three boxes in my own yard and two at my parents house. I am a bit more active poster on the bluebird nut cafe forum. Feel free to join the community there, it is quite active and I am always learning something new there it seems.

http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/

Tyler