I'm sorry to hear that Liza! We have too many of them here! The blues have 1 or rarely 2 pairs locally seen and then we get a swarm (5-6 TRES) near a box with the main pair defending it's box and territory. And Kendra, at my paired sight there is a lake on the next property over and 3 on the property behind it. Site #2 has lakes but you have to move a few properties away. Okay so I was there again today. Swallow pair #1 has a completed nest so that box is locked up. At box #2 I approached to see Mr and Mrs. blue perched on the fence behind it. But of course later on I was again dive bombed. (so annoying! I just stood there in protest) Only a couple of pieces of grass in the box. I still haven't decided. Do I wait to see if the blues win out or double it up? I like the TRES, but it's really irritating that everywhere I go for bluebirds the swallows want every box and always seem to outnumber the blues. It doesn't make any sense. Even Dorene Scriven's "bluebird trails" mentions bluebirders giving up hope of having boxes only for the bluebirds. Ever since waging all out war on the HOSP the TRES have shown up. They can't steal a box from the HOSP but if it concerns the bluebirds, of course! They decide to come take it. UGH! The things just irritate the heck out of me! And this property has hardly any space for multiple boxes. There's too many trees and a fence in my way. Ugh. rather depressing nesting season. I've had enough of these TRES.

Carolina Wrens are not destructive like House Wrens. CAWR are cheerful and welcome guests at my home any time! CAWR will nest in many odd places; a nestbox or shelf, a flowerpot, a fallen tree stump, an old boot, a clay pot, a bush, a motorcycle helmet, a hole in a stone wall or mudbank, nooks & crannies, mailboxes, an old hat, a coat pocket, ... surely I've missed a few? Our local garden center had a decorative nestbox on a shelf over the cash register. A pair of Carolina Wrens popped in and out as needed to feed their young surprising many customers, including me! BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/nestscarolinawren.htm

very carefully (with a wide spatula or putty knife) remove the nest from the box, put it in a little paper bag of some sort (plastic will draw moisture which isn't good) and store it somewhere dry. sometime in the future, it may come in handy if an active nest is plagued with ants or mites, etc. as for preventing wren activity, it's pretty much a lost cause (at least in my own experience) once a wren has found the nest box. you may be able to move the box to a different location where you have not yet seen or heard wrens. if the blues nest again, immediately after the first egg is laid, slap a wren guard up and you might have a better chance of a successful nesting. i am holding my breath...i have 4 eggs due to hatch next wednesday, my female absolutely refuses to accept a wren guard and i'm hearing wrens all over the place. ugh!

My husband thinks if we plug up the hole, the wrens will go to the other bluebird box so we'll just keep taking out the twigs. She builds a perfect circle of twigs morning and night. As I walk back from destroying her work if just look over and say, "Sorry little bird." I know it's for the best. I've figured out a way to stop feeling guilty about it; I just have my husband do it! Plus I keep picturing the destroyed bluebird eggs I've seen from what the Wren's can do. Thank you all for your advice. Now we just need our Blue's to start building!