sorry- she most likely was scared off. I think they're very cautious birds to begin with so she may be too terrified to return. They're very vocal at this time of year; if she's still around you would've heard her by now. I would leave the nest just in case she or a house wren shows up....

Tara, I would leave the eggs alone as there is a good chance Mama hasn't really abandoned them. She knows where they are. Carolina wrens normally build a dome shaped nest and will add material on top to conceal it. I had them nesting last year in a wall planter and the only time I checked the nest was before she laid eggs and you couldn't even see the nest, as the bottom seemed pretty deep into the dirt. Since you posted this on Friday, do you have an update? I'd love to know. Donna

Anita, I have a similar situation in that my bluebirds are back for a second brood. The house wrens didn't bother the box during nest building (and the box had been empty for about a month and there were no sticks). Mama laid her 1st egg this morning and this evening, a house wren took out that egg and smashed it at the base of the box. I think that now I'd say "the rule is that there are NO RULES!" I've had house wrens attack several eggs or several chicks, never just one egg. As far as putting up a wren guard, the problem you have is that the house wren has been in the box. And where there is one house wren, there are usually more near by. The reasoning behind the general rule of putting the wren guard on the box when the 1st egg is laid is that the female is less likely to abandon the nest if she can't figure out the wren guard. It's also hard to say whether your female is 'with egg' and I'd hate to see her not be able to get into the box to lay her 1st egg, if that makes any sense. You could wait till it's afternoon and the bluebird hasn't laid an egg and put it on. If she can't figure it out, I'd take it off till the afternoon of the next day, etc. Good luck, Linda in NW GA...

I think wrens will build a nest anywhere they can possibly fit into. Had one on a tractor where a gauge had been removed. And that tractor was being used. But ----- one year I had one of those decorative ceramic houses and sure as heck a wren built a nest in it. Sad to say the babies fried. Had to take them out with forceps. Please do not use these houses for birds. They are an oven and no circulation. Sorry for hi jacking your post!!