Holcombee: What kind of wren? I'm guessing maybe Carolina? I doubt she would fix it, but I have no real reason to say that. It just seems to me from observation that birds are more fixated on feeding the babies than anything. I don't know how she'd be able to fix the next from the top with the babies in it. I also wonder if she would notice that the bottom of the nest was in need of repair and/or have the sense to do anything about it. Having said all of that it is merely speculation. If the babies do fall out, the parents will still attempt to care for them if they are healthy, but they are likely to become the prey of another bird or cat or night predator. I guess if you do decide to shore up the nest somehow, you should make a solid plan and have a helper ready to hand things to you or run for something you may need. The parents are likely to be somewhat upset, and you want to be able to work as quickly as possible. I have used a deep bucket in which to carefully place the babies (I pick up the whole nest and babies by scooping it up with two hands). I cover the bucket with a towel so that the babies do not become prey or get overheated by the sun. Then I have fashioned nests out of similar materials making sure to try to work the materials into a cup by putting my thumbs into the middle. I just try to get it as close to the old nest in shape and materials as possible. Once I have the new nest in place, I then replace the babies carefully. In the cases that I have done this, they have always been in a nest box, so it is easier to be sure the babies will stay put afterward. The real danger here is if the babies are of an age that they could jump ship and you cause them to fledge prematurely out of fear. Can you tell about how close they are to fledging? Are the eyes open, do they permanent feathers yet? If they are close to fledging, I'd leave nature to her work. This is not an ideal solution, and I'd only use it if absolutely necessary. I think if you are able to add anything under the nest, that would be the best thing. This is one of the reasons that there is such mortality rates in songbirds under one year. Good luck and keep us posted.

It is quite odd. Is this nest a Carolina Wren nest or a House Wren nest? House Wrens will toss other House Wren's young, but as Lisa said, they are not open nesters, so that would be unusual. If the babies were older, I'd guess nest parasites or heat could cause them to jump too early, but from your description it sounds as if they're too young for that. If a House Sparrow wanted that spot, I suppose they would toss out young from the nest. Try to keep an eye on it and let us know if you see anything. If you do see any House Sparrows near the nest, try hanging a strip of mylar above the nest to keep them away.

Never mind. I went out this morning and the nest is destroyed and babies are gone. I feel so bad :( I wish I had been gentler when searching. I know it's my fault. But once it happened there was really nothing I could think of to do to make it right. Oh well.. :(

I can't really see anything particularly wrong in those photos. Good drainage is important as these are epiphytes. Their roots grow along tree bark and through mosses. They don't normally touch any soil. The problem could be the soil is too heavy and the orchid bark isn't enough to offset it. Epiphytes don't usually like much fertiliser compared to ground plants. The mainly survive on rain water which normally only contains carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. The rest comes from decomposition of organic matter on the tree trunks. Normal fertilisers are a bit heavy for them and can burn the roots. Of course burned roots means no water getting to the plant. Having a couple of plants in one pot isn't unusual. If they're grown from spore they're germinated in masses of small plants. When they're separated out to replant in pots it's easy to overlook a couple of plants being together. In nature they also germinate in large masses but competition leaves very few survivors. I don't know (only guessing) but maybe one plant is stiffling the other. Out competing it as happens in nature. Separating them may be a solution.