House Wrens Settle Comfortably in Bluebird House

Working in my yard this spring is a joy. After all the spring rain we’ve had, our clay soil is easy to dig and weed. Moreover, with the promise of no frost in the 10-day forecast, I’m starting to plant annuals to bring more color to the yard.

A few days ago, while weeding a flowerbed in my backyard, the little house wren that has taken up residence in our bluebird house, gave me a fierce scolding because I was invading the wren’s territory. My husband built the birdhouse several years ago and it has been used by eastern bluebirds in the past. However, the last few years, our bluebirds have decided to summer elsewhere.

No matter though because we’ve enjoyed the various residents who have found the house quite comfortable. We’ve not only had wrens stay the summer but black-capped chickadees as well. Unfortunately, the common English sparrow shows up to investigate and take over the place. We discourage them by removing the nest before they lay eggs. However, they are relentless. House sparrows will go as far as to break another bird’s eggs or even kill a rival just to get the house.

Therefore, when it was apparent this year the bluebirds weren’t interested and the wrens were as well as those troublesome sparrows, my husband put a smaller opening on the house to prevent access to the entrance except for a smaller bird like the wren. Right after that, that pair of wrens began flying around the yard and twittering to each other. I like to think they were thrilled with the new door and that the sparrows were no longer a threat.

The pair of wrens are now happily going about their business and singing their brains out throughout the day to make their presence known. They even feel it’s necessary to remind us everyday around 6 a.m. that all is well in the wren world.

So while weeding my flowerbed for the third time this spring and preparing it for some annuals, one of the house wrens felt threatened by my presence. As I said earlier, I was scolded for daring to come so close to the house he was protecting.

I started my weeding at the end of the garden away from the birdhouse, which must have given the birds a chance to reconsider if I was a threat or not. The scolding stopped and there was silence for a while. I suppose the silence merely meant they were convening with each other. By the time I was working under the house itself, there was no reprimand. Instead, the two of them decided the best course of action was to entertain me with one of their sweet serenades instead.

As I type this, it is raining again and my gardening will have to be on hold for now. Nevertheless, it’s comforting to know that while I can’t work outside today, the little house wrens are safe and preparing for their new family. Even if the bluebirds have decided to rebuff us this year, the wrens are happy and will, no doubt, sing to me again the next time I’m working in the yard.