Okay..it's not purple martins. But I've found a cool way to provide housing for Carolina wrens, by accident. They love to nest in an old bucket hung up under the canopy of a porch or inside in an open garage. I have a pair building and chirpping away.. as I type, in an old metal bucket I hung under a porch awning. I also put pine needles in the bottom of it. Spring has sprung in St. Louis.
John Miller
And five martins back in Forest Park this morning...two males and three females.
Carolina wren housing -- what's working
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Craig Haddox
- Posts: 444
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
- Location: Missouri Washington
John, I have Carloina Wrens around my yard. I will hang a bucket under my porch and see if they are interested. I also have 6 martins now. 3 males and 3 females.
No Carolina wrens here in South FL, but will try the bucket idea in my other home in Port Orange FL. What size bucket John?
Last edited by Julio on Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"We can judge the heart of man by his treatment of animals." - Immanual Kant.
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Al Denton
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:31 pm
- Location: Carolina Shores NC
- Martin Colony History: New site and housing for 2018...Trendsetter 12. 1 pair of subs. Fledged 5...2019...11 pairs
Wrens will settle on a rubber boot too 
Several years ago they built in one hanging from the shed. We almost had a terrible accident one day when putting it on 
...anyway, I wasn't able to wear my boots that summer.
Several years ago they built in one hanging from the shed. We almost had a terrible accident one day when putting it on ...anyway, I wasn't able to wear my boots that summer.2018-new site...1 pair
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Julio
I used a plain metal "mop" bucket. This one ..says "no. 10" on the bottom.
John
I used a plain metal "mop" bucket. This one ..says "no. 10" on the bottom.
John
Interesting!
How do you hang it? straight up and down? sideways? at an angle or how?
How do you hang it? straight up and down? sideways? at an angle or how?
Martha
2016 - first pair 2/18
2015 - 18 pair
2014 - 15 pr
2013 - 11 pr. & 1 single SY male
2012 - 6 pr.
2011 - 1 pr.
2010 - Hoping for a lot more!
2009 - 1 successful nesting pair!
2016 - first pair 2/18
2015 - 18 pair
2014 - 15 pr
2013 - 11 pr. & 1 single SY male
2012 - 6 pr.
2011 - 1 pr.
2010 - Hoping for a lot more!
2009 - 1 successful nesting pair!
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
MM
Carolina wrens are flexible, so long as the bucket is secure and under the cover of the garage, shed or porch. I was helping do some work at an old farm house over a few years and noticed that each year the wrens built in an old bucket hanging on a nail on the inside wall of the garage. My bucket is hanging straight down from a a small aluminum beam in a porch awning. I drilled a hole in the beam and used no. 10 solid strand copper wire (kind I use for gourds) to hang it. I think these birds like a deep open pocket out of the rain. I've seen them build in hanging flower pots too, but the bucket is nice and deep and sheltered.
Carolina wrens are flexible, so long as the bucket is secure and under the cover of the garage, shed or porch. I was helping do some work at an old farm house over a few years and noticed that each year the wrens built in an old bucket hanging on a nail on the inside wall of the garage. My bucket is hanging straight down from a a small aluminum beam in a porch awning. I drilled a hole in the beam and used no. 10 solid strand copper wire (kind I use for gourds) to hang it. I think these birds like a deep open pocket out of the rain. I've seen them build in hanging flower pots too, but the bucket is nice and deep and sheltered.
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Guest
John, I have hung multiple houses up for carolina wrens to nest in, but I have one here that insists on building on a metal ledge that is the framework of our porch. This in and of itself is not a problem, but we have a couple of cats that love bird for dinner, and it's not a safe location at all. I'm constantly having to run her out. Maybe I'll hang a bucket out on the storage shed and see if she will find it. Thanks for the idea. 
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Guest
we had a pair of house wern nest in the pocket of an old work coat on the back porch at my grand parents farm.
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
growing up, we always had Bewicks Wrens around. I never knew what a House Wren was. Now, they are rare as heck and House Wrens are all over. I really like the Bewicks Wren's song. They used to nest in sheds/tractors, etc. They are by far my favorite wren.
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Guest
Carolina Wrens are used to nesting in my gramma's hanging baskets. They flutter when she's there watering but don't abandon the nests at all.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Starling shooter...
I'm not a serious birder..maybe what I've been calling Carolina wrens is a Bewick. Whatever they are they are one of my favorites too, a little larger than the house wrens and hanging around in winter too. I'll do some homework on it. John
P.S. Well..enature says Bewicks like farm country, where you are. Carolina wrens are slightly larger. But since I'm in the city, must be Carolina wrens.
I'm not a serious birder..maybe what I've been calling Carolina wrens is a Bewick. Whatever they are they are one of my favorites too, a little larger than the house wrens and hanging around in winter too. I'll do some homework on it. John
P.S. Well..enature says Bewicks like farm country, where you are. Carolina wrens are slightly larger. But since I'm in the city, must be Carolina wrens.
I have both Bewick's wrens (smaller, lighter color) & Carolina wrens(reddish color)nesting in my back yard. The Carolina wren has laid 5 eggs in a nest she built on a bakers rack on my back porch in my garden bag( 2nd year same place). It was full of my potting tools & a friend gave me a smaller bag (I know I'm not supposed to disturb native nests but I needed my tools 
) & I gently put her nest in the smaller new bag. I will need to move the bag outside the fenced in area because I have 2 Cairn terriers(Toto dogs) the are "critter hunters" & the fledglings won't live to fly if they don't get off the ground. I think once they hatch & are vocal I can relocate them without a problem.
The bewick's wrens are using a small gourd I made for the martins & decided that the entrance wasn't starling proof. It has a porch & is about 5 1/2 ft high & hanging in a tree. They are the loudest little birds!!!
I am enjoying them until I get martins...
I thought I was going to get BB's this spring but I keep finding a wasp in the box & I think they moved on!
) & I gently put her nest in the smaller new bag. I will need to move the bag outside the fenced in area because I have 2 Cairn terriers(Toto dogs) the are "critter hunters" & the fledglings won't live to fly if they don't get off the ground. I think once they hatch & are vocal I can relocate them without a problem.The bewick's wrens are using a small gourd I made for the martins & decided that the entrance wasn't starling proof. It has a porch & is about 5 1/2 ft high & hanging in a tree. They are the loudest little birds!!!
I am enjoying them until I get martins...
I thought I was going to get BB's this spring but I keep finding a wasp in the box & I think they moved on!
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starling shooter
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:43 pm
- Location: Central MO
Like Parkereds said, "they are the loudest little birds". John, Pretty sure you've got Carolina's. They stick around all winter and even sing in Janaury.
I put up 20 or so small gourds for whatever on the farm I grew up on. House Wrens have dramatically expanded their range as far as I can tell...likely at the expense of Bewicks. Now they are singing all over and it is rare to hear a Bewicks....25 years ago it was just the opposite. You'd never confuse a Bewicks once you heard it's song a couple times. Of course Carolinas and House Wrens are really loud guys too.
I put up 20 or so small gourds for whatever on the farm I grew up on. House Wrens have dramatically expanded their range as far as I can tell...likely at the expense of Bewicks. Now they are singing all over and it is rare to hear a Bewicks....25 years ago it was just the opposite. You'd never confuse a Bewicks once you heard it's song a couple times. Of course Carolinas and House Wrens are really loud guys too.
John, I have a half basket container hanging on the wall on my back porch especially for the Carolina Wrens. It's the woven kind and I added some mosses and fake ivy. They nest in it every year, sometimes twice, and spend winter nights there as well. They can choose some of the oddest places for a nest and are such a joy to have around.
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Guest
I always get my wife a hanging plant for Mother's Day. We usually hang it beneath the roof of our covered patio. We always have Carolina Wrens build a nest in that plant. They work so hard and sing so loud. One of my favorite bird sounds.