Tag Archives: Carolina Wren

Monthly Journal – December, 2015

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Our wildlife photos for December are mostly of birds.   Of the 22 species shown below, some are migrants, some are winter residents and some are here year-round.  With all the unseasonably warm weather there have been lots of ladybugs.  We were unable to get a photo of our pal the opossum, but take it from us, he’s a handsome guy.

White-throated Sparrow – Zonotrichia albicollis
White-breasted Nuthatch – Sitta carolinensis
Tufted Titmouse – Baeolophus ridgwayi
Song Sparrow – Melospiza melodia
Ruby-crowned Kinglet – Regulus calendula
Red-winged Blackbird – Agelaius phoeniceus
Pine Warbler – Setophaga pinus
Northern Mockingbird – Mimus polyglottos
Northern Cardinal – Cardinalis cardinalis
Mourning Doves – Zenaida macroura
Ladybug on Japanese Maple
House Finch – Haemorhous mexicanus
Great Blue Heron – Ardea herodias
Golden-crowned Kinglet – Regulus satrapa
Eastern Phoebe – Sayornis phoebe
Downy Woodpecker – Picoides pubescens
Common Grackle – Quiscalus quiscula
Carolina Wren – Thryothorus ludovicianus
Brown-headed Nuthatch – Sitta pusilla
Blue Jay – Cyanocitta cristata
American Goldfinch – Spinus tristis
American Robin – Turdus migratorius
Red-tailed Hawk – Buteo jamaicensis

Happy New Year!

Emergency Nest Relocation

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Carolina Wren-2

wren nesting in in a bug zapper

We’re spending a wonderful week in St. Simons, Georgia!  We were delighted to find Carolina Wrens nesting in a defunct bug zapper (resourceful parents).  But we were worried because pressure washers and painters would be arriving any time to spruce up the area.  Delaying the work wasn’t an option, so we consulted some bird experts and decided to attempt moving the house out of harm’s way.  This was a last resort option and we would never move a nest except in an extreme situation and without expert advice.

Carolina Wren-3

midway through the relocation project

We did the relocation step-by-step over the course of a couple days allowing a few hours pause between moves.  We monitored closely to make sure the parents continued regular feedings.  First, we moved a ladder close to the existing house so the birds could get used to it.  Then we relocated the house to the ladder at the same height – this was the riskiest step.  Finally,  we moved the ladder out of harm’s way a few feet at a time, making sure the house was always facing the same direction.

Hooray!  It worked!!!  The parents continued the regular feedings. And two days later we were ecstatic when the chicks fledged.