Wrens Nesting In Mailbox

by Libby Levin
(Norfolk, VA)

Mailbox Carolina Wrens

Upon opening my mailbox one morning, I noticed a lot of leaves and pine straw and thought it had been blown in from a bad storm the night before.

I removed it and low and behold, more appeared the next day. I realized that this was not debris from the wind so I left it in the mailbox.

The next morning there was a cute Carolina Wren with a mouthful of leaves, etc. waiting on the deck rail and inside the mailbox was another who was already arranging the furniture!

I quickly decided that I had to take immediate precautions to protect the nesting event, and that would be to prevent mail from being put in the box.

I made signs on the computer to alert the postman and also put up a temporary "alternate" mailbox on the other side of the door and marked it "mailbox."

So far, with a few exceptions, the mail personnel have been compliant.

I have not seen any eggs yet, but I am hoping that this will take place.

I have a feeder not far from this area which is always very active with various species of birds and many Carolina Wrens, as well.

Have never seen them before this Spring.

It is interesting that this wren likes to sweep out the seeds at the feeder more than eat them there, and then they and all their friends have a party on the ground to eat them.

The negative side is that it empties the feeder much too quickly, so I think I will put up a sign for them to be more conservative!!!