Birding/Baby Wrens

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/5/2008


Question
Today we had 5 Carolina wren fledglings leave a nest at the same time because they were startled by a nosey human.
Apparently they hung around the backyard for awhile and then took refuge under a bush that has English ivy has a ground cover.  The parents were feeding them at this location.  This afternoon, with the aide of the parents, they (fledglings) made their way back to the original nest for nighttime.  It was quite a sight to see "mama" try to both feed and round up the youngsters into the nest before dusk.  Is this unusual for fledglings to return to the nest for this species?  I thought once they flew the coop, that was it for the ordinal nest...Thanks for your help..

Answer
That is a surprise to me. I know Bluebirds never go back. That was a smart mother. Do you have Bluebirds? If you do please send me your mailing address as I have something important to send to you. Bluebird Bob. PS - I just had a pair of Carolina Wrens raise a family in a bicycle helmet in my garage, and they had to get into the garage under a crack in the door!

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Bluebird Bob Walshaw

Expertise

I can answer almost any question on Eastern Bluebirds and small cavity nesters such as Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens, etc. Also general questions on other songbirds. No pet bird questions please.

Experience

I have had a 100+ nestbox trail for more than 20 years, I do a lot of writing, public speaking and educational work in this field. My hands-on Bluebird talks include more than 1000 people each year.

Organizations
Oklahoma Bluebird Society, North American Bluebird Society, National Audubon Society, Oklahoma Audubon Society, Oklahoma Fur Bearers Alliance

Publications
Bluebird Magazine, Oklahoma Today, Fur-Fish-Game, Birds & Blooms, Nature Society News,Back Woodsman Magazine, Tulsa World, Broken Arrow ledger, Teaching Tolerance magazine,Trappers World, OK Hole Story, Birders World

Education/Credentials
Degree in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA, Graduate of the Home Study Course in Bird Biology from the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Oklahoma Master Naturalist. I am also a pofessional speaker and writer.

Awards and Honors
Chosen as a public speaker for the North American Bluebird Society, Bluebird trail accepted as part of the Transcontinental Bluebird Trail, Chosen as a panel speaker at the 2006 NABS Convention.

Past/Present Clients
Many

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