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Birding/Nesting wren info needed

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Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/14/2008


Question
Two Carolina wrens have built a nest in an overturned water pitcher by our back door.  It's about 5' off the ground on a corner stand.  We have dogs that are totally disinterested, but we go in and out all day.  I believe mom is now nesting on the eggs because today is the first day she's been in the next in the afternoon and for greater periods of time than the preceding days.  I need to water plants on the deck and want to know incubation habits to disturb her the very least.  How long will she take off the next to eat at a time and approx how often will she leave to eat?  Also, I have multi-seed feeders on the deck.  Should I put a sunflower only feeder out to help her during this time?  Anything else I can do, besides limiting outside time for the dogs right now, to help them be successful?

Answer
Congratulations! They usually tolerate close human activity very well. I had a pair raise a brood in a bicycle helmet in my workshop where I was walking by the nest many times a day. Also they will not pay any attention to the sunflower seeds as they are insect eaters. If you have or are interested in Bluebirds and other small cavity nesters please send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book that will make you an expert. Bluebird Bob.

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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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