Hello all! I have a bit of a situation.. a lovely pair of Carolina Wrens recently made a nest in a bucket full of horse bandages on a shelf in my garage here in middle Tn. The eggs hatched about a week ago, I believe there are 5 chicks, I have only ever used a camera to zoom in from a distance so as not to disturb them… it’s bad enough I’m always in and out of there and so is my German Shepherd, this cannot be avoided.
I always notice the parents flying in and out carrying insects and can spot them sitting on the nest. But today was different.. I noticed firstly that the chicks were LOUD, every time I was out there, they were vocalizing the whole time (seemed like every time they saw me) and when I’d look over there, I could see even from where I was standing that they had their heads up and mouths agape begging for food because I could make out that telltale yellow on the mouths. I did not see the parents at all, which was unusual. At no time today did I observe them coming, going, or sitting the nest.
Now it’s night time, and we’re having a cold spell.. the temps are in the 30s.. I let my shepherd out at least twice a night every night and the babies are alone. I’ve never not seen a parent sitting on them at night. It’s so cold.. and I am worried. I have never gone close to the nest because I fear that my dog (who doesn’t even know the nest is there) and I have already been enough of a disturbance.. I also have a pet peacock who does not enter the garage (the door is mostly shut so he can’t enter but the wrens have room to fly in) but he is quite loud and always around (it’s mating season and he’s obsessed with me, lol). Is it possible that they have abandoned the nest because of all of this?
And if they have.. how can I be sure without disrupting them? If they’re truly on their own now, I will of course call a rehabber. I just don’t want to make a mistake here. I feel terrible and I’m so worried because of the cold. Thank you!
I always notice the parents flying in and out carrying insects and can spot them sitting on the nest. But today was different.. I noticed firstly that the chicks were LOUD, every time I was out there, they were vocalizing the whole time (seemed like every time they saw me) and when I’d look over there, I could see even from where I was standing that they had their heads up and mouths agape begging for food because I could make out that telltale yellow on the mouths. I did not see the parents at all, which was unusual. At no time today did I observe them coming, going, or sitting the nest.
Now it’s night time, and we’re having a cold spell.. the temps are in the 30s.. I let my shepherd out at least twice a night every night and the babies are alone. I’ve never not seen a parent sitting on them at night. It’s so cold.. and I am worried. I have never gone close to the nest because I fear that my dog (who doesn’t even know the nest is there) and I have already been enough of a disturbance.. I also have a pet peacock who does not enter the garage (the door is mostly shut so he can’t enter but the wrens have room to fly in) but he is quite loud and always around (it’s mating season and he’s obsessed with me, lol). Is it possible that they have abandoned the nest because of all of this?
And if they have.. how can I be sure without disrupting them? If they’re truly on their own now, I will of course call a rehabber. I just don’t want to make a mistake here. I feel terrible and I’m so worried because of the cold. Thank you!
