Over the years I’ve had many Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) nests built here at my cabin. At least one out by the vegetable garden in a bird house.
Another in a five-pointed star bird house on the porch.
And in what seems to be a favorite spot, in an antique graniteware coffeepot hanging from the porch ceiling. That coffee pot was found here, down by the very old, pre-1905 cabin. My seven year old granddaughter says the coffeepot looks like a white and black cow, with its spots. I think that’s an apt description. The coffeepot is not only their favorite nesting spot but also a favorite spot for snuggling in at night, no matter whether it’s the coldest cold of winter or the warmest of summer nights.
Nesting activities are taking place right now. In very early May a pair of wrens were going hither and yon, gathering and placing just the perfect bits, using a basket that is also hanging from the porch ceiling as a landing spot. A spot to jump from, into the coffeepot.
Endless trips back and forth bringing all sorts of stuff, from pine needles to leaves to a bit of aluminum foil from the grill.
Now, add a bit of a complication. Our porch is getting a repair job. Work on the repair had not started when the nest construction began. But once the new lumber arrived along with hammers and saws, well you can just imagine the sounds. The pounding, the sawing, more pounding. So much commotion. But still the little wrens continued.
And then the time I had dreaded arrived. Moving day. The coffeepot was hanging from the ceiling at a spot where it would be absolutely in the way. Time to move it where it and the residents would be safe. AND when the coffeepot was brought down from the ceiling, a joyous revelation. Four tiny eggs. Seven-tenths of an inch long. Six-tenths of an inch wide. That tiny. Moved to a spot that will be away from the action, within fifteen feet of where the coffeepot had been.
I watched with great apprehension and finally one of the parents showed up where the coffeepot had been but within less than a minute the coffeepot was spotted and accepted. That tense time was twelve days ago. Mom has been sitting on her eggs nearly all the time now. Carolina Wren Moms do leave the nest occasionally. And now when will the eggs hatch? In twelve to sixteen or twelve to seventeen days, depending on which source you want to depend on. That means soon! I can hardly wait!
