We’ve seen, in an earlier post (Flicker Didn’t Read Instructions), that the birds don’t always agree with the instructions given to humans who manage nest sites.  One such instruction is to remove the nest after the nestlings fledge.  The primary reason for the instruction is to eliminate pests (i.e., bird mites) that inhabit nesting material — providing a clean nest box for each brood.

Well, my birds are on to me.  This year, the Eastern Phoebe started refreshing her nest within one hour of the prior brood fledging — a clear message to this human:  LEAVE MY HOUSE ALONE!!  The Carolina Wrens, however, were the first to demonstrate a difference of opinion on nest removal.  At least one Wren pair starts nest building in February.  Their first brood fledges in mid-March.  In 2016, I tore the Wren nest down right after the four nestlings fledged — per the “instructions”.  As the video will explain, I now leave the first Wren nest of the season in place for at least a week after the young fledge.