Declaration of Independence…Bluebirds vs House Wrens
Happy Independence Day, everyone! Well, it’s not quite July 4th, but by the time many of you read this, it will be. We here at the Heiser household are seeing this holiday in a new light after reading through Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little Town on the Prairie (the seventh book in her Little House series). In one chapter, Wilder recalls her family’s first July 4th celebration in De Smet, Dakota Territory (later South Dakota) while she was a teenager. She, Pa, and Carrie go into town together dressed up for the occasion. There are horse races, lemonade, and firecrackers, but the highlight of the time is a somber, respectful reading of the Declaration to the gathered town which rouses everyone’s patriotism and appreciation for God’s blessing upon the country. To be sure, it was a different time…
Now, if you’re an American reading this blog, when was the last time (or first time?) you read our Declaration of Independence? It’s an amazing work that will only take you five minutes or so to do, and it will remind you of the blessings our country enjoys and what so many gave their lives to secure. We’re making it a new, annual tradition in our home starting this year. I invite you to join us. Here’s a link to the text. Fireworks and picnics are great, but this wonderful holiday was established to remind us of something important…to remember something significant…our God-given freedom. We have taken it for granted too much lately, I’m afraid.
And on that note (yes, this does all relate to birds somehow), look at the mess of sticks our chattering house wrens have now loaded up inside the bluebird box! I’m not sure where the room for eggs, nestlings, and a parent would be. Quite a “nest” indeed! But this territory had been previously claimed…
Yes, the bluebirds we love and hold so dear have indeed returned and are not giving up this space without a fight. It’s something they hold sacred, this little home of theirs, and they believe it’s worth fighting for. They’ve been sitting on it, chasing house wrens away, and peeking inside at all the chaos. It’s almost like someone has stolen their home, their land.
Well, here at Dave’s Bird Watching blog (and Dave’s house for that matter), we believe in a cause such as this. Who among us would stand by and watch as another’s home is stolen? Who will stand in the gap with those who would have their home invaded by tyrants? Who will rise up against such brash thievery in broad daylight no less?! Who would fight for freedom…life, liberty, and the pursuit of bird happiness?!! A bird’s home is sacred. And bluebirds, you have a friend in us. We (seeing that there were no eggs inside…and I checked first) come to your aid in this hour and fight for you!
You are free of these squatters, and their crazy furniture is removed, nay banished from these premises! Be free, be fruitful, and multiply in this humble abode! We bid you a warm, “Welcome Home!” Oh yeah, there was a cool moth on our front door, too. :-) Dave
P.S. No house wrens were killed or harmed in the making of this blog.
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Comments
Yeah Rah—the Heiser Family to the rescue!!!!! Good for you!!! I would have done exactly the same thing… Good Gosh –those crazy wrens really make a weird nest!!!!!
Hope they are gone for good and hope the bluebirds start nesting again SOON.
Great post about our freedom. We all do need to read the Declaration of Independence every year. Think we will do it also!!!!! we do take our freedom for granted.
Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Hugs to you and your wonderful family,
Betsy
Happy 4th of July!The Bluebirds had better be grateful for all the help they are getting at your house.:)House Wrens are very persistent,so good luck.
Blessings,Ruth
Birds are so crazy. This spring I put out a new Bluebird house 6 feet from the ground on one of the deck posts, almost immediately there were a set of Bluebirds moving in.
Apparently a local backyard Robin did not like them being there and chased them away after about a week. Which is weird because across the yard and up about about 12 feet from the ground is another house where I have Tree Swallows every year. The Robin doesn’t bother them (I don’t think it could even get close to em they are so fast)
A set of House Wrens have moved in to the Bluebird house and have been there ever since. This past week some Bluebirds have come back and were very angry that there were Wrens in that house. We had to keep the windows closed to the backyard they were making such a racket.
I had a spare Bluebird house out in the garage and went and put it up on another deck post about 6 feet away facing 90 degrees from the other one and within minutes the fighting stopped and the Bluebirds have now moved into that leaving the Wrens alone.
I hope there won’t be anymore fighting next year, cause I am running out of deck posts and houses.
Nature’s struggle at its finest!
I love the house wrens, too…they have the sweetest, most melodious song….
but the bluebirds WERE there first….they gotta remember to lock the door if they go on vacation, that’s all!
Catching up after my unexpected absence. I loved the little guy’s blog and (much as I love wrens) I’m glad the bluebirds have regained their home.
Our little town reads the entire Declaration of Independence on the courthouse square every July 4th. Sorry I couldn’t make it this year but I’m looking forward to next year.
I think the wrens did the same thing to two of my houses. I never checked as it is late in the season for laying eggs, but will find out come this fall when I clean them out.
Hello :) I’ve been following your blog for a little while now, I even went back a few months to read your posts, I love it! I’ve learned so much about bluebirds, thank you!! I have yet to see one, I cannot wait for the day I finally get the chance to. Looking forward to read your future posts, again thank you, for sharing your wonderful stories and pictures :)
I’m so glad I found your blog! I also had a similar experience.. well, almost identical! I noticed earlier today that my bluebirds’ home was crammed FULL of sticks, & was instantly puzzled. My husband suggested that maybe a kid had done it, but I was skeptical. The sticks were (somewhat) neatly packed into the box, which we had previously had to screw shut due to a faulty latch. When I unscrewed the door, I couldn’t believe what I saw! So I decided to do some research. I am glad I found you! I enjoyed your story, and felt like we must be very much alike in our love for the Eastern Bluebird. I, too, removed all the sticks, which I had guessed might be the work of another bird, even though it didn’t look like there was any room at all for any bird to fit inside! I just hope and pray my Bluebirds come back home! I miss them already! God bless you and all the other bird lovers out there!
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Yeah for the NC Volunteers for Blue Bird Happiness!! I’m sure your blues are very happy they have resided in your backyard…you are a great patriot to help them win their house back..united we stand..divided we fall!!
:)