Caroline Wrens Are Cute And Frustrating
When I looked up at the corner ledge on my back porch at dusk the other day and saw a tiny wren settled down there for the night, I got to thinking what amazing little creatures these little brown birds are.
The ledge where it roosts allows only an inch of foot hold for the bird but I suppose that’s all it takes for it to be able to comfortably sleep.
The vast majority of wrens we see in our part of the country are Carolina wrens. They’re everywhere and to be so tiny, their call is so loud and sharp you almost have to put your hands over your ears.
The internet describes them this way…”The Carolina wren is a common, non-migratory bird in eastern North America, identified by its reddish-brown plumage, buffy underparts and a prominent white eyebrow stripe. Known for its loud and musical song and ability to build nests in unusual places like boots and mailboxes, the insect-eating bird thrives in dense vegetation and suburban areas.”
Let’s talk about wren’s nest building. I have had a couple of instances where wrens built nests in strange places; one where I was prevented from going fishing until the little ones hatched and were fledged under the seat of my bass boat.
The most unbelievable one, though, took place several years ago when I owned a little Honda CRV, you know the car that has a spare mounted on the rear.
One day I had an appointment to meet an angler for an interview over on Lake Bistineau so I headed out early that morning and spent the day fishing with him, getting photos and doing my interview.
Late that afternoon after returning home, I walked behind the car to hear strange rustling coming from the vicinity of the spare tire. I peeked over to see what it was and, to my surprise and consternation, there were five baby wrens fully feathered and ready to fledge peering back out me. I had taken these little babies on the ride of their life, unknown to me exposing them to a day with little bellies growling I’m sure wondering if mama and daddy had forgotten them.
Mama and daddy were 50 miles away wondering where the heck their babies and their nest had gone. Early that morning, the little ones were nestled in the nest behind a spare tire in my driveway but now everything had vamoosed. Likely as not, I had occasionally driven the babies to the post office and grocery store and the parents were confused for the hour I was gone. One hour is one thing but all day 50 miles away is something totally different.
The story has a happy ending because when I went and checked on the babies the next morning, the nest was empty; they may have fledged a bit early to keep from having to take another wild ride down the Interstate.
I have had wrens nest in a boot when I had left a pair on the porch. I have found their nests next to cushions on chairs on the porch. One of the most frustrating thing is when we leave our garage door open for any length of time during spring only to find piles of pine straw in odd places, placed there by hard headed little birds that didn’t realize that when the door is closed, they don’t have access to any babies that may be hatching there.
Carolina wrens are fun to have around the place. However, be on the lookout for nests in odd places, even behind spare tires on the back of your car.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass are fair at night on soft plastics and dark colored crank baits. Some are caught early morning around the grass on topwater lures with Chatterbaits are picking up some nice ones. Crappie are best around submerged tops in 16-18 foot water with shiners and jigs taking some nice fish. Bream fishing has slowed down. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – The cool front slowed fishing down. Both bass and crappie have been on the slow side.. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is falling and is quite low because of lock and dam problems down stream. The Prairieon area has been best for bass fishing. A good many catfish are being caught and crappie fishing is best around submerged tops in the river and in the bayou. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are scattered and suspended with best catches made early mornings on topwaters in the shallows. Soft plastics and crank baits are working best later in deeper water. Crappie are suspended on the flats. Shiners and jigs are picking up some fishing 8 feet deep in 12-14 foot water. Bream are fair. Catfish are good fishing off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has been fair on jigs and shiners suspended over deeper water. Bass are around the banks and hitting topwaters early while later hitting hit spinners and soft plastics in deeper water. Night fishing is fair around lighted piers and boat docks on soft plastics and crank baits. Bream are scattered. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfish are good while bass and crappie are rather slow. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is falling with lots of catfish being caught. Bass and crappie are fair but the few crappie caught have been real slabs. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.