Wren Guard for Slope Roofed Nest Boxes

A wren guard is designed to protect nest boxes from invasion by wrens during the nesting season. The guard works by hiding the nest box entrance from wrens, once the preferred species has started to use the nest box. The guard is put in place when the first egg is laid and stays in place until about a week before the nestlings will fledge (about 10 – 12 days), at which point the guard is swung up out of the way.

A major problem with wren guards today is that they block monitoring access to the nest box when they are in place. This wren guard solves this problem by hinging the guard to the nest box roof, so it can be quickly and quietly rotated up and out of the way to access and monitor the nest. The guard can also be held out of the way when it is not needed by using the provided pin to lock it in the up position.

Product Details: 

• Dimensions: 8" W x 7.25" H x 5.5" D
• Material: PVC trim board
• Locking pin for holding guard up when not in use

MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS:
A wren guard is properly positioned when the sides of the guard line up with the front of the nest box and there is at least three inches between the front of the nest box and the inside of the guard front. The wren guard can be mounted to a nest box, so it is either removable or permanent.

1. Stick the two provided pieces of Velcro together.
2. Expose the adhesive on one side of the connected Velcro strips.
3. Stick the Velcro to the center of the bottom side of the guard mounting block.
4. Make a mark on the nest box roof with a pencil where the top edge of the mounting block should be when the guard is properly positioned.
5. Remove the adhesive from the other side of the Velcro pieces and using the line on the roof as a guide, position and press the assembly together until the Velcro achieves a firm grip on the roof.

Permanent: The guard can be permanently attached once the position of the guard has been determined. Once in its desired position, exterior grade screws can be driven through the mounting block into the roof of the nest box. The screws should not protrude through the roof into the inside space of the nest box. Caulking the perimeter of the mounting block is advised to keep moisture from getting between the mounting block and the roof. The precise details of a permanent mount are left to the nest box owner.