This spring, for the first time, a pair of Bewick’s Wrens, Thryomanes bewickii, have built a nest in a husband-made birdhouse which hangs just outside the enclosed catio. Each adult has contributed to the nest with oak catkins, clusters of small twigs, and feathers. What goes on in the house during the nesting, I’m not privy to observing.

Bewick’s wrens have never spent time in my garden, building nests or otherwise. The go-to wrens for my garden have always been Carolina Wrens, who are absent this spring, though I hear their songs and calls in other parts of the neighborhood. Both species of wrens sing beautifully, with a variety of songs, chirps, and calls in their repertoire. Bewick’s males songs are particularly delightful and melodic.

During the most active part of the nest building, plenty of warning calls have sounded when the cats are in the catio, hunkered down, staring intently and entranced with the wren activity. The wrens remain wary, though they seem to understand that they’re safe from the feline predators. Still, they issue their warnings and state their objections to the cats’ presence, just to make their points.

Wren activity has quieted in the last few days. I see and hear one of the wrens, but the delivery of local building material has stopped. Is the female inside, tending eggs? Or have the couple perhaps decided that elsewhere is a better bet for their chicks? Time will will answer both questions, though I hope to witness fledgling wrens.

As cute as the adults are, how much more darling will be the fledglings?