Carolina Wren Observation Log: Daily Incubation Activity
Last Updated: June 19, 2026
About This Observation Log
This page serves as a detailed observation journal documenting the nesting activities of a pair of Carolina Wrens nesting on our deck during the spring and summer of 2026.
Unlike the main update articles, which summarize major events and milestones, this log contains detailed observations, timestamps, camera recordings, photographs, and daily notes for anyone interested in following the nest's progress in greater detail.
The female wren is referred to as Birdie, while her mate is referred to as Companion.
Nest Building Phase
May 27, 2026
I removed what appeared to be the wrens' second nesting attempt after suspecting mice may have been using the nest.
Unfortunately, the nest was removed before I realized the wrens were still interested in the location.
May 28, 2026
The wrens began building what appears to be their third nesting attempt of the season.
06:59:56 – Both wrens observed searching previous nesting locations.
May 29, 2026
Nest construction progressing well.
May 30, 2026
Nest construction continues.
A squirrel spent considerable time investigating the nest area but caused no apparent damage.
08:52:25 – Squirrel investigating nest
08:56:16 – Squirrel inspecting flower pot
09:11:38 – Wren and squirrel encounter
09:20:07 – Wren and squirrel encounter (Part 2)
09:20:58 – Wren and squirrel encounter (Part 3)
09:21:34 – Wren and squirrel clearly aware of each other
09:23:19 – Squirrel remains nearby
12:10:01 – Birdie returns to nest
May 31, 2026
The squirrel returned for another visit.
11:38:47 – Wren and squirrel face-to-face
11:43:16 – Squirrel and Blaze encounter
Egg Laying & Early Incubation
June 3, 2026
Photographs taken showing eggs present in the nest.
June 4, 2026
Birdie spending increasing amounts of time in the nest.
09:58:56 – Birdie checking nest area
20:04:45 – Birdie resting in nest
20:19:52 – Birdie sitting in nest
20:21:46 – Birdie sitting in nest
20:22:34 – Birdie resting in nest
20:24:11 – Birdie resting in nest
20:30:54 – Birdie resting in nest
20:34:29 – Birdie resting in nest
20:37:15 – Birdie resting in nest
June 5, 2026
Continued nest maintenance.
08:44:34 – Adding nesting materials
09:40:17 – Adding nesting materials
19:15:17 – Adding nesting materials
June 6, 2026
00:56:15 – Birdie curls up in nest for the night
05:30:46 – Leaves nest
09:50:04 – Returns to nest
11:36:53 – Adding nesting materials
11:37:33 – Companion visits Birdie
June 7, 2026
Incubation behavior becoming more noticeable.
06:25:01 – Leaves nest
12:43:39 – Sitting on nest
13:37:26 – Sitting on nest before departing
16:12:40 – Leaves nest
19:22:05 – Sitting on nest
June 8, 2026
15:06:20 – Returns with nesting materials
16:57:17 – Leaves nest
17:34:55 – Returns to nest
Detailed Incubation Log
Beginning June 9, monitoring became more detailed as motion-triggered camera recordings provided a clearer picture of Birdie's daily routine.
June 9, 2026
05:28:28 – Leaves nest
05:48:49 – Returns
05:49:42 – Companion checks on Birdie
06:15:43 – Leaves nest
06:35:19 – Returns
07:40:46 – Leaves nest
08:10:25 – Returns with nesting material
08:11:07 – Companion feeds Birdie and checks nesting area
09:25:53 – Leaves nest
10:10:11 – Returns
11:29:14 – Leaves nest
12:31:10 – Returns and searches deck for food
12:32:18 – Both wrens inspecting deck area
13:24:43 – Returns to nest
15:06:29 – Leaves nest
16:54:23 – Returns
18:16:27 – Leaves nest
19:00:47 – Returns
June 10, 2026
Birdie maintained a consistent incubation schedule throughout the day.
05:27:24 – Leaves nest
06:16:29 – Returns
06:17:22 – Companion checks on Birdie
07:45:25 – Leaves nest
09:00:05 – Returns
10:02:37 – Leaves nest
10:48:45 – Returns
10:51:11 – Companion visits
11:59:51 – Leaves nest
13:00:24 – Returns
14:45:56 – Leaves nest
15:56:57 – Returns
15:59:11 – Companion visits and inspects nest
18:25:52 – Returns to nest
19:06:06 – Leaves nest
19:28:43 – Returns for the night
June 11, 2026
Birdie continued a predictable incubation routine.
05:31:25 – Leaves nest
06:03:54 – Returns
06:04:32 – Companion visits
08:01:33 – Returns
08:03:01 – Companion checks nest
11:03:31 – Returns
13:08:06 – Leaves nest
14:10:47 – Returns
16:44:33 – Leaves nest
17:49:45 – Returns
19:51:48 – Returns for evening
June 12, 2026
Birdie remained highly attentive to the nest.
05:37:20 – Leaves nest
06:09:01 – Returns
06:09:59 – Companion visits
07:09:10 – Leaves nest
07:43:11 – Returns
09:51:37 – Leaves nest
11:01:00 – Returns
11:02:55 – Companion visits
13:21:26 – Leaves nest
14:26:16 – Returns
14:26:56 – Companion checks on Birdie
June 13, 2026
Significant Event
At approximately 09:33 AM, Birdie was observed consuming one of the eggs.
09:33:19 – Begins eating egg
09:39:32 – Continues consuming egg and removes remains
10:27:19 – Returns to nest
The reason remains unknown, although infertile or damaged eggs are often removed by nesting birds.
Incubation continued normally afterward.
June 14, 2026
Birdie continued her routine today.
Her companion was observed visiting multiple times, including one visit where he appeared to feed her while she remained near the nest.
An interesting observation occurred around midday when Birdie returned carrying nesting material despite the nest already appearing complete.
Whether this was maintenance, reinforcement, or simply instinctive behavior remains unclear.
Overall, the nest remains active and Birdie continues to spend the majority of her time incubating.
June 15, 2026
Birdie maintained her incubation routine throughout the day.
Several shorter feeding trips were observed during the morning, and the companion was seen delivering food to her on multiple occasions while she remained on the nest.
Overall, incubation appeared to be progressing normally.
June 16, 2026
A particularly interesting day.
12:05:48 – Companion arrives carrying a twig
Birdie appeared uninterested, so the companion added the twig to the nest himself before departing.
14:17:58 – Birdie observed shuffling or repositioning the eggs beneath her.
June 17, 2026
Incubation continued steadily.
The companion continued regular visits throughout the day.
18:59:26 – Birdie returned carrying fresh nesting material despite the nest appearing complete.
June 18, 2026
All four remaining eggs were visible during the morning.
Several feeding visits from the companion were recorded throughout the day.
13:38:37 – Birdie briefly returned to the nest but appeared startled and immediately departed before returning again a short time later.
June 19, 2026
Birdie remained dedicated to the nest despite increasingly warm temperatures.
13:01:06 – Birdie appeared noticeably tired and warm while incubating.
No major changes were observed within the nest, but hatch day appeared to be approaching.
Next Update
The next major milestone occurred on June 20 when the first chicks began hatching.
You can continue the story here: