Despite their small size ( less than an ounce –about 20 grams) Carolina Wrens are the loudest singers of the birds I regularly see.
Known for aggressive scolding as they defend their territory, it felt like this one was singing just for us as we wandered by.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
July 11, 2025
Antique–belonging to an earlier time …Merriam-Webster
I’m not sure I like items I remember using in my childhood being antiques, but that is what comes to mind every time I pass by this hand pump driving into Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. Whatever it provided water for is long gone. It seems too far from the Boynton House to have been their source of water, maybe a barn stood here.
A bluebird box stands on the other side of the road.
I didn’t see the Carolina Wren until he flew up onto the pump outlet.
For reference, here’s an image I took last April from the road, the Boynton House in the background, that I never published on this blog.
Boynton House Property
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 21, 2024
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 8, 2024
It was late afternoon with the sun lighting up a piece of the brick wall when I spotted this Carolina Wren watching me.
He held still just long enough for me to drop down for a lower angle.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
February 2, 2024
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
June 16, 2023
I went with a friend yesterday who is volunteering with Audubon SC on a project that is monitoring about a dozen Bluebird nest boxes. This was her first stop, where we saw a Carolina Wren peaking out of the box.
The process is for her to tap the side of the nest box so any adult present flies off, open the box, take a quick photo in the nest with cell phone, then close it back up and retreat. There were five eggs nestled down inside. The boxes get checked once or twice a week until just before the time the chicks are expected to hatch.
A closer look at the nest shows detail of the variety of nest material around what turned out to be five eggs.
Most of the boxes were not in use, but a couple of the others had Bluebird eggs. Bluebirds often have multiple broods so the boxes may already have been used this year and may be again.
May 29, 2023
I watched this Carolina Wren probe around under a fallen log and was rewarded with a good view when he hopped up top for a look around.
Beidler Forest, SC
March 18, 2022
Loud and clear, this Carolina Wren greeted the day.
I had a rare opportunity with a Carolina Wren out in the open this morning, and on an interesting branch.
He made a quick flip before diving into the underbrush, showing me his other side.
This is a bird that has mostly eluded my camera despite how common they are, even in my back yard. I was pretty happy to get both shots.
A perky Carolina Wren entertained me while he hunted for bugs on a vine covered tree trunk.
The vine and some Spanish Moss are good hiding places for bugs.
An occasional stop for a song is the wren’s way.
I think I was spotted.
Back to business the wren moved on up the trunk.
