chezron, I have seen them nest in fairly close proximity to each other without issues, but I think it is always best to separate the nestboxes as much as you can. It is said that 2 pairs of nesting Bluebirds need about 100 yards between the boxes, but I know that most people here have seen them nesting closer together than that. Right now, I have Chickadees and Bluebirds nesting in boxes that are within 50 feet of each other. So, I don't think they have to necessarily be "far" away from each other, but put some distacne there if you are able. JMHO. HTH. ~~Angie :o)

we have had over normal snowfall this winter. there is still a couple foot of snow on the fields with only a few bare spots under trees. But the pair of Lewis's woodpeckers are here early and the male is drumming on the light pole setting up his territory but the male and female are both coming to the feeders together so i don't think they are ready to start with the eggs. the juncos and chickadees and most of the winter birds are still here and usually leave about the later part of march to nest elsewhere. My orioles come mid april to late april to nest close bu usually 3 pairs. Most of the spring birds do not show up till mid april to mid may. and have not seen any of them yet.

Well, if the Chickadee nest is already there, you can't do anything but let them hash it out between themselves. The Blues are quite a bit larger than Chickadees. I am assuming that you are positive that it's Chickadees you've got and not House Sparrows. Sometimes, the Blues will run the Chickadees off and claim the box, but if the sweet little Chickadees already have eggs, they will fight really hard to try to prevent that. If it is Chickadees you have there, one thing you can do (for future nestings) is to put up a "Chickadee box" that is especially for them. The entrance hole is really small. They seem to know immediately when a box is intended just for them, and they will quickly use them. HTH ~~Angie

I've been lucky enough to "host" chickadees for the last 6 years. The first year it was a little war between the bluebirds and the chickadees. The bluebirds have always, w/o a single exception, used the back yard nest box. They already had five eggs and incubation had started when the chickadees started nest building in a front yard box. The bluebirds were having "none of that" and constantly harassed them by going in and out of the dee nest box. I was advised to add a 1 1/8 or 1 /14th inch hole reducer to keep the bluebirds OUT and I did and things were fine for both the bluebirds and the dees. I have bluebirds in the back yard right now and the dees have laid their third egg today in the front yard box. So far, the bluebirds are not bothering the dee box but if they do I'll add the reducer again. I agree with Elly, do no disturb that nest. It's possible the dees will return or that they have and you've just missed seeing them. While they do incubate every day it's possible they have not started incubating yet. Most times females do start incubation the day before, day of or day after the last egg is laid but not 100% of the time so it's premature to think they won't return. I would recommend that you add a reducer to keep the bluebirds out of the box. If, after that, the chickadees don't come back for a full week then I'd remove the nest and eggs and the reducer. But, be sure you've had a chance to look at the box for a full hour before assuming it's been abandoned.