Alright everyone, thanks! I think I may have accidentally scared it off by looking in it. There was no bird in the nest last night unless it has more than one nest (I don't know if that's possible but just a guess). I will take it down; the actual bird house has sentimental value to me so I would hate to leave it. In all the three years I've lived here, never before has a bird even started a nest in it (as it's in a very busy area), so I was surprised.

We've had a blue jay pair in our rhododendron. I've been watching since it's also about 6 feet from our front door, up against our house. I got mama a birdbath and food, which she never used. So her eggs hatched and I watched daddy feed her, and then her feed her babies. This was so precious. But now they're all gone. Could they be renesting? I've had my field cam on them but it's not revealing if daddy or mommy transported the babies. I havent seen any critters either. I was really hoping I would get to see the babies grow. I feel bad bc I am not sure if her babies made it. 😔

Are there any nests in the boxes? I also think they are Tree Swallows. If they are in there from last fall or summer they are probably babies that could not get out of the boxes. Tres need a ladder if you will to help them fledge from the nest. All that needs to be done is to make some deep scratches or kerfs on the inside of the box leading up to the hole to help them climb out. There is a website that will give you all the info you will ever need about Bluebirds Tree Swallows and any other cavity nesting birds. www.sialis.org We will also help any time you have questions Cathy Here is a link that might be useful: sialis.org

Thanks nicholsworth. I have a couple small "ponds"....just 300 gallon rubbermaid stock tanks sunk into the ground in my back yard. I don't have fish....just frogs and sometimes snakes (and water lilies and lotus). But one day as I rode up in the lane, I saw a great blue heron perched on the top of the house, looking at my little ponds! I have the feeling that raccoons visit my ponds every night. They've knocked some of the big rocks lining the edge into the water. I quit feeding birds in my back yard because the raccoons would visit and cause all sorts of ruckus and problems. They're too smart for their own good. haha I don't think I'd ever have fish out here. There's too much to worry about.....