Lisa, I thought that I read on this forum that some birds are more sensitive to disturbances than others. All I know about nest-box monitoring I learn from this forum. I respect and appreciate the efforts (and results!) of bluebird landlords, who reestablished EABBs in the eastern US. I do question, personally, the monitoring of other songbirds whose populations are not in trouble; my concern, also, is that some people, way less knowledgeable than the pros here, will think that they can and should monitor all nests, including cup nests. On the BWF, someone took a picture of almost fledged 'dees. I worry about flushing out chicks that age. Not that anyone knowledgeable on this forum would do it, but you all know your stuff. Many people glean information from forums instead of researching, and cannot keep their hands out of nests. Not that I am "scolding" anyone; it's just what I think of, as a visitor, when I come here. Not everyone knows there stuff. But I guess we can't help that. My instincts and background urge me to leave nests alone (except EABBs), because unknowingly, we create more trouble than help with birds that are doing well already, and need the experience of nesting failures to get them right in other tries. Although Janie's save is impossible to argue with!! But Janie, your gut (sorry for the metaphor) is greater than most other's : ) Which nest boxes then are you supposed to not check? Which species was I thinking of? Thanks!

What a very handsome Daddy! It always amazes me when these birds check out each other's housing. They seem to be so curious about who's taking up residence. This morning a brown headed nuthatch landed briefly on the bb box, tried to peek in, but the new Daddy Blue swooped down and chased him off, obviously while Mama was on a brief break. The BHNU nested here last year in a box on the opposite side of the yard, but not this year to my disappointment...but I was just as thrilled to have the dees! Sounds like you have alot of action going on. Hope all continues to go well. Donna

Apparently the incubation phase is over. I see both male & female BB sitting on top of the box together frequently. Alternating hanging onto the openning. The female rarely goes all the way in; I assume it must be very crowded in there! The male appears to be cleaning the nest as I observe particles in his beak as he reaches in and flys away with something white. The eggs that are going to hatch must be done. The female hangs on the front; reaches in; then flys away, I assume, to gather food. I am not sure how many of the second set of seven eyes hatched. I have tried to get a peek but the two birds are very busy and frequently around the box. I have chosen to stay away to not disturb them. It has continued to be a joy to watch them at work. I hope to get an opportunity by the end of the week to observe the number of little birds in the nest. I'll be VERY CAREFUL when I open the box to see. A neighborhood cat has spotted the nest; yesterday I walked out toward the nest and it ran away. I'll keep an eye out for him. I like cats, but, certainly do not want it to harm the BB. Thanks for all the helpful information. BJT in South Carolina

Thanks everyone! I really don't think the male was just being scarce. I had been watching this pair for a week and a half before they started laying eggs. I would always see them together and I would always see both of them. If the female was in the nestbox, Dad sat outside watching. For all four eggs (being laid) Dad was there. If I went near the box I got scolded by both the male and the female. Then that one day as I was watching Mom just acted funny and that was when I realized I hadn't seen the male. Today was day five of not seeing him. I realized I could have missed him when watching but I really think if he had been around when I went down there he would of scolded me too, not just the mom. Now an update from today. I was watching and I saw a male BB! Watched them for a LONG time, lots and lots of wing waving going on by both but mostly the male. Mom would go in the nestbox, peek back out and then fly to the male who was in a tree near it, then she would go back in. She did stay in after awhile also and the male went to the nestbox at one point and peeked in. I went down during this and set some crickets out. Mom immediately went down to eat, male just watched and wing waved. When I went down there mom scolded me, the male did not. I think this is a new male but I guess I won't know for sure unless the eggs hatch and I find out if he feeds them or not, either that or if he gets her to start a new nest. What do you think?? I am going to post this question in a new thread too as I am curious what everyone thinks as to if this is a new male or not. Does wing waving happen during incubation by an established couple?? Donna