Sounds like a great place for wildlife! Off-topic, but since you mentioned jaguars, I stand on my theory that someone in eastern Kentucky breeds black jaguars and his customers turn the cubs loose when they get too rowdy. I.e., I was called in to sub teach at Rodburn elementary yesterday and in the lunch room one of the teachers was complaining about a "huge" "black panther" with a five foot tail in her backyard that leaped up onto a bank about 25 feet away before vanishing into woods. She said she called the fish and wildlife number but they told her that black panthers "don't exist in Kentucky" so they wouldn't come. I laughed and said that anytime I tell people in other states about the jaguar they react as though it's just a "hillbilly urban legend." I reassured her that I'd checked online and read they are harmless to humans and usually to livestock-just don't let her dog out of the house when one is around, and told her what happened to my neighbor's dog. That dog had to have $300 worth of stitches this fall, but Jeff said all the panther did was give the attacking dog one casual slap, then walked off without looking back. He also commented that it was black and had a "five-foot tail." Locals call them "black cougars" but also often see regular cougars, unaware that they are separate species. Meanwhile, DuBois told me a customer in West Liberty said he'd seen black panthers many times while hunting and taking care of his cattle. Wish I could see one. All I have are photos of the tracks-which are unique to the animal and a different size and shape from a cougar's track

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!

Nice photo, however, I think it is more like a black-capped chickadee. The very pronounced white in the wings and the larger, less defined bib which extends down into the breast leads me to this. The Carolina's bib cuts off at the neck. Still, it is a really nice photo!!!

Wait..me? While I disagree I'm honored! Well..lol I somehow managed to find cups in my sisters room. So that's how I started with the white 3oz cups and the clear 9oz (that may of been too big but they don't seem to mind). I have leaves or small avs growing in 4oz jelly jars. My cups weren't wide enough so I took white foam and cut them to fit on top of the jar with the lid on top of that with another cut out hole for the cup. And I just press them in there depending on how much I fill the jar up. most of my noid plus a large named av I have in these clear plastic 9oz cups..something else I found in my sisters room lol. They are put on top of 8oz mason jars. Not the perfect fit but the height helps for the amount I have. Plus the cup has an indentation at the bottom and it fits in that opening...as long as I don't knock it over etc Both sets of mason jars were purchased at walmart..nor sure where my sister got the cups..but when I needed more of the 9oz size..walmart only had them in chinet cut crystal. I've thought about getting the right size pot for the mason jars but maybe when I'm nit buying avs or lights for them (I have another light and fans on the way yay). This is my main shelf. .I kinda have them everywhere. I turned a nice wooden cd rack into an av rack. The bottom shelf has all of my propagated leaves and some water wicked in cool whip containers. I have 5 noids water wicked in a big basket..and a few on a window sill. I think with the new light coming I may remove the poinsettias and put my bigger avs on that shelf..I need more room! Sorry long winded. I'm touched though . I got the mason jar idea from this board..love mason jars!