itrom.......Last year when chickadees took over our fave BB box after so many year of having only BBs in the box there were reclaim fights but the BBs did not win and we never saw any all summer and that was sad. That particular box is the one we can see easily and we love to watch them and take photos. There are two other boxes nearby so I kept asking myself why can't the cute chickadees just use those...lol. BBs have moved into the fave box and I hope there is peace! Good luck and enjoy whatever nests ...or...put up another box and if you do make sure you follow instructions as to how far from the fist one.

If you put up a house made specifically for Dees, make sure they are as deep as those made for bluebirds. While Dees seem to prefer smaller floor space boxes they still need the same depth to the nestbox, shallow boxes are not good. My Dees unfortunately this year are now excavating an old woodpecker drilling in a dead tree, not sure how I am going to keep them safe in that vs my nestboxes! Donna

I came across this information http://www.sialis.org/chickadee.htm . It mentions that they can be prone to premature fledging if disturbed. They usually fledge at 16 days. They usually nest in a cavity so they wouldn't be able to fall out. All eight of the ones in my nesting box seem to get along and I never noticed the first born picking on the ones hatched later. Maybe something got at them.

Usually I do have HOSPS and HOWRS in my yard. I closed up the bluebird house, since I could only trap so many HOSPS before it became too much. I have not seen or heard any HOWR this year, but they could still be around. I saw the chick leave yesterday afteroon, and I peeked inside. Now there were 2 eggs (instead of 1), covered with down. The other old egg was still jammed between the wall and nest. I've read info that says they usually don't renest in the same place after predator attack. But it's either them or another pair nesting in the old nest. Should I remove that old egg on the side? This is exciting and mysterious at the same time.