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.

First of all don't put worms right by the nestbox...you will be attracting other birds and predators. If they come to your feeders put the worms there for them. Second if you don't have a baffle add one. Just because you didn't have a predator get your Blues last year doesn't mean something won't get the Dees this year. Wobbling stovepipe is cheap and easy to put up and will deter climbing predators. Chickadees lay one egg a day until the clutch is complete usually with 6-8 eggs. The eggs are usually covered up by a layer of fur (blanket) to hide the eggs. Once the clutch is complete the momma will start incubation which takes 12-13 days. From hatching fledging usually occurs around day 16. Never check on a nestbox in the morning if you think they may be laying eggs, you do not want to disturb her while she is laying. Some Dees will stay on the nest during monitoring, that is normal. Once you know how many eggs there are (usually during incubation you may be able to see if she leaves them uncovered) and estimate when they will hatch, then count the days and do not open the box after day 10/11 from hatching to prevent premature fledging. Good luck!

Great photos - so interesting to see the one carrying out the woodchips, and the two cooperating. So neat to think of them making a home from a woodpecker's home. A question - I have had a chickadee (or a pair)flying in and out of a nestbox. I am thrilled at the possibility of their nesting there. After a week or so I checked the nestbox, and there was a nest! But now for the last week or so I haven't seen them nearby at all. I checked the nest yesterday, and no eggs. Could I have "jinxed" the nest by checking on it? I thought it was okay to peek in. I didn't touch anything, just opened the door, looked, and shut it. I would hate to think I scared them off somehow after they did all that work building. Any thoughts?

Well more bad news. I looked through the hole and saw no activity and heard none so I opened and saw the last baby, previously alive, had died. I have no idea what happened to him. No trauma from what I could see and this afternoon I definitely saw him moving around in the hole. What in te world happened to my little baby? He was supposed to fly free today. I don't know that I want to clean out the house and try for another now. Mommy is out there flying around with her newly chosen mate and I wonder if she is heartbroken as I am? Again, what in the world happened to this last baby?