I get downies roosting in my boxes, and they often "excavate" the interior. I'd just leave it. I do put hole guards on the hole tho so they don't enlarge it. Here is a link that might be useful: Downy bio

Do not use mylar strips before an egg is laid - it will spook other birds. Try monofilament in the interim for HOSP. http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm#monofilament Downies will not nest in your box - they will use it for roosting. or try a Gilbertson box paired with the wooden one - HOSP like it less. Here is a link that might be useful: all about downy woodpeckers.

Many of the birds you mention aren't cavity nesters, so a nest box wouldn't matter. Probably chickadees are the most likely. If you put up a box for chickadees, of course make sure it's protected from predators with a baffle on the post or pole, especially since you mention cats and racoons. The hole size is 1 1/8", small enough that house sparrows and starlings won't be able to enter. One thing I read is that chickadees might prefer a larger hole to start with, like 1 1/4", and then once they have established use of the box, you can put a 1 1/8" hole reducer on. Much depends on the habitat in your yard and in the surrounding area. Chickadees seem to like the nest box to be on the edge of a woody or shrubby area. A chickadee box might also attract house wrens, so I guess it depends on whether you want to potentially host them or not. You don't mention what state you live in, so I don't know if you have house wrens. Other suggestions for nest boxes could be wood ducks (since you live near water), or even screech owls, which could use the same box as wood ducks. Or, you could try putting up an Owl Shack in the fall. I've got two up, no luck so far with screech owls, but the woodpeckers sure like to drum on that nice resonant box! If you have many dogs and cats running around your neighborhood, then you might not get anything at all. If that is the case, then you might not want to try and attract wood ducks, because they have to jump out of the box to make their way to the water, and would be easy targets for cats.

Thanks all for the nice comments. :) For terrene and all the other Bluebird lovers here, we are very happy to report that all 5 of Missy and Mr.B's first brood did fledge successfully on the morning of April 27th. We've posted a video of the happy event here: Birds Blossoms & Butterflies VOL 4 RE: New Photos from Kenn & Temple Posted by: gymell (My Page) on Fri, Apr 30, 10 at 12:39 Nice captures - song sparrow and tufted titmouse are two I'd definitely like to add to my yard list! Post a Follow-Up Your Name: Your Email Address: Subject of Posting: Message: Optional Link URL: Â Â Â Name of the Link: Return to the Bird Watching Forum