We were lucky enough to have chickadees use the nest box in our yard, and from as far as we can tell the babies have successfully fledged (we didn't see it, but I saw a parent bring food one morrning and they were gone by evening). We didn't take the nest box down yet and have seen a chickadee sticking its head near the opening. How likely is it another set of chickadees would use the box? If it's possible is it better to remove the old nest? Thanks. -- Lori

I have a couple of boxes that I never put up because I can't figure out where to put them that predators wouldn't be a problem, And how do you end up with wrens instead of sparrows? They seem to take over every chance they get. That is inspired to put a camera inside the box. Fascinating to watch. At the end I could see the wire out the back, so it's not on batteries. So do you end up with hours of footage that you edit? I would imagine you can see chicks being born and any predator birds or snakes if they show up too.

Cute but I wonder what happens when those babies decide they want to watch tv when they are adult. I know it is a feel good story but.

I found this on another site about which birds in the US lay blue eggs - http://sialis.org/blueeggs.htm Not All Blue Eggs are Bluebird Eggs "Just because eggs are blue doesn't mean they were laid by a bluebird. Bluebirds are cavity nesters, and VERY rarely lay their eggs outside of a cavity. (When desperate, they may use a ledge or other location. See photos.) Some people who report finding bluebird eggs in odd locations (in a potted plant for example) are really seeing eggs of another species, like the American Robin nest, eggs, and nestlings in these photos. House Finches lay eggs that are bluish-green, and sometimes use a nestbox. See more photos. Starlings also lay blue eggs, but they are bigger than bluebird eggs. About 4-5% of bluebirds actually lay white eggs. Robin hatchlings are much larger than bluebird hatchlings, and have longer tufts of white fuzz along their spines and forehead. They are incubated for about 12-14 days, and fledge in 14-16 days. Birds that nest in an "open" cup (vs. cavity nesters) need to develop and get out from their vulnerable location faster. Photos by Bet Zimmerman. "