I have a small basket hanging on a hook on my covered porch. Usually, Carolina wrens nest in it. But the other day I saw a chickadee fly out of it. I want to take it down and look into it and see if there are eggs. Will that scare her away? It's kinda neat to see a different bird nesting there for a change! I have several old, small baskets and didn't know what to use them for......so I've hung them around for birds.

Really? My 8 year old was trying to train them but she probably moves around too much or is too noisy and they all clear when we are out. We have a trail (driving distance) where the chickadees land on you. They are very cute. Do you have paths nearby where such an occurance happens and they are trained? Are they really just naturally friendly? I think I will pick up some unsalted peanuts for her to take out this week since we have so many at our feeder.

Okay. I'm in the same boat. My daughter is almost 3 and has been in a twin bed for 3 months. There are nights that she does pretty well with staying in bed. I assume it's from being so tired. And there are nights when I have to go back in about 2 or 3 times within the hour. But, last night was the worst. I don't think she slept at all. We did the usual routine - bath, stories, prayer, lights out (except for night light). I won't leave the door open at all cuz I know she will come out for sure. Usually she will get up and just sit against the wall next to her door and cry. Then, I or my husband will go in and put her back in bed. We usually ask if something scared or or ask what is wrong. She never answers. But, last night was a lot different. Last night my husband went in and put her back in bed. He left her room and she was quiet. That was around 8:15. Then around 9:30 I went in to check on her and couldn't get her door open. She had gotten back out of bed and sat against the wall next to her door and fell asleep sitting up. Her legs were blocking the door. I had to use the door to nudge her awake so that I could get her back in bed. After that she was up all night and so was I. She would not stay in bed at all. I tried making her a pallet on the floor in my room and she just lied there for over an hour eyes wide open. So, I put her back in her bed. She asked for the door to be left open. I agreed but told her she has to stay in bed or the door will be closed. This time I left the door open just a crack. I don't know what time she got up next I just know she did. I don't even know exactly how many times she got out of bed. I stopped counting and stopped looking at the clock. Until about 4:30 this morning. I had enough. I grabbed her and put her back in bed without a word from my mouth. I was livid. Then around 6:15 I went in to wake her to get her ready for the sitter. She was so exhausted and wouldn't let me put her down. I don't know what else to do to get her to stay in bed. I've tried the treats. That worked for about 2 weeks. I don't want her losing sleep like that anymore. And I can't afford to lose it either. I'm an insulin dependent diabetic and loss of sleep makes my sugars spike very high the next day. What else can I do?

Is it possible to move the feeder to a more secluded area of your yard? A few trees around the vicinity of the feeder would help to shield the birds as they make a quick getaway from the predators. It's terrible that they have to deal with the windows and predators just to grab a bite at your feeder.