Ironically, the weeds, overgrowth, and tangle of vegetation are very attractive to most birds. It provides them with cover and nesting sites, and there are usually berries, seeds, and insects in the vegetation as well. They don't care that the plants are too close together, or whether a bed is edged perfectly or sprayed for weeds. I had a very overgrown yard when I moved here 10 years ago, with many invasive plants. The only thing I continually remove are invasive plants, and in stages because I've done most of the work myself by hand. Sometimes I wish it had gone faster, and been "overhauled" as you are doing, but I tried to preserve habitat. I left some thickets of vegetation, and left "snags" or dead trees up in the back yard purposely to provide nesting habitat for cavity nesters (and Black-capped chickadees are cavity nesters). I had Bluebirds nesting in snags here for 2 years, until the snags fell over. I also leave up some dead branches for perching and insect value. I would suggest that you go over to All about birds, and read about the BCCD. Also observe the little chickadee's habits in your yard, where they like to "hang out", and perhaps leave some habitat intact throughout the overhaul.

Well I guess I will answer my own question since I got no replies to this one. The TRES are gone from this box and so are the Dees. The Dees have however moved to another box and started building a nest. Donna

What a very handsome Daddy! It always amazes me when these birds check out each other's housing. They seem to be so curious about who's taking up residence. This morning a brown headed nuthatch landed briefly on the bb box, tried to peek in, but the new Daddy Blue swooped down and chased him off, obviously while Mama was on a brief break. The BHNU nested here last year in a box on the opposite side of the yard, but not this year to my disappointment...but I was just as thrilled to have the dees! Sounds like you have alot of action going on. Hope all continues to go well. Donna

Nice capture, I've noticed the golden finches can't wait for mine to ripen and keep checking them out. Unfortunatley, the plant is not in a a good area for photos. It was a volunteer plant thanks to the local chipmunks. I planted safflower and zebra sunflowers last year, thinking they would be a nice winter snack and they goobled them up in early fall.