The first thing to report is that there were no eggs in any of the nests this week. I had predicted there would be eggs in at least one of the boxes. Proof again that the birds know better than I when it comes to when and where to lay their eggs.

A few of the nests were worked on but several looked to be unchanged since last week. Chickadees have had a hand in the construction of four of the nests but the bluebirds are catching up, somewhat. Here’s the lowdown.

The Cow Pasture nest (above) saw little work over the week. A beak full of needles were brought in, but not much else was done by the bluebirds working this nest.

The chickadee nest box next to the Bungee Jump looked as it did the week before, finished, but with no eggs.

The chickadee nest in the box behind the Sail Boat Pond hasn’t changed since last week either, another finished nest with no eggs.

As  I walked up to the nest box in the Amphimeadow a female bluebird flew out from the box and landed in a small tree some forty feet away.

Last week the Amphimeadow nest box had the beginnings of a bluebird nest inside. During the past week a chickadee had been busy gathering moss and stuffing it in the berry basket inside the box. Now, it seems the warmer weather has spurred on the bluebirds, they’re back at it. The female flying out of the nest box as I approached is a fairly good indication that she intends to start reconstruction.

This location has always had a bluebird nest. I don’t think that will change this year regardless of what the chickadees have in mind.

The nest box at the Picnic Dome continues to be worked on by bluebirds. Slow and steady, go the bluebirds.

And finally, the Butterfly House nest. It appears the chickadees have added more fur, a little more grass and they’ve shaped the nest to accommodate the eggs that will most surely be deposited by next week (wishful thinking).

So, there you have it. There are still three chickadee nests and three bluebird nests. Chickadees made an attempt at taking over the Aphimeadow nest but it looks as if the bluebirds have reclaimed it. All nests except the bluebird nest in the Cow Pasture seem ready for eggs. We don’t want to rush the birds, but I’m getting a bit anxious.

See you next week!