It’s bluebird time again. I cleaned our six nest boxes last week (3/10), getting them ready for the birds to move in. With the weather as nice as it is today (expected to get well into the 80s) it actually felt like nesting season as I went around checking the nest boxes.

My hopes were high as I peeked into the first nest box. The Train Tunnel nest box showed no sign of occupancy, no pine needles laid out on the bottom of the box and no birds lingering about, maybe next week.

I had five more nest boxes to go, perhaps there’d be something to report from those boxes.

The next box in line to be checked was the nest box next to the Bungee in Catch the Wind. Being closed in from behind by the woods and in front by shrubs, this box has been a favorite of chickadees. Bluebirds typically select a more open nesting situation.

As I approached the nest box I could see both a male and female bluebird sitting atop the nest box. Not wanting to disturb the birds, I moved on.

I later came back to the Bungee nest box, opened it and found the beginnings of a Carolina chickadee nest. Were the bluebirds going to build on top of the chickadee’s nest? We’ll have to wait till next week to see what happens at the Bungee nest.

Next on the trail is the nest box behind the Sailboat Pond. As I rounded the shrubbery next to the pond I saw a chickadee fly into the nest box. It poked its head out. I took a photo. There was another chickadee nearby.

A bluebird flew away from the nest box in the Amphimeadow as I approached. It sat on a small tree and watched as I went up to the box for a peek inside.

The nest box at the Picnic Dome was empty. I was surprised, though, to find the makings of a chickadee nest in the nest box at the Butterfly House. This box is placed in an open area more suited to bluebirds. It’s still early, things may change here. But, either species is welcome to nest where they wish. It’s completely up to them to sort it out.

So, here’s where we are at present. There are three nests started. Two nests have been started by chickadees, one at the Bungee and one at the Butterfly House. I didn’t look into the nest box at the Sailboat Pond for fear of disturbing the chickadees that were poking around the box. There may be a nest inside the box. I will peek in next week to find out for sure.

There is one bluebird nest started. That nest, is at the Amphimeadow in Catch the Wind. Two of the nest boxes showed no activity, the Train Tunnel nest box and the Picnic Dome nest box.

The fun begins.