Five of our six nest boxes contain nests. Four have eggs. Two contain chickadee eggs and two, bluebird eggs. Two nests had adults incubating, a bluebird and a chickadee. One nest box is empty.

The nest box at the Cow Pasture near the Ellerbe Creek Railroad Tunnel has two bluebird eggs within. I expect there’ll be a few more by next week’s inspection of the box.

The chickadees that started the nest in the nest box on the service road in Explore the Wild have finished the nest. An adult watched from the trees as I opened the box and peered inside. But, I could see no eggs in the nest.

The nest box at the service road to Into the Mist is still empty. This nest box is always a late starter.

There are four chickadee eggs in the nest box on the east side of the parking deck. I didn’t see an adult in the area so maybe there’ll be one or two more eggs deposited before incubation begins.

On the west side of the parking deck, a female bluebird has laid 5 eggs in her nest. She was in the box when I approached it. She seemed to be incubating.

The Butterfly House nest box has 5 speckled eggs in its moss and fiber lined nest.

We’re off to a good, and early, start. Five active nest with 16 eggs, 9 chickadee and 7 bluebird eggs. Two nests have sitting females, one bluebird and one chickadee with 5 eggs each. And, although one nest box has shown no activity, the season is well underway.

See you next week.