Chickadee or HOSP?

[Scot]

I accidentally stumbled upon this nest that I thought was being built by TRES which have not only occupied it in the past but have also recently been sitting on the top of the nest box, bringing nest material inside, and having bird sex on the top of the box in preparation for egg laying…………….

I thought it was theirs, and opened the box this afternoon to monitor for eggs. It should be noted that I have seen a Black Capped Chickadee going in and out of the box and hanging out inside in the evening recently. When I stuck my phone camera in to look for TRES eggs, I found this………………..

I believe this is a chickadee. Anyone run into issues like this? Anyone have any idea who will wind up using this nest for egg laying? I saw the TRES on top of the box again tonight, and they are there each morning. When I checked on Sialis, this appears to be a Chickadee nest and not a typical TRES nest.

On a very positive note, and as an aside, I hit the jackpot tonight and trapped 3 male and 2 female HOSP tonight. I took no solace in eliminating them, but with 4 baby blues that are 3 days old in a neighboring box, I feel a little bit more secure in them making it out of the box alive………….

[Scot]

Trying again with pics. This is the nest…………

[Scot]

And again……….

[Scot]

What I found inside………..

And here are the 3 day old baby Blues in a neighboring box……..

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Nice pictures – looks like a dee – congrats!

[dogsandbirds]

No idea who will win the box but I’m not betting on the dees. They are usually bullied by the larger birds.

It looks like the dee started and was taken over. They don’t use all that coarse grass that is on top.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Scot]

So here is what I found……chickadee eggs……

But my TRES continue to sit on top of the box daily. They are clearly looking to build and lay eggs.

I’m thinking of putting up another box for the TRES. Any ideas as to the distance required between the chickadee box and my existing bluebird box with 4 babies to avoid any proximity “issues”?

[David in Stafford,VA]

Give them as much space as you can while keeping the box clear of trees, shrubs, fences, etc. that could be an entry way for predators.

Good luck with the dee’s

David
Stafford, VA

[dogsandbirds]

I don’t know about the distance issue but please consider reducing the size of the hole where the dees are. They can enter a 1.25″ hole. The TRES and EABL cannot and it would keep the dees safer.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[tamsea]

Yes, put up another box quickly. As in tomorrow. That will help with the TRES situation. I like Gins idea about the hole reducer. You can make one using a milk jug. Look on the Sialis website for size.

Tammy

[Scot]

Today, I saw HOSP looking into the DEE nest box. I’ll be installing a hole reducer today. I have 1.125 and 1.25 reducers. Any thoughts on which one to use? I know Gin had suggested 1.25.

Also, I threw up a spooker on that box this morning right after I saw the HOSP scoping it out. Anyone have any experience on using a spooker with Dees?

Thx

Scot in PA

[dogsandbirds]

1.25 is perfect for dees. The other one is too small. Only a HOWR could get in there and probably wouldn’t try because it would be hard to carry in sticks.

Dees are fine with spookers. Put it on, please.

Gin
Atlanta, GA

[Scot]

Done, and done.

Thanks, Gin

[Lisa]

Good luck! I love my dees but they never nest with me….

[Scot]

I’m happy to have them, but they’re nowhere near as exciting to watch as EBL and TRES.

[Author]

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