>Hmmm..I hope I'm posting to the right address here..it's been so long
>since I've been but a lurker...
>
>Anyway, I have a simple question! We put up a chickadee box this spring,
>and voila! chickadees built a nest in it! The babes fledged sometime in
>the last couple of days, which is great. Now we're wondering if we
>should clean out the box. Would this encourage a second attempt? Or
>would the momma and poppa be more likely to try for a second brood if we
>leave the nest as it is?
>
>Thanks for any advice!
>
>Holly Hertzel
><hertzel at u.washington.edu>

I'm not an expert on nest boxes by any means, but I can only point out that
no one cleans out chickadee nests in hollow trees!

Dennis Paulson, Director phone: (206) 756-3798
Slater Museum of Natural History fax: (206) 756-3352
University of Puget Sound e-mail: dpaulson at ups.edu
Tacoma, WA 98416