Subject: [Tweeters] Failed Chestnut-backed Chickadee nest
Date: Jun 11 08:08:01 2011
From: Robin Baird - rwbaird at cascadiaresearch.org


We have a pair of Chestnut-backed Chickadees that have just abandoned a nest with five eggs, a month after they were laid (and ~10-12 days after they should have hatched). We have a nest box cam in the nest and the female was still incubating until mid-morning yesterday and has not been back since. I presume it is best to remove the entire nest, in case they (or other chickadees) want to re-nest? Or just to remove the eggs? Is it too late for any chickadees to start nesting?

Any local museum/school interested in the nest/eggs?

This is the fourth year we've had Chestnut-backed Chickadees nest in the box, and the second time the eggs failed to hatch despite full-time incubation.

Thanks

Robin Baird
Olympia, WA