Hello Tweeters,

Last week on January 25, my wife was surprised to find a nest in a wooden, hanging chickadee nest box.
She began doing the yearly nest box cleaning, by opening the hinged, full size, side of the nest box.
It was completely filled with green moss.

When she carefully pulled out the whole contents, she was stunned to find a small cup on top with two hummingbird 🥚 🥚 eggs.
She then carefully slid the whole intact contents back in, with no structural disruption.
I am aware that some Anna's nest as early as January, but we had never seen one this early and never in a bird box.
I decided not to take a look inside the box, but watched from our living room window to see you if a female entered. I watched for about an hour. I did not see movement at the box.
However, as I watched, a female landed higher in the Birch tree, one of its usual perches. Twice, a male bird landed within a few inches of her. They then mated.

It is possible that it is an old, abandoned nest, but we won't disturb it and patiently wait to see if there is activity.

Black-capped Chickadees successfully nested there last year.
We were surprised that the moss seemed fresh-green and not dry.

Anyone else have Anna's nest in nest boxes?

Thanks,
Dan Reiff
MI


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