The first broods of bluebirds, Carolina wrens, and chickadees have fledged. So should we rid the nest boxes of old nest material and all its mess as soon as babies fledge? Research says, that depends.

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. The types of birds that you attract in your yard can play a big role in the type of nesting activity that you'll see in your bird box and when ...

DEAR JOAN: What is the right time to remove a nest from a nest box after the nestlings have fledged? I removed an abandoned nest last year that had four unhatched bluebird eggs. A new family built a ...