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.

Carolina wrens, unlike house wrens, live here year-round. So Carolinas have a wing up, so to speak, on house wrens: They get first choice on nesting quarters. In fact, they’re well along with nest ...