On March 4, a pair of Chestnut-backed Chickadees had built a nest in our nest box after I put out suet for a winter. Looking into it floored me - they built a thick mat of moss topped with cozy dog fur, shaped into a cup!

By March 13th, they had laid 5 little eggs (buried in fur).

Yesterday (April 1st) I peeked in again, and saw that two chicks had hatched! Checking infrequently was a real test of the observation-seeking scientist vs. first time host to a baby bird nest in me.

I am smitten it is the most amazing thing in the world!!! Though I& #39;ve found nests before, there& #39;s nothing like being part of the whole process and seeing them raise chicks! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😍" title="Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😍" title="Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes" aria-label="Emoji: Smiling face with heart-shaped eyes"> Esp after a nest box that has been vacant for years!