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.

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 ...

Q: I recently had a flagstone patio installed in my backyard. I love the patio, but I also love having my bird feeder, so the flagstones are covered with bird poop. I routinely take down the feeder at ...