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.

Ms. Renkl is a contributing Opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South. See more of our coverage in your search results.Encuentra más de nuestra cobertura en ...

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 ...