Da Birdz Wuz Here

We have this little breezeway between my kitchen door and the door that leads to the deck. We kept the storm door open all winter because our dog, Lily, is afraid to use the doggy door.  The breezeway is tiny, but big enough to fit our recycling bins and our mops and brooms.  It's also a total dumping ground for all things that don't belong in the house, but also don't belong in the yard.  However, it seems like a little family of birds didn't mind the clutter.

Not sure what the protocol is with bird nests.  How do I determine that it's abandoned?  We have a family of birds in the gutter and another one in the bird house.  I think I need to have a talk with the yard creatures and see if we can rearrange some of the housing options.