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Need advice, please...

17 years ago

We live on 4 acres and have had bluebirds for the past 2 years. Last week, we had a brief warm spell and I saw the bluebirds sitting on the nest box and the platform feeder. That afternoon, I went out and cleaned out the nest boxes in my yard. Every morning since, I have put out mealworms on the platform feeder.

I haven't seen the bluebirds since. Have I done something wrong? I just read the sialis.org site and realized I should've cleaned out the nest boxes in the fall, but we had tree sparrows after bluebirds....

It's also becoming difficult to find meal worms. Is there another worm they will eat?

Thank you,

Sissy

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Comments (6)

donnalovesblue
17 years ago
Sissy, don't worry as I really suspect your blues will return even though you just cleaned out the boxes. I don't know when yours began nesting last year, but they seem to be busy checking out real estate.

I haven't had live mealworms in quite awhile, but I've been feeding the dried ones (purchased locally) and the blues love them, though I think they probably prefer live ones. Several on this forum are getting their live worms from NY Worms. The blues also like waxworms. As soon as my blues start nesting, I'll order some, but for now, they'll have to make do with the dried ones. Good luck!

Donna
bluebars
17 years ago
I seriously doubt TREE SPARROWS are after bluebirds. The American Tree Sparrow does not nest in boxes and would not bother bluebirds.
However, PLEASE visit http://www.sialis.org/ and learn about HOUSE SPARROWS. Google them both. Compare the pictures.
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Tree_Sparrow
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bbcathy
17 years ago
I think she meant that Tree Swallows nested in the box after the Bluebirds. That is what I'm assuming. Yes? If not Bluebars is right. Please check out and learn about house sparrows which are VERY dangerous to Bluebirds.
Cathy
sissyz
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes!! Tree Swallows!! So sorry! Swallow is quite different than sparrow, as I have learned the past couple of hours, reading this forum and others!
Thanks so much for your help....
bbcathy
17 years ago
How many boxes do you have? I usually have Blues, Dees and Tree Swallows nesting in my yard and I only have 2 acres here. Keep reading the sialis website. There are so many dangers to learn about - predators, parasites, hosps and more
Cathy
bluebars
17 years ago
BIG SIGH of relief from BlueBars! Whew, tree swallows! OK I can relax now.
Maybe you can get an idea about your nesting season from these web sites:
North American Bluebird Society - Affiliates
Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter (Click on CBC and BBC map to see migration patterns, and Glossary for definitions.)
BlueBars

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