I have a Reubens Montana Odorata that is huge and interwined with a New Dawn. I notice that there is a large amount of die back on it and plan to give it a major cut back after blooming. Wish us both luck!

The best source of bluebirding information on line, in my opinion, is www.sialis.org . It can answer almost any question you can think of, and a few you don't even know you have! Also, check to see if your state has a bluebird society. If you plan to put up nestboxes, check to be sure you are locating them in proper bluebird habitat (it sounds like you have plenty of that!) and that you are installing them correctly so that the birds you attact are as safe as possible. You also want to be sure that you are using a NABS (North American Bluebird Society) approved nestbox. As for feeding, many people offer mealworms and there are several different types of mealworm feeders available. Sialis has information on various feeders on their site, as well. Good luck with your endeavor and please feel free to ask questions here--there are many experienced bluebird landlords that are happy to help. Kathy Here is a link that might be useful: Bluebird Resource

A bluebird nesting box on a pole would probably attract them. I tack a tuna can with drainage holes punched in it on the roof of the box & place about 25 dried mealworms in it.

Readers Digest Book of North American Birds; ISBN 0895773511; 1990. A Fufous-sided Towhee: Pipilo erythrophthalmus: "Scratching about with one foot at a time, like barnyard poultry, rufous-sided towhees gather their food from the very bosom of the earth. It is little wonder, then, that these active birds used to be called ground robins, especially since their well-hidden nests of stems and leaves are nestled so close to the ground. Today they are named towhees because that is the sound most people hear in their song. But they were once known as chewinks, from the call they make when alarmed. In some parts of the West that call is phonetically transcribed as shrenk, while in others it sounds more like the meowing of catbirds. In sections of the Southeast they unquestionably call Louise! And although their song is translated into English in most parts of the country as "chip towhee" or "drink your tea," the birds seem to drawl it in the South, and are apt to sing chip chup chup zeeeeeee, or just a buzzy zeeeeee, in the West. Their visual field marks too are almost as varied as their vocal ones. Rusous-sided towhees in Florida have white eyes instead of red ones, and those in the West have two white wing bars plus numerous white spots on their wings and backs. But no matter where they live, all rufous-sided towhees come flying in low to the ground with the side patches in their tails looking like white chiffon streamers trailing dramatically behind them."