One of the fledglings has figured out the mealworm feeder already

18 years ago

Wow, it figured it out pretty quickly especially since they have only been coming into the backyard again since Thursday and just started following the parents to the branch by the feeder since Saturday. Just a bit ago one went right in and started eating the mealworms itself, didn't even fall in the dish or anything LOL! I am almost out of mealworms too but should be getting some in tomorrow thankfully.

Oh and I have to share this pic with you. One that was a lucky capture since I was already in the van to leave and realized I forgot my sunglasses in the house ran in to get them and saw this out the kitchen window, grabbed the camera and got just a few shots off before they flew. I am amazed I got any, didn't have time to adjust anything and I have been having a terrible time focusing for some reason lately!

Donna

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Comments (14)

donnalovesblue
18 years ago
That's one of the cutest pics ever! Baby on the right is going to make sure he gets that (or she?) juicy bug first! His sibling is probably thinking, "can't we share this snack"???

BTW, are you getting your mealworms at a local store or ordering on line? Sunshine informed me last week they are STILL out and hope to have some by Aug. 1.

Glad you forgot your glasses so you could get this adorable pic...thanks.

Donna
debbie321
18 years ago
WOW!! GREAT picture I love it!!
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The plastic upright drawer unit can be purchased at KMart, Target or anywhere storage units are sold. The drawer sizes vary about 12w"x15d"x4 to 7"h, the total unit is about 4feet tall & has wheels & 6 drawers. You can drill small holes in the top drawer where the beetles live since the eggs are tiny and will fall through to the next drawer(otherwise the beetles will eat the eggs). A better way is to cut out the bottom of the drawer (leaving about a 1" margin) & tape down or staple plastic window screening over the opening. Place any beetles you have in this drawer. Make sure you have a small refrigerator (set at no lower than 40 degrees)to keep the mealworms from transforming into pupae, then beetles. The beetles will die after laying eggs. You can feed the dead beetles to wild birds, bluebirds, bluejays, cardinals, etc. The beetles don't fly so you can set them on ground in a feeding dish. There are several excellent websites on growing mealworms, especially in you tube
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Although I have a different feeder, ours is clamped to the deck rail, just outside the patio door. Even in the deepest snow, I can open the door and reach around to fill the feeder without even getting my feet wet. And I can see right through the window whether it is empty or not. The most important thing, though, is the safety of the birds. The deck is high enough off the ground, and cannot be climbed by predators. We do not offer seed feeders which are known to attract opportunistic hawks, etc. And we only offer a handful of mealworms 2 or 3 times a day to minimize "traffic". The bluebirds come and eat the mealworms and then move on, and no other birds are even aware of the offerings (no competition). I've given up on the photography though. Some of the folks here have posted such beautiful pics! They have more time, talent, and equipment than I could ever hope for. And I enjoy them so much! Now you be careful on that ice! It can be treacherous, and it can even be deadly. BlueBars Here is a link that might be useful:
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mullipuff
18 years ago
SOOOOO Cute! My second nest fledglings never came back to my yard, so I'm living vicariously through everyone else's pics!
dzyg
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks! I just cannot get enough of watching these little ones. Last evening all of them were at the feeder with mom and dad. It was empty but I quickly went and put the last of my mealworms out (shipment better be here today!) and watched the little ones try to figure it out, one just ate what dropped to the deck under the feeder, one sat in the dish, one was in the mealworm feeder but let the mom feed her/him and then there was one in the branch. I am pretty sure about this, there were four there last night, I thought we had lost one but I am pretty sure there were four. I was trying to take pics so I couldn't be positive though.

Donna, I am ordering online through that Southeastern Insectaries out of Georgia, dean had posted about it. Shipping is outrageous though, they are running about $12 per 1000 with shipping. I too am waiting for Sunshine to order from, hopefully by August!

Donna
bluebars
18 years ago
Oh they are so funny when they sit in the mealworm dish, looking so smug. Sometimes they go after their siblings' toes, thinking its a bug. Too funny.
BlueBars
bluebirdbabe
18 years ago
Sometimes I think the babies are smarter than the adults! The baby Orioles have figured out the oriole feeder with sugar water in it, but adults just can't seem to figure it out. After some trying, they go to the jelly feeder.

Your pictures are precious!!! The baby in the bowl is just adorable.

Karen
mollysg
18 years ago
The babies are tooooo cute. My second batch of babies flew off Sat. night or early Sun. morning havent seen them yet. Mom and Dad are already back building another nest. This is my first year having bluebirds. I am so excited to have them. FYI, I ordered mealworms from Duncraft Monday will have by Thursday.The shipping was free. Try that sight if you would like.
dzyg
Original Author
18 years ago
Molly, Wow, thanks for the Duncraft tip, I could have saved some $$ ordering from them but then I wanted them today which I knew I could get ordering from Southern Insectaries, I ordered yesterday and got them this morning. However if I order in a more timely matter next time I could save some money on the next day shipping. Let me know how your worms are when you get them!

Donna
kenn3d
18 years ago
Hi Donna,

I'm happy to see your success with the fledglings... great pictures!

molly - "I ordered mealworms from Duncraft Monday will have by Thursday.The shipping was free. Try that sight if you would like."

Thanks for the tip. But was that free-shipping a special you found somewhere? I just checked duncraft.com and 5000 live worms with snailmail shipping (7-10 business days!??) checksout at $55.50. I'm currently paying a couple of dollars less for Next Day DHL from Georgia... and from them I get LIVE worms. I doubt Duncraft's supplier can guarantee live worms will survive over a week in the mail.

I need to order again now, so... hmmm. I think I must call Southern Insectaries again. :[

Kenn
dzyg
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks everyone. I must say I have been taking tons and tons of pictures when the babies come. I think there are three boys and a girl, but I am not sure. I love watching the six of them fly in. They are not staying in our yard for the most part they are back by the field behind our property but they come to eat regularly and I love love love to watch them.

Kenn, I just got an order from Southern Insecataries yesterday, I must say even though they are pricey this year they do have really good worms and I love to order one day and have them the next. I am so hoping Sunshine has some available soon though that DHL shipping from Georgia is ridiculous! Oh and I checked that Duncraft site and it told me they offered free shipping on your first order only.

Donna
kenn3d
18 years ago
Hi Donna,

I bump this now to say we're still paying the price for DHL worms too... and hope that Sunshine (and the weather) will cooperate to reduce our mealie expen$e$ soon.

So... I guess you've likely got some more nice photos of your bluebirds since you started this thread, no?

If so you should let us see them! :)

Kenn

Here is a link that might be useful: Kenn & Temple's Bluebird Fledglings
nhblues
17 years ago
Donna, fabulous pictures!

I am with all of you on the expensive mealies. I just emailed Sunshine, today, and they are still out. They told me hope to have some for sale in September! UUUGh, September! I ordered 30k a month from them all last year at $100 a whack... I'm "rationing" now! LOL.
I am reduced to paying $29 for 2,000 mealies at WBU. I'm trying to find a bright side... At least they are large!
bonkers_for_blues
17 years ago
Donna those are absolutely precious! Definitely put a smile on my face! :)
dzyg
Original Author
17 years ago
I have been getting my mealies through New York Worms, they have all sizes now and nice mealies. The large are more expensive then the medium though so I have been getting the medium. 5000 medium are $39.75, 5000 large are $45.50, this includes priority shipping which I have had no problems with. I have found a place in MN to get waxworms from, I think because I am so close the overnight shipping isn't bad. They used Speedee Delivery last time and the shipping charge was only $7 for overnight delivery! I got 500 for $21.

Donna

One of the fledglings has figured out the mealworm feeder already

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One of the fledglings has figured out the mealworm feeder already

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