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Feeding Blues

17 years ago

My plan is to feed worms, at least some, all winter, but I was worried that the Blues wouldn't eat anything else at the feeder until I stopped the worms entirely. So I made a divided feeding dish (I love my glue gun!) and put in live mealworms, freeze dried mealworms, bluebird nuggets, and insect-filled suet. It took only a week or so---they're now eating all except the dried worms! I'm so happy!

I'm clinging to every moment of this...when I read Donna's HOSP posts and others, I realize how short lived my Bluebird Paradise could be....

Ann

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Comments (5)

donnalovesblue
17 years ago
Ann...I know your blues appreciate the tasty buffet you're
providing. As long as they have live mealworms, they'll probably continue to ignore the dried ones. Once they get used to the dish and the delicious offerings, you can move the dish if you like, and they will follow!

I don't know where you live or how long you have been "bluebirding"...this was my first year to have them as nesters and it was so exciting! Many errands and meals were suspended because I didn't want to leave the house...just sit and watch the action!LOL...It's called an addiction!

Here's hoping your paradise will be free and clear of HOSPS. Not to dampen your spirits, but I thought my yard was totally SAFE and assumed it would be that way forever. You will probably have no problems, just be aware that it's a possibility...learn to recognize them!

Did you make your own suet?

Happy Bluebirding!

Donna
Ann
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Donna...I'm in eastern Maryland.

This is my first year in bluebirds; I saw them on the bike trail which is just a few yards from my house, so I put up a house, and they arrived! At first HOSPs chased them away and made a nest. (I had NO idea how awful that was at the time!!) When the sparrow babies fledged I washed out the box and waited. The blues came back soon after that and had 1 clutch of 4 babies.

I have no reason to think I won't be overrun with sparrows, except that it hasn't happened yet. I see loads of house finches, cardinals, goldfinches, titmice (is that right?)and chickadees mostly. I do see sparrows and wrens, but they don't linger. But if they chase my Blues away, I'll lose my mind.

I did not make the suet---I bought non-melting insect-filled suet at the local wild bird store. It's pretty revolting! Is it possible to buy dead bugs in bulk?? I don't really get it...how are they preserved? Why doesn't suet get rancid? The whole thing is very distasteful to me, but there's little I won't do for my birds. My mealworm farm is proof of that!

I also don't want to leave the house! After I harass my 5 year old to hurry up and get ready to go, I have gotten caught at the window staring at the birds... She hasn't called me on it yet, but I'm sure it's coming!

Donna, I'm so sorry about your HOSPS. Maybe they'll be gone as fast as they arrived and the blues will be back!

Ann
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mimidi
17 years ago
I am feeding BBs mealy worms for the first time. Ann how long did it take the BBs to find your feast of worms? I put out my first worms this afternoon.

When is the best time to put out mealy worms.
Ann
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Mimidi,

I started mealworms when my blues were in the nestbox---I don't think the babies had hatched yet. I started by putting them in a bird bath about 5' in front of the house. They didn't find them after several days (and hundreds of worms baked in the sun) so I actually put them in a little plastic dish which I attached to the doorway of the house. I knew I was taking a calculated risk, but I watched as they checked it out fearfully, then eventually went past it into the house. Within 24 hours they were eating the worms. Then I moved the bowl VERY, VERY gradually to the desired location.

If there is a location you know they go regularly, start there and use a clear bowl. At least this time of year, they won't bake!

I now have worms in the birdbath also (in preparation for my winter plan: bird bath warmer and bowl of worms in bird bath) and they found those too fairly quickly.

Good luck!

Ann
mimidi
17 years ago
Aha. I had thought about the birdbath yesterday. Thank you for the suggestion. I checked the few worms I put out yesterday and they have not been found yet. I will get a glass bowl and put some in the birdbath today. I understand what you mean about the plastic. I guess the same goes for aluminum pie plants too.

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