Subj: Re: Feeding Questions
Date: 11/3/99 10:56:41 PM Central Standard Time
From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: hubertrap"at"webtv.net
To: uzgreyzone"at"webtv.net, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Hi Stephanie, My opinion is that it will be very difficult for you to feed
Bluebirds at your yard. You have not had a bluebird visit there that you
mentioned so it's very unlikely any will show up in your yard in NY during the
winter. Have some beef suet in your freezer just in case a miracle does happen.
They will eat small crumbs up to pea size.
Remember they swallow food whole in winter. A square block of wood on the
ground is all you need to place food on. Clean snow off. Feeding them has
nothing to do with getting them to nest next spring. Don't expect any to show up
now untill it gets near zero. Joe Huber Venice FL On Gulf coast.
Charter member NABS, Charter member OBS, Life member OBS Joe Huber
hubertrap"at"webtv.net
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/HOUSESPARROWCONTROL
http://community.webtv.net/hubertrap/RoostingBluebirds
Subj: bbs, and theory on varying food source
Date: 12/10/99 2:35:02 PM Central Standard Time
From: hpandtl"at"crocker.com (Haleya Priest/Thom Levy)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: hpandtl"at"crocker.com
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD)
Haleya Priest Amherst MA
We are all wondering what the heck bbs do in the winter. Here's the report from
Amherst MA. It's been declared by me that bbs definitely stay in this area for
the winter. Think I can safely say that now that it is nearly mid-December and
they are still here. So, what is it that they do? They hang in family groups.
They come here by about 7:00am and feed for a while then fly away to some other
location for food then back again, all morning and early afternoon in and out,
in and out. They hang around after feeding and always check out the 2 boxes.
They are gone by 2:00pm no matter if it is a clear day or not. They roost who
knows where.
Anyway, I think I am also deciding that bbs don't get hooked on mealies, given
they are given plenty here along with banquet but even still they don't stay
here exclusively for food. I suppose that would be stupid - and perhaps totally
instinctive to vary your feeding habitat elsewise predators would learn more
easily that you are a good target. I bet this is one of the ways to keep those
predators guessing. And in this case, they are very smart birds to vary their
feeding habitat cuz I've got a sharp-shinned hanging around. Almost flew
headlong into us chasing a goldfinch - who must have thought we might be good
cover!!
PS. Mr. Mockingbird (right now I think he is just an overgrown housewren) has
given up on TOTAL domination. Trying to rule 3 feeders must be just tooooo much
for the old boy......
PPSS. I don't think NUT rules as much as Wendell, but I love that honk. He's
welcome in our yard anytime- and I haven't seen the mocker attack him ever. H
Subj: Winter feeding.
Date: 12/27/99 7:45:11 PM Central Standard Time
From: blueburd"at"srnet.com (Bruce Burdett)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: blueburd"at"srnet.com
To: maryanna1"at"prodigy.net
CC: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L)
Mary, et al,
No, I never fed them (Bluebirds) when we lived in CT. Since then, everything
I've heard and read and seen on this List convinces me that they do NOT need our
help. They are not seed-eaters, and when they can't find enough insects and
berries to sustain them, they just drift on south until they find what they
require. The fact that they are in your area proves that they are finding enough
to eat, with or without your help. If they weren't, they wouldn't be there. We
might even do them a DISSERVICE by feeding them, since they might be encouraged
to stay up north long enough to get nailed by a winter storm.
The whole question of whether birds need feeding help or not is highly
controversial. All we know for sure is that we enjoy doing it. I expect that
you'll hear from others about this one.
Bruce Burdett, NH Bluebird Conspiracy, Sunapee NH
Subj: Re: Winter feeding.
Date: 12/28/99 7:06:18 PM Central Standard Time
From: dmccue"at"usit.net (Dan McCue)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: dmccue"at"usit.net
To: bjohnso3"at"midsouth.rr.com
CC: blueburd"at"srnet.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu ("\"BLUEBIRD-L\"")
Bruce & All - What a great letter on this post about the research project you've
undertaken to determine how and what do eabl do during severe and rapid changes
in the weather for which they are ill equipped. I have done a number of
observations when I lived in OH and quite a few more since I've been in western
TN. My experience has shown that the eabl is equipped for most cold weather
except icing. The spring of '94 here in west TN was disasterous to them. Food
and protection from the icy rain that froze as hit the ground objects allowed
only the birds to roost in either roost boxes or nest boxes or
wherever they could find shelter. A friend of mine had an active bluebird house
and rain had frozen as it hit the house and ran down over the entrance hole and
formed a 'jail' for the birds inside, which he was unaware that they were
inside, later into the morning when everbody was sawing up limbs and trees, he
thought he would check out the house and when he opened it 6 eabl flew out to
his startled amazement. They probably were thirsty and hungry since their
matabolism is rather high and need alot of protein.
I keep suet out on the feeders all winter long as you know. Mainly, just for
that very reason, so they will come to it and remember where it is, should such
an emergency arise.
Great job, Bruce and if I personally can aid you in any way, let me know. I
appreciate your earlier responses as well as you other posters. What a great
bunch of friends who are always ready to help the less informed.
Happy New Years to ya'll. Dan McCue, Camden, TN 70 miles due west of Nashville.
Bruce Johnson wrote:
Hello Bruce & All:
When you start making hard and fast statements about nature
you are taking big leap. There are usually exceptions to a
lot of things, and feeding and sheltering bluebirds in
winter months is one.
Here in western Tennessee a few winters ago we lost a
tremendous amount of bluebirds due to icing and extreme
cold. This begs the question, how are they going to eat if
everything is covered with ice and how are they, without
food for energy going to drift on to warmer climes when
these conditions suddenly sweep in, even if they knew to do
so.
One of my friends that operates a nursery and gift shop told
me about finding several bluebirds frozen to death during
extreme cold. They had congregated among some clay pots on
the ground trying to get in out of the cold. There was
probably enough air movement that no body heat buildup
occurred and they all perished.
In the severe conditions mentioned above and all out effort
to provide food and shelter would not make a big difference
in the overall bluebird population, but it would with the
birds that are aquatinted with the facilities you provide in
your area.
The loss we had caused me to start doing research on how
bluebirds survive the severe weather. This project is still
ongoing. I would like to say that I have gotten more
information on this subject by far from this forum than from
all the other sources combined. Cheers to you in abundance
and a hair shirt on the so-called experts that did not
respond to a request for information on what many think is
an important issue.
The best that the experts could come up with a year ago was
that "Very Little Is Known About The Wintering Habits Of The
Bluebird." That is not good enough for me and I'm glad to
count myself among all the wonderful folks on this forum
that are seeking all the information they can get.
No, this is not a sour grapes letter, just a follow up on a
subject that needs to be explored until we can say we know
whether or not it is a problem and how to best help if there
is one.
Best regards,
Bruce Johnson ~ Life Mbr. NABS
2795 Long Oak Drive
Germantown TN 38138
901-755-6842
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Burdett"
To:
Cc: "BLUEBIRD-L"
Sent: Monday, December 27, 1999 7:36 PM
Subject: Winter feeding.
...
Subj: Re: Thanks for feeder info
Date: 12/29/99 7:41:43 PM Central Standard Time
From: springer"at"alltel.net (Gary Springer)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: springer"at"alltel.net
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD-L), maryanna1"at"prodigy.net
CC: springer"at"alltel.net (Gary Springer)
Dear Mary,
If you are seeing Eastern Bluebirds in Connecticut in December on a regular
basis, I do not think they are "passer-throughs".
Apparently there is an abundant supply of food nearby probably consisting of
berries and small fruits that persist into the winter.
I would also imagine that there are some areas with thick vegetative growth near
you. Many different species of small shrubs and vines which comprise this type
of thick habitat bear the type of berries that persist into the winter and which
make up a good portion of wintering Eastern Bluebirds' diet.
Other than providing the type of berry rich habitat referred to above, I have
not fed Bluebirds. However, I do see how many of these birds lives could be
saved during inclement weather by feeding.
If temperatures plummet into the single digits for more than a couple days
following a heavy ice storm, it is likely many of your Blues will be lost. I
know these type of events are part of nature's thinning process but at this
point when these birds are still recovering from events which man has inflicted
on them, I believe it would be worth assisting them through these severe weather
patterns.
However, I prefer not to feed seeds or insects to birds during the summer months
when there are plenty of insects available to them in the wild. The more insects
consumed by birds, the less insecticide that will be introduced into our
environment and diet. The more we feed birds during the summer, the more
insecticides will be used to destroy the insects they haven't eaten.
Accordingly, throwing out seed for birds in the summer is about the same thing
as throwing out insecticide into the environment.
Has anyone had success in teaching Eastern Bluebirds to come to feeders for
berries fruits etc during the winter months without first feeding them insects
during the summer months? If so, how did you attract them? What type of feeder
did you use?
Gary Springer
Northeast Georgia
----- Original Message -----
From: Mary K.
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 1999 7:03 PM
Subject: Thanks for feeder info
I've decided, after reading all the different responses, not to offer my
bluebirds "special" food at the feeders. Watching them use the birdbath is what
I will "settle" for. I don't think I am seeing the same ones every day, just
passer-throughs.
There are 3 bluebird houses in our yard that they roost in at night. We put them
up 5 years ago and have been fortunate to watch their families grow every year
since.
We have been feeding all birds who wish to dine in our yard for several years.
Every year the population increases at the feeders (I feed year round).
Bluebirds have never eaten at the feeders but they rest on the bars for lenghty
periods of time which hold the different feeders. They are so beautiful and I
wanted to feed them to be helpful to their winter survival but I do think they
probably just move on to southern food supplies as part of their natural
instincts (thanks to the literature many have alerted me online to read).
I also enjoy the occasional snow bunting and indigo which pass through. We see
many cardinals, blue jays, juncos, chickadees, finches, tufts, nuthatches, and
even some cow birds which usually are gone this time of the year.
Does anyone know of a Plus theme for birding that is colorful and whimsical,
that I could download?
Mary, Windham, CT
Subj: Re: Thanks for feeder info
Date: 12/30/99 8:13:35 AM Central Standard Time
From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: hubertrap"at"webtv.net
To: springer"at"alltel.net, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Hello all, Gary ask, Has anyone had success at teaching Bluebirds to come to the
feeder during winter for berries with out first feeding them meal worms during
the summer?? Yes, My first experience at feeding the Bluebirds came during the
second year they used a roost box in our yard. After the first year of winter
time roosting I learned what they ate from the seed droppings in the roost box.
The next year there was a supply of Multiflora rose stems and beef suet ready
for them. Only small amounts were used because other birds would eat the suet
crumbs. Once they started using the roost it was learned just what time of day
they would be there. After that the new supply of food was put out about 5
minutes before they arrived so it was fresh and untouched by other birds. By
late afternoon all Starling had left the area so they never seen the suet.
(About 2 tablespoonful) Nothing bothered the Multiflora rose hips. A Cardinal
would at times chew on a berry or two but there was always some there. My only
purpose of feeding was to get photos of them in winter. If a dozen bluebirds
were using the roost only 4-5 would use the feeder. No special feeder is
required unless you are feeding meal worms. Almost every bird at the feeder eats
them. My feeder was a large homemade table feeder. One end was for Bluebirds.
All of this took place in central Ohio where there are some very cold winters.
It always amazed me to see them leave the roost in the AM then fly off to the
north east. Usually not seen again until late afternoon between 4:00 and 4;30
just like clock work. As the day light changed so did their arrival time. Has
any one else had this experience for some 20 years?? There is no definite
pattern to migration. Many do stay north or the winter. Think we will hear bout
that this winter. It takes proper habitat to support them and many bluebirders
don't live near their nest boxes. My neighbors in Ohio had not seen the
Bluebirds in winter during my experience with them. Rambled long enough. Joe
Huber Venice Fl
Subj: Bluebird Feeding in winter - confused
Date: 1/9/00 10:24:17 AM Central Standard Time
From: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com
To: Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Jane Pound Ridge NY
Last year when I first moved here and saw bluebirds in winter I put up a
bluebird feeder and tried bluebird treat. No blues used it. The bluebirds are
still here this winter ( although as someone else said they are MIA every now
and then but come back after a week or so) but after reading much of what was
written on this site recently I got the impression that many people thought we
shouldn't feed, that they would manage on their own or leave if it got too cold
or the food supply ran out. I took my feeder down.
However lately in reply to a new member a lot of you have been advising on
feeding, (of a lone male) and there has been further discussion of migration
which seems to say that most eastern bluebirds do not migrate very far at least.
Mine are still here and it seems that they may stay around from what is being
said. It has been a pretty mild winter so far of course but I don't want them to
starve if it gets colder. Should I put that feeder back up?
Subj: Re: Bluebird Feeding in winter - confused
Date: 1/9/00 11:57:09 AM Central Standard Time
From: hubertrap"at"webtv.net (Joe Huber)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: hubertrap"at"webtv.net
To: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Hi Jane, By all means put your feeder back up if you so desire. This may give
you an opportunity to observe them during the winter. I feel very sure feeding
them has no influence on making them stay any longer. Think their plans are
already made based on a natural food supply in your area. They can survive most
cold winter weather. Sometimes it is very difficult to get them started at using
a feeder especially during the winter. I can remember one winter in Ohio when
Bluebirds were using a roost box in the back yard on a regular basis. There were
3 times that winter that cold fronts came thru and went below 0. There were
times it never got above zero during the day. Each afternoon they arrived on
schedule to visit my feeder an then go to roost. Not all of them came to the
feeders. Some flew over the hill to the west of our yard to feed on Sumac and
other berries. I could still see them but not well enough to see everything they
were eating. On real cold days some went into the roost early and stayed. Some
would go in and out several times before they all settled in to stay. This very
cold weather didn't seem to bother them. Generally 13 to 14 would stay. The most
ever seen was 20 and these I counted as they left one morning.
Subj: Re: Bluebird Feeding in winter - confused
Date: 1/9/00 3:38:50 PM Central Standard Time
From: hpandtl"at"crocker.com (Haleya Priest/Thom Levy)
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: hpandtl"at"crocker.com
To: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu (BLUEBIRD)
Haleya Priest Amherst MA
Dear Jane - of course you are confused! There are two camps here. One camp says
FEED the bluebirds the other camp says DON'T feed bluebirds. The only agreement
between these two camps is that the bluebirds don't NEED to be fed - unless
there are extenuating circumstances such as an ice storm or the babies have lost
their parents. Feeding them is for our own enjoyment. From there on out, there
will never be a consensus between the two camps. So, you have to hear what both
sides say and choose for yourself what feels best to you. Ask as many questions
as you need to make up your mind. H :-)
JaneHopeC"at"aol.com wrote:
Jane Pound Ridge NY
Last year when I first moved here and saw bluebirds in winter I put up a
...
Subj: Re: Bluebird Feeding in winter - confused
Date: 1/10/00 2:29:06 PM Central Standard Time
From: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com
To: Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Jane, Pound Ridge NY
Dear all who answered my question about winter feeding,
Thanks! I have heard from both 'camps' and have made my decision about "to feed
or not to feed'. Haleya helped in this by stressing that there is at least
agreement on one thing - that the birds don't NEED to be fed, and it is for our
own pleasure if we do so.
What I have decided (and this applies only to WINTER , I am only just getting up
my first boxes and no doubt will be asking questions about feeding during
nesting if I get any occupants) is NOT to feed. My reasons for this are:
1) If the birds don't NEED help by feeding then we can do no harm by not
feeding. BUT if those who say we may be interfering with natural movements by
feeding are correct, then we might be doing harm by feeding. This seems logical
to me.
2)I have only been in this area for two mild winters and have not met another
person who even knows we have bluebirds in this immediate locality. I feel I
need to see if bluebirds stay without artificial encouragement during a harsher
winter before I would feel confident that they overwinter here. My observations
so far are that it is a good habitat for winter food (wooded, swampy in places)
and that they are roaming around enjoying the variety. But I have yet to have an
opportunity to observe what they do in a long period of harsh weather. Maybe in
areas where they are known to overwinter every year, especially those that
coincide with trails which provide roosting places, a different decision might
apply.
3)Although I would dearly love to see them more right here on my property I do
see them quite frequently by going for long walks every day (my dog thinks I do
this for her sake only I'm sure!) and am satisfied with that.
All of you said I would need to listen to the various opinions and make my own
call. Well. that's it for now for what it's worth. Thanks again.
Jane
Subj: Fwd: Bluebirds migrate if fed?
Date: 1/11/00 6:21:22 PM Central Standard Time
From: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com
Sender: owner-BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Reply-to: JaneHopeC"at"aol.com
To: Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Haleya Priest Amherst MA
To the controversy over whether feeding blues will keep them from migrating....
What if we checked with all the people who are quitecertain that bluebirds don't
stay in their area all winter and find out if any of them have who have fed
their bbs during nesting season have had theirs stay behind. That might help the
debate. Although often times, debates in and of themselves have a life of their
own and can't be cracked! :-) H
PS As you probably all know, I am in the "feeding them won't make them stay
behind" camp. I am glad that Jane decided to NOT feed in the winter since it
isn't really necessary and she might as well save all that energy and focus for
nesting season. And if I could do it all over again, I might not be feeding mine
now for the very same reasons, but it is a precious sight to wake up every
single morning to bluebirds 3' feet away feeding. Close enough to see their
little chests rise and fall with their breath..... and then on and off again
throughout the day. I never tire of their breath or the wind blowing through
their puffed up feathers, or their quizzical looks as they cock their head to
see if their are any mealies in the banquet, or their ability to fly through the
porch rails in a second's notice or that blue color shining in the sun, or the
way the blue feathers meet the reddish/rust meet the white on their bodies, and
then their black claws, they are the best............
It is really easy to get hooked, for obvious reasons - so to those who are
considering feeding them, beware. It is micromanaging at it's finest. :-) H
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 11:25:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kim E Billings kim.billings"at"unh.edu
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: How late in the season to feed mealworms?
Hi everyone, I just joined this list a few days ago. This year has been my
first experience with bluebirds. We live in Kittery Point Maine and on Jan. 17,
I looked out the kitchen window and saw six bluebirds (four males and two
females) sitting in our heated granite birdbath (a new fixture in the backyard
at the time). We saw them sporadically until about March, when I invested in a
mealworm feeder and my first 1,000 mealworms.
A pair instantly began feeding and have ever since. Little did I know that my
grubco order would go from 1,000 every month, to 5,000 every month, to 5,000
every two weeks. This is because the pair nested in a bluebird box we put up and
on June 4, three baby birds hatched! They left the nest last
week, and this week the male has shown them the feeder. They wait on top and he
goes in, grabs a mouthful, and feeds them. He also has placed worms on the brick
walkway, and demonstrated hovering techniques to interested fledglings. But so
far, they prefer to have the food brought to them. I am of course only
supplementing their natural food, but I think it made a difference, as the
fledglings are big, fat, happy little birds! I won't go on and on, much as I'd
like to, they are so beautiful and fascinating to watch. I am late for
everything because I sit at the table with my Leicas and watch this family of
birds. Anyway, my question is this:
I currently split a 1/4 cup of worms between two cedar mealworm feeders,
twice a day, once at 5:30 a.m. and then at 6 p.m. When should I begin to
cut back and eventually taper off this worm source? I would like them to migrate
when they're supposed to though again, as I wrote at the start, they were here
in January. I don't want to do anything to screw up their natural instincts.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Kim Billings
Kittery Point, Maine
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 11:34:08 EDT
From: MSBOC"at"aol.com
To: kim.billings"at"unh.edu, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: How late in the season to feed mealworms?
Kim,
From my experience, you can't/won't screw up anything. They will tire of
mealworms in the fall and go off in search of berries. You'll see. One sad
day in August you'll whistle or come outside, and the won't be there. You will
feel your heart sink, and a big void spread through you! At that point I
still put out worms...though. Haleya, I think, fed through the winter. Does
anyone out there simply keep putting the worms out?
Nancy
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 12:04:55 -0400
From: "Randy Jones" randyj"at"enter.net
To: kim.billings"at"unh.edu
Cc: "Bluebird Listserve" bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Mealworms & migration
You can cut your expenses by growing them yourself. I had no prior experience
with them, but had raised earthworms as a way of disposing of organic garbage
from the kitchen. It takes very little time, and it is really nice not to have
to pay those big bills all the time. There's material about it on the Best of
Bluebird-L. Write me if you need any further help.
Re migration: More and more of us are becoming convinced that bluebirds do
not migrate from north to south, but from open areas (nesting time) to wooded
areas, since their warm weather food is insects, and their cold weather food is
berries and other fruit. How could you have bluebirds in your yard in Maine in
January if this were not true?
I'll admit that this is by no means a universal view, but it is one which is
finding lots of support these days.
I guess the answer to your question: "When do I stop feeding mealworms?"
depends on you. If the bluebirds are around... I think I'd feed them if there
was heavy winter weather and they were around, but also, if my property
permitted, think ahead and plant the kinds of trees and shrubs which would
provide winter food.
Randy Jones
Allentown PA
randyj"at"enter.net
Subject: How late in the season to feed mealworms?
When should I begin to
cut back and eventually taper off this worm source? I would like them to
...
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 10:45:10 -0700
From: "John Sibio" jsibio"at"vom.com
To: "NA Bluebird Society" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Bluebirds and Migrations
I have had western bluebirds nesting in my garden for the past four years,
and they stay in the area year-round. Some families have continued to roost in
the nest box throughout the winter. The family that nested there last season did
not do this; in fact, once the young were fledged we only saw them bathing in
the bird bath. The first pair to use this box returned to the box every evening
at sunset. Once the young fledged, they would return also. I don't know how they
all fit in the box, but one morning I saw eleven bluebirds sitting on my fence,
just waking up!
As far as feeding goes, I landscaped my property for the birds. I put out
Niger thistle seed for the goldfinch and house finches, and black oil sunflower
seed for other birds. I also have two nectar feeders; one for hummingbirds and
one for orioles. I grow honeysuckle, holly, dogwood, grapes, figs,
huckleberries, strawberries, etc. just for the birds. I also have a sizeable
herb garden which attracts many insects, as do the flowers I plant. Most of the
birds I see year-round, with the exception of the orioles and the Oregon juncoes.
The hummingbirds stay all year here, even though it occasionally freezes.
I make an effort to provide shelter and water, and a chemical-free patch of
land. So far, it has worked!
Barbara
Sonoma, CA
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 18:43:22 EDT
From: Phl806"at"cs.com
To: randyj"at"enter.net, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Mealworms & migration
In a Message dated 6/28/00 11:26:45 AM Central Daylight Time,
randyj"at"enter.net writes:
More and more of us are becoming convinced that bluebirds do
not migrate from north to south, but from open areas (nesting time) to
bb's do NOT necessarily migrate North-South, but do go where there is food.
there is a word for it but it escapes me. in my area, N Florida, they gather in
the north end of the county in groups of 100 or so fo rthe winter and forage in
flocks.
Phil Berry
NW Florida
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 18:46:15 EDT
From: Phl806"at"cs.com
To: jsibio"at"vom.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Bluebirds and Migrations
BTW, it's an old wive's tale that feeding birds of any type will keep them
from migrating. I hear it about hummers. "Take the feeder down, Ethel, or you
will spoil that bird. She will spend the witner here and freeze to the perch."
Can't happen, folks, give the birds some credit will you? they are not nearly
that dumb.
Phil Berry
NW Florida
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2000 19:05:21 EDT
From: MLieb20810"at"aol.com
To: BlueBird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Babies are 8 days old
Hi Everyone,
I haven't written in a while. All is well here in DE. They built their second
nest. All 5 eggs have hatched and they are 8 days old. I never invested in
another supply of mealworms from Grubco but i feed the big ones from the bait
store and have actually cut them in half and the birds feed them to the babies.
Isn't it great!
As for feeding mealworms. I feed all winter long. But to do this i just wait
for the birds to show up - which they do every night before dark and i put about
5 big worms out and they eat them and then go roost somewhere for the night. Its
obvious that they must be eating berries during the day but they are really
something to see in the snow when they land on the big plate and grab the worms.
They usually just take one at a time so that everyone
gets at least one.
Thanks,
Mike
New Castle, DE
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 14:13:45 -0400
From: "Bruce Burdett" blueburd"at"srnet.com
To: MSBOC"at"aol.com, kim.billings"at"unh.edu, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: How late in the season to feed mealworms?
Nancy, et al: - At risk of sounding like the Grinch, or that villain in
"Oliver Twist", I'll have to say that I NEVER put out mealworms unless I'm
scheming for some photography project, - setting up a photo-op. I'm convinced
that, although they do love them, they don't need them. I put out
mealworms strictly for MY benefit, not theirs. If you stop putting them out, I
doubt that they'd even notice. What do you suppose they did in the days
before Grubco?
Bruce Burdett, NH
-----Original Message-----
From: MSBOC"at"aol.com MSBOC"at"aol.com
To: kim.billings"at"unh.edu kim.billings"at"unh.edu; BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 12:23 PM
Subject: Re: How late in the season to feed mealworms?
...
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 17:02:22 EDT
From: N1hamilton"at"cs.com
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Winter feeding ideas?
Regarding bluebirds and winter - There are at least 4 that stay in my yard
through the winter and last year since no one really cared for the berries I put
out, I tried putting meal worms out - to keep them warm (the worms) I put one of
those hand warmers that skiers often use into a plastic dish and put another
plastic dish on top oft he warmer, then put the worm in there. Has anyone come
up with other ideas for winter feeding?
I'm also looking for ideas on building some sort of wind/snow screen for
winter feeding, especially when its snowing. Last year I made a kind of tent
using plywood so the birds could fly in between and stay out of the elements
while having a snack but it was always tipping over. I started thinking about
some sort of tent material that I could stake into the ground to make shelter
while they feed. It just seems like the very time that they need our assistance
the most (i.e. the worst weather conditions) I don't have any good solutions. So
they get fed well on sunny days but take the hits during the storms. Anyway, I
know its still the hot summer but I got thinking about this.
Thanks
Nicole
Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2000 22:15:46 -0500
From: "Bob Walshaw" robert.walshaw"at"gte.net
To: "Bluebird Listserve" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Nicole - Winter feeding of Bluebirds
Nicole - I don't know where you are located, but here in North Eastern
Oklahoma where we have fairly mild winters (only one or two snows and ice storms
and few days below freezing) I load up the back fence with sumac berry heads and
also the Eastern Bluebirds come to suet cakes . Bluebird Bob.
Date: Thu, 03 Aug 2000 13:42:48 -0400
From: Joyce Sobey
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Bluebirds and Suet
Hi,
Been reading the Messages about winter feeding. I have must have the weirdest
bluebirds around :-)
I keep suet out year-round and the bluebirds, even in winter, never go near it.
I have put meal worms out, right in front of the bluebirds nest and they don't
touch them! The folks at Wild Birds Unlimited couldn't believe the bluebirds
ignored the meal worms. I used the special bluebird feeder with the plexi-glass
sides and still no luck.
Stranger still, our bluebirds leave our yard in the winter and we only see them
in the spring and summer when they are nesting. I assume they have a better
and/or more natural food source they hang out at when they leave us. I live in a
rural community and while our 10 acre lot is wooded and connects with a much
larger wooded lot of 270 acres, there are lots of fields, too and since some of
them are grown up with weeds, etc. I would bet there are berries there that they
like better than our feeders. Anyway, it is always so sad and quiet when they
leave. Then again, that means the Juncos will be there soon.
Joyce Sobey.
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 13:57:56 EDT
From: Phl806"at"cs.com
To: jsobey"at"erols.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Bluebirds and Suet
Bluebirds in my area (NW Florida) gather in Fall and all move to the north of
our county, where they live as a group (flock?) for the winter. I have seen
dozens in flocks just about everywhere we go in early winter. Our winter is not
cold nor long, so they start their courting and nesting behavior by February
10th or so. I have not had good luck trying to feed them in winter. I have
assumed them to be rather resourceful.
Phil Berry
NW Florida
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 2000 12:56:34 -0500
From: Linda LaMaster
To: jsobey"at"erols.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: RE: Bluebirds and Suet
The baby BBs I have raised like meal worms just fine - - - that is - - - - until
they taste a cricket. Probably wild BBs who reject meal worms have access to
something they prefer, instead of being over cautious to fare provided by
humans. LL
From: Joyce Sobey [SMTP:jsobey"at"erols.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 03, 2000 12:43 PM
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Bluebirds and Suet
...
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2000 08:16:14 -0400
From: Susan Zovath szovath"at"iopener.net
To: BLUEBIRD-L"at"Cornell.edu
Subject: Re. Nicole- Winter feeding of Bluebirds
There is a recipe for BLUEBIRD BLEND which contains suet at
www.birdwatchersdigest.com/recipe_bluebird.html There are other birdfood
recipes as well.
Susan Zovath
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 18:12:46 -0400
From: Haleya Priest/Thom Levy hpandtl"at"crocker.com
To: SAMBOY4340"at"aol.com
Cc: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: feeding mealworms after fledging
Dear Sandy, et al:
About mealies this time of the year. This is when we start finding out who is
going to be lucky enough to have our blues winter over near our houses, and
which blues are going to go off to their winter feeding grounds.
If this were just after your first nesting (or 2nd if you normally get 3
nestings), you'd probably have your blues continue to come to your mealie
feeder.
In my experience personally and what I've observed from others on the list,
after the last nesting, the blues tend to begin to move on - sometimes returning
a few weeks later - but often once they've fledged their last babies and they
aren't going to stay around, they'll begin to disappear for the winter.
It is a big disappointment to say goodbye to your blues for the winter, but
remember to wish them well and luck on their winter journey as they know what is
best for their needs., and know that by expanding their territories they are
taking care of themselves by leaving the area.
I'd keep the mealies out for a while longer. THEN you can end putting mealies
out, and if you are very lucky to have them return within a few weeks, simply
put the mealies out for them again. They won't forget you and WILL come knocking
on your door sooner or later. I am one of the lucky ones having my blues stay
through the winter and looking like they will this year too. It is a lot of fun
having them all winter, but ir really does take a lot of committed work to keep
them supplied with food all winter. H :-)
SAMBOY4340"at"aol.com wrote:
My 4 babies fledged last week, and their parents have them moved to a
...
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 20:57:20 -0500
From: Nolan/Hunter Family dnolan"at"direclynx.net
To: SAMBOY4340"at"aol.com
Cc: BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: feeding mealworms after fledging
Merilyn Hunter
Hot Springs, Arkansas
I don't really know what the usual pattern is where you live, but here, the
parents don't take fledglings that are only a week out of the nest very far
away. I would suspect that they are still around somewhere nearby. Maybe there
is a more tempting food source available. I've seen "mine" pass up mealworms for
days in a row when big white grubs show up - but then they're back to the
mealworms again. The other thing that I consistently do, even if the Eastern
Bluebirds are perched in the tree waiting for delivery of a bowl of mealworms,
is give an audible signal at the same time. What works best for me is to tap the
bowl (corning ware) and it has sort of a bell-like sound. The birds become
conditioned to the sound. In seasons when they are not right in the backyard
nesting, I can tap the bowl, they hear it from a distance and come flying in. If
you haven't been doing this it might be too late in the season to start now, but
it's something to consider for next year. Good luck.
SAMBOY4340"at"aol.com wrote:
My 4 babies fledged last week, and their parents have them moved to a
...
Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2000 17:08:25 -0400
From: Haleya Priest/Thom Levy hpandtl"at"crocker.com
To: BLUEBIRD BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: winter feeding
Haleya Priest, Amherst MA
A suggestion for those new to feeding overwintering bluebirds mealworms: You
might want to consider making some Bluebird Banquet suet mix - a special recipe
by Linda Janilla -and placing it in your feeders now to get the blues used to
the suet mix. It will save you lots of money and time as you can keep the feeder
stocked with suet mix and gives the blues a variety.
Apparently some blues LOVE the suet mix and others refuse it all together,
and then there are those who will eat both. Mine eat both during the winter -
but I will have to start training them now to eat it otherwise I'll have one
batch of very spoiled bluebirds on my hands since they've been downing almost
100% mealworms all summer (aside of their normal and natural diet of bugs which
they adore even beyond mealworms.)
THIS IS NOT encouragement to feed your blues all winter. Nor is there any
necessity in doing so. There is much controversy over this matter of whether to
feed and I am simply reaching out to those who have already decided to feed
their blues.
I hate to sound redundant but you can find the Bluebird Banquet recipe on
your trusty Bluebird-L REF GUIDE "at" http://bluebird.htmlplanet.com
H
Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2000 17:57:21 EDT
From: Sss2gemini"at"aol.com
To: hpandtl"at"crocker.com, BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: winter feeding
Haleya,
Thanks for the tip on starting to get the bluebirds used to the seut mix now
I will start making it this next week then to see how my bluebirds take to it.
They are still coming regularly to my feeder to eat mealworms. They are
beginning their molt here and the juveniles are now beginning to get their rusty
coloring in their breasts. I am too new to bluebirding to know yet how many male
and female juveniles I have. So I am waiting patiently for their molt to be done
.
Just want to say that I am so glad that you are on this list and continue to
help us with your bluebird knowledge and experience. And I want to thank you for
being there in the emergency times when I and others have needed answers
quickly!
Sherry Hunter,
Byron Center, MI
Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2000 19:34:31 -0400
From: t_k_bennett"at"juno.com
To: Bluebird-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Bluebird Family Flocks and Feeding Behavior (Stokes)
From Donald and Lillian Stokes Book : The Bluebird Book
Submitted By: Kathy Bennet
Central N.Y.
Family Flocks:
In late summer, when breeding is over, a pair of bluebirds with various young
from broods of that year may form a small flock and wander about together as
they feed. Sometimes these groups explore boxes, perching on top and entering.
In fall this family may join with other bluebird families and form an even
larger flock
50-100 birds for mountain bluebirds. In the past, fall flocks of the eastern
bluebird could be as large as 100 birds, but now it is more typical to see
flocks from 5-20 birds. In northern ares these flocks start migrating in October
and November. In other areas, family units and the larger flocks may stay
together all winter and during cold weather may even roost together. In some
winter roost boxes, monitors have discovered eastern bluebirds that are siblings
and sometimes these are joined by one of the parents.
In spring the flocks break up and the birds return to nesting ares or stay in
new nesting areas that they may have encountered in their winter wanderings.
Feeding Behavior:
Once bluebirds are finished breeding, they are no longer tied to their
breeding site and wander freely in search of areas with plentiful food.
Grasshoppers, crickets, and spiders, all of which are abundant in fall, remain
the bird's food of choice until they are no longer available because of cold and
snow. Even as it gets cold and snows star to cover the ground, the birds may
seek out any exposed ground or south-facing slope where the ground temperature
is warmer and more insects may be active.
When ground temperatures go below freezing and arthropods become less active,
bluebirds switch to eating berries almost exclusively. The berries are swallowed
whole and, because bluebirds cannot easily crack seeds in their bill or digest
them, the seeds are regurgitated or voided in their feces.
One study of the winter food habits of eastern bluebirds in Tennessee showed
that sumac berries made up 85-90% of what they ate. But it also showed that ,
compared with other fruits the birds ate, such as the berries of possum haw,
flowering dogwood, Japanese honeysuckle, and bittersweet, sumac berries had the
lowest caloric content of them all. The bluebirds had to eat up to ten times as
many sumac berries to get the same energy they would get from eating fruits from
the other plants. Why were the bluebirds choosing sumac?
One possible reason is that mocking birds in the area were defending winter
territories containing the higher calorie fruits and keeping bluebirds off. This
suggests that sumacs were not necessarily bluebirds favorite fruit, not the best
one for them, but were simply the one most readily available that no other birds
were eating.
Another problem for wintering bluebirds is that hordes of starlings that roam
the countryside looking for berries to eat. A large flock of starlings can
descend on a flowering dogwood tree and eat all of its fruit within several
minutes. Because of this, certain shrubs and trees are no longer dependable
sources of winter food for bluebirds. This is another example of how the
introduction of the starling had adversely affected bluebirds.
One of the biggest threats to bluebirds in winter is freezing rains ot heavy
snows that coat all berries in a thick layer of ice. This made it almost
impossible for them to feed, and some birds in colder areas may have trouble
surviving. In these cases, bluebirds may come to feeders and accept suet, suet
mixtures, raisons, currants, dried fruits, and wild berries laid out for them.
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 21:24:02 EST
From: I2LuvBirds"at"aol.com
To: bluebird-l"at"cornell.edu, blueburd"at"smet.com
Subject: Eastern Bluebird change of feeding habit
We have had the pleasure of 6 EAstern BLuebirds all winter, feeding them
mealworms and a peanut butter mix outside the kitchen window for real close-up
view.
The last couple of days, however, they have been eating from the peanut
feeder, the regular suet feeder, attempting the upside-down suet feeder, and
millet from the ground feeder.
In the 6 years we have had our trail, this is the first time we have ever
seen this. We took some pictures and hope they turn out, so if anyone is
interested in pictures, e-mail me privately and I will be glad to send.
Edie Lotz
Milford, Ohio
(NW Clermont County)
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 19:02:36 -0500
From: "Bruce Johnson" bjohnso3"at"midsouth.rr.com
To: "Bluebird Ref." BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Feeding the Bluebirds
Hello All -
Last week we had some posts about how the blues fare during big snows, Ect.
When we had the snow and bitter cold last winter, my blues had been gone for
some time. They showed up, parents and young ones. None of them had any
reservations about eating right out of my hand, something the little ones had
never done.
I would let them eat a few that way and then put the worms on an open
platform and let them eat their fill. They would leave and return late in the
afternoon for dinner.
In my mind there was only one reason, they were starving. When the weather
moderated they were gone again. My guess is that we lose many more blues during
bad weather that we now believe.
I'm glad they remembered where they could get food when theirs was not
available.
What am I getting at, I don't really know. I just wanted to share that with
you for whatever it's worth.
Best regards,
Bruce Johnson ~ Life Mbr. NABS
2795 Long Oak Drive
Germantown (extreme southwestern) TN
901-755-6842
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 20:03:29 -0500
From: "starsky" sitar"at"hsonline.net
To: "BLUEBIRd" BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Feeding the Bluebirds, my experience
Hello all,
Last year I fed the EABL (Eastern bluebirds) from mid-April through the first
week in November. I stopped feeding mealies in November after I contacted the
Indiana Bluebird society. They told me, in order to assure that the EABL
migrated for the winter I needed to stop feeding them mealies. They recommended
providing raisins, suet blends etc for the small % of EABL that wintered over. I
did what they recommended and I'm not sure if it worked out so well. The EABL
snubbed the alternative food. The tufted titmouse, chickadees, woodpeckers and
even Carolina wrens were all over the alternative stuff. It was a tough winter
in Indiana as well as many parts of North America.
I had two mealworm feeders. That first week in November there were
consistantly 12 EABL (I believe an adult pair and 10 fledglings) at 1 feeder and
6 EABL (adult pair and 4 fledglings).
On January 1st, on another cold day with the ground snow covered, I saw an
EABL scratching the snow with a dozen other birds at a seed feederI could't take
it anymore. I pulled out the mealies again. I know that it's too late to make a
long story short; what remained was 5 EABL at one feeder and 2 at the other. A
male and female at the box with 5 tolerated the other 3 until the end of
February and then pushed them off. The male pushed of the other male and the
female eventually pushed away the other two females.
What's my point Bruce?, well I'm not sure either. Did the 11 missing EABL
migrate or succumb to a tough winter. Was it a combination of both, probably but
we'll never know. I do know that I have seen many posts about "late EABL" this
year. Even though the EABL readily uses man made houses, I think much of the
selection process for a nesting sites is 'supply and demand' of natural sites.
One thing that I will try to do this year is try to diversify the diet's of the
EABL around here.
Bob Sitarski
south/central Indiana
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Johnson" bjohnso3"at"midsouth.rr.com
To: "Bluebird Ref." BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 7:02 PM
Subject: Feeding the Bluebirds
Hello All -
Last week we had some posts about how ...
Date: Thu, 05 Apr 2001 09:39:07 -0400
From: Haleya Priest mablue"at"gis.net
To: starsky sitar"at"hsonline.net
Cc: BLUEBIRd BLUEBIRD-L"at"cornell.edu
Subject: Re: Feeding the Bluebirds, my experience
Haleya Priest Amherst MA
Hi Bob, there is much controversy about whether to feed BB in the winter or
not. I always quote Dorene Scriven (author of Bluebird Trails), who says that
leaving any food out for the BB will not stop them from migrating. She says it
might stall their migration by a few days, but no more than that.
I feed my blues all winter and feel very comfortable with it. I give them
mealies everyday and also give them bluebird banquet. However, if I could get my
blues to eat only raisins (organic) , I might opt for that since it truly does
match a more "natural diet".
If I were to do that, I'd want to get them used to them during the nesting
season when they are near by the feeder and possibly more amenable to change
since they are feeding their babies.
I really don't think there is any research yet done that can say whether
feeding the blues keeps them from migrating OR makes them stay behind. Perhaps
it would be up to Burdett to carry on this research. He has no blues
overwintering in NH and what if he kept food out for them. Would they stay?? I
know it is impossible for him personally to do that what with his trail being
far from his home, but perhaps there is someone else up far north that could try
this experiment.
One thing is for certain, I wouldn't worry about the other blues of your band
that left. BBs are tough and smart and I am positive survived the winter.
Remember that they are built to withstand the winter which is why they are
neo-tropical. They don't NEED to have us feed them, it truly is for our pleasure
only!! :-) H
starsky wrote:
Hello all,
Last year I fed the EABL (Eastern bluebirds) from mid-April through the
first week in November. I stopped feeding mealies in November after I
contacted the Indiana Bluebird society. ...
Date: Thu, 5 Apr 2001 10:38:07 -0400
From: "Elizabeth Nichols" birdlady"at"netstorm.net
To: Bluebird-L"at"Cornell.edu
Subject: Feeding the Bluebirds
Hi All:
After reading several postings recently re: feeding the Blues, please
consider a few facts gleaned from 15+ yrs. of spoiling the little rascals.
Winter & early Spring feeding has great benefits: It does not deter migration --
it keeps the Bluebirds in better physical condition and tend to nest earlier (In
central Md. I have 5 warm Bluebird eggs under incubation). The amount of
Bluebirds remaining near trail feeders varies daily which indicates they
fluctuate from living near feeders to retreating to nearby forest. An
interesting fact is that as soon as insects became available, there were mealies
left in feeder from previous day which indicated either sufficient insect supply
and/or some of group were being chased off by nestbox owner nearby.
One more interesting fact is that early Spring feeding prevented loss of
nestlings on 12 box trail the last two yrs. We can also watch path of parent to
trees feeding fledglings later in nesting season. It is a win-win situation for
all!!!
Betty Nichols, Middletown, MD
