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Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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Posted by debinontario (My Page) on Mon, Apr 6, 09 at 10:52
| Here, just north of Toronto we have been blessed with several bluebird families making their home at our farm over the past several years. So far this year we've only had a few decently warm days but on March 20th we spotted a male BB 'house hunting' at his usual box. By April 2nd, the female had joined him. WELL, much to our horror we awakened this morning to 6 inches of SNOW, freezing sleet and high winds....DISGUSTING! But more importantly, there are no bugs/larvae around for the poor BBs! We presume the BBs are hiding someplace (haven't seen them) but are thinking of getting some mealworms, crickets or whatever from the pet store to provide nourishment in case they do reappear in the next short while. Is this a good idea or a crazy, unnecessary one? If so, where would we put them - inside the nesting boxes? On an open feeder once the blizzard is over? Will the BBs even eat the 'freeze-dried' mealworms that are sold at the pet stores? Not sure what to do but I'm quite sure that the poor BBs didn't bank on THIS weather!!! We'd appreciate any suggestions or advice. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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| Hi...Your blues will probably return to begin nestbuilding when the weather permits. In the meantime, you can order live mealworms. Several on the forum use NY Mealworms. My blues are currently eating the dried mealworms, but they do prefer the live ones. DO NOT place them in the nestbox. When I began feeding mealworms, I placed them in a dish close to where I would see them perch. Soon enough, other birds discovered them as well. I ordered a mealworm feeder which is a round jailhouse style. It still allows the smaller birds in, but keeps out the bullies. The cup is in the middle. Try using a shallow dish first and even if your blues are MIA for awhile, place it where you have seem them. Hope this helps and good luck! Donna |
RE: Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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| Thanks Donna, I checked with NY Mealworms and they won't ship to Canada. :-( However, I am investigating some other sources of live ones and am willing to start my own colony.... although that won't help for immediate use.
Just out of interest, why is putting them in the nest box such a BAD idea? I'm not questioning your advice -- just trying to learn more about this whole BB business. :-) Thanks again for your help. I'll post again to let you know if they've returned safe and sound. I don't blame them for being MIA... I would be too if I had a choice!!! |
RE: Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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| Don't sweat it too much. Those blues will be fine, they will eat fruit and berries on whatever tree or bush they can find them on. I live in Michigan and we had blue birds in our area all winter. There were certainly no bugs to eat, but they did just fine. |
RE: Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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| I heave heard that people put mealworms in a dish on the nestbox, but this is just in an emergency and just to get them used to being provided mealworms... them you can move them to a deck railing or something else. I, too, bought the jailhouse style round feeder because I had issues with starlings... you can read up on mealworm feeding at www.sialis.org |
RE: Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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| How did they come through the blizzard? tara |
RE: Bluebirds in Blizzard? Need Help.
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| Well, the blizzard ended by Wednesday but we have a LOT of snow on the ground. Yesterday I spotted the pair of BBs scouting around their usual box. I put a shallow pan of mealworms out, sprinkled some worms on the snow and it only took them about 10 minutes to find them and 'chow down'. (I located the mealworms at a reptile supply store....Ewwwww!) The BBs seem to be healthy and none the worse for wear despite the severe snowstorm. Their 'house hunting' is continuing normally. Thank you all for your suggestions and moral support. I'm SO glad this story has a happy ending! |
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