Hi, Dibby, and welcome to this great forum! It is normal for the new fledglings to beg for food from their parents for 2 or 3 weeks. If you are feeding mealworms, they should start eating on their own after that time. Now, according to my Field Guide book on “Birds of North America” I don’t believe bluebirds will stay in your area through the winter – just too cold. Looks like robins are on the border for resident birds there. Since I live in the Midwest I’m not that familiar with your area. Cher, our forum Administrator, lives in New York I believe & would be more knowledgeable about this. But I do believe your new blues would stay a little longer in your area- give them some time & keep feeding your worms (in moderation of course) & I bet those new ones will eat on their own very soon. Congratulations on this successful nesting. Planting those bushes is great – hopefully there will be something there to eat the berries in the winter.
P.S. The website http://www.sialis.org is our bible here for information on bluebirds & other cavity nesters. I have been watching my parents feed 4 new babies this morning – nothing quite like watching nature.
