Blues now eating suet – know winter is near!

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Well, I am completely out of mealworms (after feeding 30,000 this past summer) so I put out my peanut butter suet about 2 days ago. They “turned up their noses” at it at first, but our weather turned off cool and this morning we actually had a frost, so they were gobbling it up. Sure is funny to watch this scenario – they go to the bowl, see no worms there, and keep looking around – go up into the trees for a minute or two and then come back down and decide no more worms so begin eating up the suet – really funny!

[Sassy]

Wow Carol, that is a lot of mealworms. I can see why those BB’s are spoiled. I was just thinking yesterday I ought to try some suet. I remember reading about it here in a couple posts and I believe the recipe is on http://www.sialis.com. so I will have to check that out. Have fun watching those beauties.
Connie (PA)

[Sassy]

Hi All:
I know I have that url wrong, it is supposed to be http://www.sialis.org
Sorry if I messed anyone up.
Connie (PA)

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Connie, yes this is where I got my recipe – it is Cher’s (our forum administrator) recipe which I have used for years. ONLY problem is – every other bird in the area loves it also, so I just usually wait until my blues come after I whistle for them and them put out just enough for them. I will have a BOSS feeder out later on for the cardinals, juncos, etc. I feed suet in the wintertime to give my pocketbook a break and it is actually good for them, also. I forgot all the stats, but I know the peanut butter is the protein, lard helps them keep warm, little tad of sugar for energy, etc. We also have bushes which produce berries here in Missouri in the winter which they eat, although I don’t have too many. I did plant a serviceberry tree last year which they are supposed to like. Try the suet – they will love it once they get used to it, just like the worms! (It is too messy to feed in the summer, with the lard in it and all)

[Sassy]

Carol I intend to get the supplies when I shop this coming week. Can’t hurt to try but unlike you my BB’s do not come to my whistle, not even sure I will see any once I do this. I have seen them lately, they check out all the bird houses, then move on, so I just thought if I had some suet out they might just decide to stay. If they don’t care for it then I guess the other birds will feast for a while. Thanks for the info.
Connie (PA)

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Connie, just curious – do your blues usually overwinter there in PA? I would think it might be too cold there but didn’t know. Mine do stay all winter here in mid-Missouri and have for 9 seasons now.

[Sassy]

To be honest with you Carol, I am not sure if the BB’s stay here for the winter or not. I figured if they stay in NH, they might stay here too. Maybe I am wrong, I just started the BB love affair, with putting up a BB box two years ago, so I am new at all this. I would love if they stayed but I sort of figured if they don’t all the other birds will enjoy my efforts and if it helps them to survive the winter and give me the joy of watching them that would be great, but having the Blues would be the icing on the cake. Time will tell. I will let you know if I am successful.
Connie (PA)

[Lisa]

This is my very first year having the blues overwinter in sunny south Alabama. They are totally rejecting the suet so I am a big sucker and ordered more mealworms. Lol.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Lisa, they will get used to the suet – it just takes a little time. Since this is your 1st year for them overwintering, might be good to let them have what they want so they will stay again next year. It only takes my blues about a day or so but then they dive right in. Right now my winter birds (juncos and white-crowned sparrows) are back and the blues chase them away from THEIR feeder – but with only about 6 blues and dozens of the other winter birds, they can’t keep them away altogether.

[Sassy]

Carol, I made my crumble and put it as a solid ball out in a dish yesterday, but nothing at all seems interested, even though the titmouse, chickadees, cardinals and nuthatches are going back and forth. I saw 7 BB’s yesterday on my walk, so they are hanging around here yet. Granted it has been warm in the 70’s today with rain. So maybe they do stay all year round.
Connie (PA)

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Connie, don’t know if this will make a difference, but I leave my suet in crumbles, about small pea size. If the ball is too solid (hard) it may be hard for them to get to it, but the crumbles they can gobble up in a few minutes. Good luck.
P.S. yes, a lot of birds like the suet, so I am like a watchdog trying to shoo off the juncos and white-crowned sparrows until my blues get to it. I don’t mind feeding those winter birds, but of course, the HOSP will be there also.

[Lisa]

Thanks Carol! I did give in since this this first year in over 10 that they have hung around. Totally turn their noses up at suet. I broke down and ordered more mealworms…I’m in very south Alabama so maybe they are spoiled by bugs? They are mowing the golf course today so not even interested in the mealworms…

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