[tamsea]

You can more or less train them in any way you want. I just whistle. They used to jnoknow my

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by tamsea.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Sorry if I repeat anything that was already said. I just skimmed everyone’s posts.
Yes, remove nests after it’s used. It’s best for the bluebirds. Gets rid of any critters living inside and also keeps the nest low in the box. And the bluebirds seem to prefer to make a new nest at least at my house. No need to supply nesting material. Although sometimes purple Martin landlords sprinkle pinestraw on the ground in case they want to use it. (White soft pine needles)
Like Carol said, put the mealworms in a white or clear glass or smooth plastic small container. Not a large bowl. Something with shorter sides. A glass pie plate might work.put it where they can look down on it. Put it close to where they perch. Use live ones at first so they can see them moving around. It takes a while. You have to be consistent and patient. Then once they find them…move them gradually wherever you want to feed them. Mine is near my back door. After they get hooked you can try the rehydrated ones.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by tamsea.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Darn….was late on this conversation.

Tammy

[tamsea]

I agree. They will take anything. Give them time. Here in about February the HOSP start searching for boxes, even though it’s too cold for nests. Once that starts happening you’ll see them visiting your boxes. Obviously don’t put your inbox trap in until you see one going in and out of the box.

Tammy

[tamsea]

I had a pine warbler too this year!! I had to get on a facebook group and Kenn Kaufman confirmed it for me. I haven’t seen it since Feb. It was eating my suet too. Congrats!! Fun to see new birds.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Thanks, Dana. Actually I haven’t seen them since my husband told me they came around. :( If you are feeding suet or dried mealworms successfully I’d just stick with that. Mealworms get pricey and are just a bother sometimes.

Carol, Merry Christams to you too. It’s been very cold here for the past few days. But that’s expected here.

Tammy

[tamsea]

I keep mine in my regular fridge too. They are on the bottom or sometimes second to the bottom shelf in the back. :)

Tammy

[tamsea]

I would have trapped them too. You might have problems with those house sparrows in the spring. Buy a Van Ert trap and anytime a HOSP starts a nest in a box….trap it. That’s my opinion.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by tamsea.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Latigo! Hi! The forum is really really slow since we’ve moved. I keep hoping people find it again….maybe this coming nesting season it will happen. So glad to hear from you.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Interesting….and the house sparrows can still get to it?

Tammy

[tamsea]

I love seeing my bluebirds in the winter. Unfortunately I’ve been out of town for awhile so by the time I get back home they probably won’t be used to coming around any more. The past two years they’ve only been here occasionally during the winter. Before that they were regulars.im thinking someone else is feeding them in the winter months now too.

Tammy

[tamsea]

I use lard from Walmart too. I used real suet once and the birds loved it. But it was kind of pricey and a lot of work!!

Tammy

[tamsea]

Several of us have spexperinced this at some time. I hope it loos s interest soon!

Tammy

[tamsea]

Congrats! It’s a never ending process.

Tammy

[tamsea]

Gin, is here a reason a Carolina wrens would prefer that box that Fred built you over a regular bluebird type slot box? I have one visiting occasionally but never nesting.

Tammy

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