Brad

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  • in reply to: BBF1 Mealworm Feeder Question #5943
    Brad
    Participant

      Brad, just curious – what photo sharing site are you using to post here – Photobucket is not let us post “3rd party” any more without paying a huge fee. That is what I use and a lot of others here.

      I use imgur. But in this case I just copied the photo URL from Amazon.

      So has no one used a dome feeder? The reviews are pretty good on Amazon for people with blues. Just lower the height of the dome to keep out any bigger birds.

      I wonder if I will have problems with HOSP wanting the mealworms. Do they eat them?

      in reply to: BBF1 Mealworm Feeder Question #5932
      Brad
      Participant

        Carol, the dome lowers as much as you want to keep bigger birds out. Maybe it doesn’t work well, that’s why I was asking if anyone has used a similar one.

        Susan, that’s a great price. I tried the same code and it only gave me $53. Ha! I might try that though if I decide to get it. Thanks a lot for the heads up!

        in reply to: BBF1 Mealworm Feeder Question #5925
        Brad
        Participant

          Does anyone have experience with dome feeders like this?

          They are much cheaper and well reviewed. You can find it on amazon:
          Aspects Vista Dome Feeder

          I have mockingbirds, HOSP, and robbins around who like the mealworms I’ve put out. Not sure who has been eating them out of the dish along with the blues, but I have seen the robbins for certain.

          Is there any good reason not to get a dome feeder like that?

          in reply to: Haven't seen Male since eggs were laid #5919
          Brad
          Participant

            My male is pretty absent during incubation. He shows back up for feeding after they hatch. I would guess all is well.

            in reply to: Behavior Questions #5881
            Brad
            Participant

              It’s been interesting of late.

              I left town for 4 days when the babies were 6 days old and I took the wren guard off right before I left. The group went from 4 hatchlings to 3 after a couple days and it appeared like the mom had removed one from the nest and eventually did something with it.

              When I returned only 2 of the 3 babies remained. I have no idea what happened with the other. Sparrow spooker and baffle still on. No sign of any kind of predator. Unfortunate, but such is life. I wish I knew if I did anything wrong or if it was just nature.

              I thought only 1 bird of my first round survived, as I’d only seen one hanging out with the male in my area. Immature parents or predators…who knows. 2 days ago I saw a blue in my backyard, which is rare. I started watching and quickly realized there were 5 hanging out hunting food on the ground and playing about. One was definitely the dad and there was another male. I could tell several were young. I’m not sure if the mom was there or not, but if she was it means 3 have survived and if not then all 4 are still with us. That was quite welcome.

              The remaining 2 seemed to grow much quicker than the last round, probably because they only had to feed half as many. They fledged today and are now gone.

              I’m strongly considering buying the mealworm feeder from this site to put in the backyard in hopes I can see them back there more often. I don’t get to see the box unless I’m coming or going from the house.

              I assume this is it for the year here in NC. I didn’t expect any babies this year. I would guess nesting areas are lacking here, considering they took to my box day 1 after I moved it to the front yard. I’m just glad to help 6 babies leave the box successfully. I’ve also disposed of 3 HOSP, which isn’t fun but I know is the right thing to do.

              Thanks to everyone for all the help.

              in reply to: Behavior Questions #5721
              Brad
              Participant

                I checked today and there are only 3 babies. Is it common for the parents to remove one if something was wrong with it? There’s no reason to believe there’s been any predation.

                On the positive side, the male seems to have figured out the Wren Guard this time around and is helping feeding. The babies seem bigger at this stage than last time around, although it could just be perception.

                • This reply was modified 7 years, 9 months ago by Brad.
                in reply to: Behavior Questions #5614
                Brad
                Participant

                  I had 2 eggs hatch yesterday and the remaining 2 today.

                  One of the babies is not down in the nest cup, but is up on the top of the nest in a corner where the door opens. I can only assume the mother put it there. Should I move it back to the nest cup or just let it be and mom to take care of it as she wishes?

                  in reply to: Repeating Sparrow Trap Questions #5613
                  Brad
                  Participant

                    Sorry, I’m new to HOSP trapping too and don’t have any answers for you, only questions. Do you have other feeders out? I’m trying to figure out what will interest my HOSP in the trap.

                    I have heard people say placing it 2-3 feet off the ground helps, so it might be worth trying.

                    I had a lot of activity the first 2 days but squirrels eat the outside bread and no birds have shown interest in the bread inside my trap.

                    in reply to: Sparrow Trapping #5487
                    Brad
                    Participant

                      I saw my first Carolina Wren today. Unfortunately, it was in my trap and I let him go. Poor thing.

                      in reply to: All time low #5480
                      Brad
                      Participant

                        I’ve learned in another part of my life that I must learn to accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change the things I can, and seek the wisdom to know the difference.

                        My role in helping bluebirds is to provide a nesting cavity and do my best to safeguard it from predators. Beyond that nature will run its course and I have to accept that.

                        I have no control over what happens to the birds after the leave my box (and to a fair extent while they are in it) and I just have to accept that I’m doing my best to help them and what will come after that is just part of nature.

                        Life is full of ups and downs but I just have to look at the big picture as much as possible.

                        in reply to: Sparrow Trapping #5443
                        Brad
                        Participant

                          Thanks Cari. I will try that again with my next one. I haven’t had a tragedy yet (this is my first year) but understand the problem and would like to help the native birds. The HOSP are certainly around and rearing their young. I don’t know how many are around but I see them more often than anything else.

                          in reply to: Sparrow Trapping #5439
                          Brad
                          Participant

                            Thanks. There’s one less house sparrow now, although I can’t say I felt good doing it. I found a way to do it in the trap.

                            in reply to: 1 fledgling left in the box #5189
                            Brad
                            Participant

                              I had 4 fledglings and 2 fledged on the first day and 2 the following. The resources say up to 72 hours between first and last can be normal. Did the little guy fly today?

                              in reply to: Bluebirds building a 2nd nest! #5152
                              Brad
                              Participant

                                Have bluebirds ever been known to have 4 broods?

                                in reply to: Pictures. . .Finally #5107
                                Brad
                                Participant

                                  Great pics! Glad you got it figured out.

                                Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 58 total)