For the folks that like Bluebirds.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

Although the bluebird chicks fledged over the weekend the female continues to use the mealworm feeder. We have not seen any bluebird chicks at the feeder yet, but mom may be taking the mealworms to them. She's been cleaning up most of the mealworms we put out on a daily basis. We have a motion-activated DSLR camera close to the feeder to monitor what's feeding on the mealworms. Attached are a few photos.

Here's some tips we have learned from comments posted to us, what we've read on the Internet, and our own experimentation on what worked. It took mom almost a week after putting the feeder up before she started using it on a regular basis. At first we used live mealworms, but found if you a tuna can with drainage holes it fried the live mealworms in the heat. The new feeder solved that.

Also, when using live mealworms we found that adding raw potatoes or carrots for the mealworms to feed on helped keep them alive in the feeder for days. We switched to dried mealworms, which you can buy at your local Tractor Supply Co. that are very inexpensive. If you soak the dried mealworms in warm water before putting them out that seems to work better.
We highly recommend trying a mealworm feeder in your backyard to attract bluebirds.

https://www.facebook.com/PixController/

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. We have good quality seed mix and peanut suet cakes and the bluebirds are on the feeder all day

we've seen the males, females, and lots of the kids as well. Real family affair

Gorgeous birds.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

2. The Momma Bluebird.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. Nice! Our biggest surprise - a red headed woodpecker (perhaps a pair) found our feeder

and shows up throughout the day. We typically only see them kayaking. Such a beautiful bird! We learned its odd grinding sound, so know when it is around. It and the red bellied seem to chase each other off of the feeder.

[moonscape]

4. Thank you so much for the link you posted some time

ago. I started observing the nest before the eggs hatched, but after the male disappeared.

Very glad to get an update on the meal worm feeder, that mom is using it.

[area51]

5. Because you mentioned bluebirds,

I feel I have to post this.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

6. Bluebirds singing a song.