After reading these postings, I feel compelled to add a few comments. First,
thanks so much for providing the alternative food source for bluebirds. In all
likelihood, you have saved their lives. As we know, bluebirds are primarily
insectivores, but they will eat some wild berries/fruits, and, in the desperate
days of Jan.-Feb.-March, sumac seeds. Consequently, the recent ice event in
western KY/TN, followed by snows and below freezing temps for more than a week,
have undoubtedly caused some bluebird deaths across parts of KY. (Two days
ago, I received a call from a guy who found 17 dead bluebirds close to some
bluebird nest boxes on his property. He lives in Russell County, KY.) Judy
and I will not be monitoring our 230 nest boxes on public lands until late
March, but we are fearing the worst---but hoping for the best.
For several years, we have been feeding the bluebirds around our house a
concoction that we call bluebird "crumbles". We got the recipe from the good
folks at the Missouri Bluebird Society. The concoction consists of corn meal,
oats, flour, peanut butter, chopped peanuts, and lard. I also add Zante
currants. Bluebirds do not typically recognize it as a food source, but if
it's available, sometimes a brave bluebird will try it and "teach" the others
that it's edible, particularly during difficult times. Of course, other birds
will eat it, too, so it can be a lifesaver for many species. (To avoid the
marauding/pillaging starlings/blackbirds/cowbirds, I put the "crumbles" in a
special feeder that excludes them.)
If anyone is interested in having a free electronic copy of the "crumbles"
recipe, please send a message to mtman1@xxxxxxxxx.
Thanks again for your efforts to protect the harbingers of spring...we really
need them during these difficult times.
Cordially,Bob PeakTrigg County, KY
On Monday, February 22, 2021, 12:11:48 PM CST, Tommy Becker
<dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Forgot to add product photo... oops, please forgive attached pic...
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kentucky_ornithological_society/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/iasphotos/
-----Original Message-----
From: Tommy Becker <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: kytysons9152@xxxxxxxxx <kytysons9152@xxxxxxxxx>; birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Feb 22, 2021 12:54 pm
Subject: [birdky] Secret Family Recipe
Steve-
While loathe to reveal such a well kept 'FAMILY SECRET'; Tractor Supply, box of
10 suet cakes for ~$8.49.
We have been using for years but never had Bluebirds active at feeders. I
suspect the large concentration and activity of other birds at feeders, along
with prolonged low temperatures, coupled with ice and snow, spawned curiosity
and the bulb lit up, they made it work for them (whew, out of breath, too long
a sentence).A few turned up this morning to continue, perhaps, a new staple in
their diet...
Tom
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kentucky_ornithological_society/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/iasphotos/
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen Tyson <kytysons9152@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Tommy Becker <cbirding@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Mon, Feb 22, 2021 9:00 am
Subject: Re: [birdky] Schochoh, Logan Co., weekend list
Tommy, I am intrigued that your bluebirds were visiting suet! I have been
frustrated because I’d thought there’s nothing that we could feed them. But, if
your suet recipe appeals to them I would be interested in what that is. It it
some special recipe?
slt
On Feb 21, 2021, at 6:56 PM, Tommy Becker <cbirding@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Steve-We too were concerned about the Bluebirds. However, for the first time
in the 28 years of living mostly in thewoods, we had 8 Bluebirds that would
take over the hopper feeder for brief periods and hang from two suet cages and
also pick remnants off the snow. They seem to be doing OK.
Tom and Colleen Becker
http://www.flickr.com/groups/kentucky_ornithological_society/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/iasphotos/
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve & Debby Tyson <kytysons9152@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Birdky <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sun, Feb 21, 2021 6:36 pm
Subject: [birdky] Schochoh, Logan Co., weekend list
#yiv4814487944 -- filtered {}#yiv4814487944 filtered {}#yiv4814487944
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div.yiv4814487944WordSection1 {}#yiv4814487944 We counted 52 species this
weekend, which is (by far) our best ever for a February weekend (44 was our
previous Feb. high). The snowy and cold weather, during the week, brought
birds in droves to the feeders. Yesterday, it was above freezing for the first
time in nine days, but there was still enough snow and ice around to bring in
the birds for a good weekend list. Sparrows…we counted our first-of-year
Juncos, Fox, and American Tree Sparrow, earlier in the week, and they stayed
for the weekend. This morning, a single Chipping Sparrow joined them to give
us a 10 Sparrow weekend.Rickey Shive visited for a while, yesterday afternoon,
and his sharp eyes picked out a first-of-year Golden-crowned Kinglet (that I
certainly would have missed). There were Rusty Blackbirds around the feeders
and yard all week, four of them on Friday. By Saturday there was only one, and
today the snow was clear enough for them to be gone.Today’s Sandhills were
certainly a highlight.Our large Holly bushes produce a nice crop of berries,
most years, and most years the Mockingbirds make such a nuisance of themselves
that other birds avoid the hassle. So, most of the fruit goes to waste. This
years crop was especially heavy—I’d guess ate least 40 pounds per bush. A
flock of 80-100 Robins discovered them, late in the week and, by this evening,
both bushes are bare! I’m little worried about our local Bluebirds because of
the recent icing followed by extended freezing weather. I missed them last
weekend and only saw one this weekend. The Owl continues to stare back at me,
43 days after I first saw her in the nest cavity. I’m hoping to see babies
soon. Stephen Tyson, Schochoh, Logan Co.Species Name:Canada Goose Rock
Pigeon (Feral Pigeon) Eurasian Collared-Dove Mourning Dove Sandhill Crane
Killdeer Black Vulture Turkey Vulture Northern Harrier Red-tailed Hawk
Great Horned Owl Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-bellied Woodpecker Downy
Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker Northern Flicker American Kestrel Blue Jay
American Crow Carolina Chickadee Tufted Titmouse Horned Lark Golden-crowned
Kinglet (FOY)White-breasted Nuthatch Carolina Wren European Starling
Northern Mockingbird Eastern Bluebird American Robin Cedar Waxwing House
Sparrow American Pipit House Finch Pine Siskin American Goldfinch Chipping
Sparrow (FOY)Field Sparrow American Tree Sparrow (FOY Thursday)Fox Sparrow
(FOY Monday)Dark-eyed Junco (FOY Monday)White-crowned Sparrow White-throated
Sparrow Savannah Sparrow Song Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Eastern Towhee Eastern
Meadowlark Red-winged Blackbird Brown-headed Cowbird Rusty Blackbird Common
Grackle Northern Cardinal ================NOTES TO
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