January Brought the Bluebird Season

Many Bluebirds can be seen in our county during winter. A few are seen in town as more people provide year round food, fresh water and a good nest box for their use. To attract Bluebirds to your backyard you need a bluebird feeder filled with "winter pudding" or mealworms. Bluebirds cannot eat sunflower and other seeds a their beaks are not designed for this. Bluebirds eat insects, berries and man made food mixes such as winter pudding. They can best be fed by making a feeder with see through sides and with 1.5 inch holes at each end. Dogwood berries and mealworms which can be purchased locally attract bluebirds. Winter pudding can also be put in saucers around the yard for any bird.

"Approximate Nesting Schedule for Bluebirds in North Carolina"

Jan/Feb- Bluebirds begin looking for nest box
March/April- Nest building and egg laying
April/May- First hatching
June/July- Second hatching
August- Third hatching

Jim Felts in Wilkes county reported an egg laid on March 7, 2002. So it really helps to get your bird house in place in January or early February.

Bluebirds are territorial during the nesting season and typically will not build within 100 yards of another bluebird nest. The male selects the site and begins courting. When the female accepts she will do virtually all of the nest building. She will lay one egg a day until 3-6 eggs are laid. Incubation begins after the last egg is laid and the brood will hatch in 13-14 days. Both adults then begin their frantic search for small soft insects to feed the young. Each nestling is fed about every 20 minutes. This is a most enjoyable time to watch the activity around the bluebird box.

After 17-18 days the young are ready to fledge. They climb to the entrance hole and look out and generally settle back in the nest. Instinct beckons however and soon all leave the nest ususally on the same day. Watching this nesting cycle will make you proud that you have helped. (Info from the NCBS)

Winter Pudding Recipe

You may want to try this "Winter Pudding" recipe for your bluebird feeder!

2 quarts water
1 cup margarine
4 cups grits (not instant)
1 cup peanut butter
raisins and peanut hearts (optional)

In a large saucepan, bring water and margarine to a boil. Slowly add grits, stirring and cooking until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, raisins and peanut hearts. Mix together well, then place in feeders. Freeze the balance in low plastic or foil containers for future use.