Expert: Bluebird Bob Walshaw - 5/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: My Bluebirds love the mealworm feeder I have near my house.  Now that it's warmer out, the feeder is in a high traffic area.  Should I move the bluebird feeder closer to their bluebird box?  How far should a feeder be spaced from the bluebird box?  I know how taxing it is on the parents to find food for their young so if closer is better...really whatever is best for them.  Thanks, Tammy

ANSWER: Hi Tammy. We feed birds for our own enjoyment (and I do it too). Except in a prolonged ice storm they really don't need it, and it is risky to get them dependent on it, especially the young who have to learn in a short time how to forage. Some people just feed meal worms in a little container on top of the Bluebird box. Send your
mailing address to me at walshaw1@cox.net and I will send you a free 20 page Bluebird book. Bluebird Bob.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This isn't a bluebird question but it's about a Robin...I hope you can help me.  We found a Robins egg on a wheel barrel the other day and next to it was the start of a new nest.  A few hours later it looked like the Robin was trying to build the nest and hide the egg that sat next to the nest.  Today the nest looks finished and the egg is still on the outside of the nest and nearly hidden by grass.  How will she incubate?  Any ideas on what happened initially and is there anything we should do?  Why was the egg laid first?  I'm perplexed...that's mother nature for ya.  Thank you.

Answer
Sometimes a bird just has to lay an egg before a nest is ready, or another nesting attempt was interupted. Don't worry about it - she will lay other eggs to compensate, or you can put in with the others when she starts to lay more. Bluebird Bob. PS - did you send your mailing address to walshaw1@cox.net for the free Bluebird book? I have sent so many I can't remember.