WINONA, Minn. – To every birdwatchers’ delight, a few hungry bluebirds have emerged in recent days from winter nests in old woodpecker holes for whatever snacks they can find. These include dried berries on sumac and also dried mealworms in bird feeders. In the last 40 years, eastern bluebird populations have made an astonishing comeback from a massive decline, largely with help from people putting up bluebird nesting boxes at the edge of open fields. While their numbers have rebounded, they still are not a common winter sighting.
Warm water treat. A flock of a half dozen bluebird have been congregating at this heated winter birdbath up East Burns Valley. Image: Andy Frank
