How do you guys put out live mealworms for the Robins? Last year I put them out and the Robins didn't really seem interested-though the squirrels liked them I had them on a low platform feeder next to a birdbath under a tree which seemed like a good set up to me-what do I know, I'm not a Robing, I guess!

Deb,

My experience is only with dried mealworms and bluebirds. I find that the bluebirds ignore them unless they are feeding their babies, which usually begins around July 1. While they are feeding the babies, they go through a LOT of mealworms, some days I have to fill the feeder a couple of times. lSince you are in Minnesota, you should have some bluebirds around! If you have an open dish feeder, try setting some out the beginning of July and see what happens!

With robins, they won't come to the normal hanging feeders, robins are either high in trees, or they forage on the ground. So I would try a dish of the worms on the ground where you normally see the robins. It may take a day or two for them to find the worms. Also, I haven't paid attention to when the robin babies are around, but I would think they are earlier than bluebirds.

Alyssa

Thanks, Alyssa! I'll give the ground a try.

Here in urban area we get too many house sparrows to be worth feeding mealworms

My robins (and sparrows) are happy now-so am I! I put out a small sprinkler because I know they love that and then sprinkled some mealworms on the ground nearby. Worked like a charm

Oh yeah, the sprinkler is a great idea! Bet that's fun to watch!