it's Spring... time for Bird Houses!

I made a whole bunch of birdhouses - just before my second hand surgery and I knew I would not be able to do anything for at least another two months... I googled quite a few sites and settled on a couple interesting designs and ideas. We still had quite a few hemlock 6, 8 and 10" wide planks left over (not so much anymore) and all the houses below are made from what we still had laying about the workshop.

All nest boxes are made from recycled rough cut hemlock - the rough cut gives grip and traction and the hemlock gives long life even left untreated. The ones listed below are available and range between $15 to $30 each (see craigslist).


The Woodpecker House:

From the site http://www.freebirdhouseplans.net/woodpeckerbirdhouseplan.html
A birdhouse suitable for members of the woodpecker family and also for nuthatches and titmice, including chickadees.

It is attached to boles / main trunk of trees. The bottom is removable. It has grooves below the hole on the inside to make the inside surface rough to make it easier for the baby birds to get out of the box.


measures 30" by 10" (it's large but skinny)


The Squirrel Nest Box!

from the website http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wildlife/ndblinds/kestrel.htm
Indeed, who needs more squirrels :) This nest box is suitable for the Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, and Fox Squirrel.

Squirrels can be attracted by using this box and filling it half full of leaves and mounting it at least 30 feet above the ground on a tree at least 10 inches in diameter. It is not necessary to clean out squirrel boxes.



measures 22 inches by 12 inches (it's heavy)


Wren & House Finch Nest Box:

from the site http://www.freebirdhouseplans.net/wrensbirdhouseplan.html
For wrens it may be placed on a tree or fence post. If attached near the eaves of a building, house finches will use it as well.

The insert / shelf can be easily removed by prying it up and sliding it out for easy cleaning access.



measures 15" by 10"


Robin & Barn Swallow Nest Box:

from the site http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wildlife/ndblinds/robin.htm
The nesting shelf can be placed near a window where the birds can be observed throughout the nesting season or to a tree trunk or post 6-10 feet off the ground. Barn swallows will also utilize this shelf structure and may be encouraged to nest away from a doorway or other inconvenient location if presented with this opportunity.



the shelf unit is 13 inches tall and 8 inches deep


Peterson Blue Bird House:

Made from both recycled hemlock and old barn wood.
Mount on a post at/overlooking a field at about 5 feet high

for specifics please check the NPWRC website at:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/wildlife/ndblinds/peteblue.htm



the mounting board is 30 inches tall, the house about 10x14 inches.

Whichever house does not find a new home I will mount this Fall, when I can properly use a screwdriver at the top of a ladder again :)