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Post by felicity on Apr 23, 2014 7:26:17 GMT
Being inspired by these lovely Bird Houses I gave it a try myself. Here we are:   I made it rather small and now thinking about bigger proper one. But there are some questions: - if anyone knows about these houses used by birds or they are pure decorative pieces? If they are functional, where is the best place for a hole? I put it too low I think... Mine is very light (and small) so it will be swaying in a wind and birds (baby birds!) may get airsick! I have no idea how to make it stable apart of nailing it to tree trunk or putting a heavy stone in the bottom... Don't laugh at me I am serious! Any suggestions are welcome! |
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Post by zed on Apr 23, 2014 9:13:02 GMT
Felicity, I made one and put it up outside, first on the tree in the garden. I used ties at the bottom to keep it from swaying. The birds just took the locks off it and didn't go in as far as I know. It looked like it was getting a bit mossy so I took it down and washed it, then put it up in my rosemary bushes, where I'd seen little birds flying into. I can't really see it, so don't know if they use it.
I was thinking of doing another and putting fibre in for nesting, but nesting time might be over?
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Post by lyn on Apr 23, 2014 9:15:49 GMT
It's lovely Felicity! I think your idea of securing it so it doesn't sway is good - if it sways the bird might not think it safe to nest in.
The RSPB has this advice about size and position of hole:
The entrance hole size depends on the species you hope to attract:
25 mm for blue, coal and marsh tits
28 mm for great tits, tree sparrows and pied flycatchers
32 mm for house sparrows and nuthatches
45 mm for starlings
The small box with 100 mm high open front may attract robins or pied wagtails. A wren would need a 140 mm high front panel, while spotted flycatchers prefer a low 60 mm front to the box.
The bottom of the entrance hole must be at least 125 mm from the floor of the nestbox. If it's less, young birds might fall out or be scooped out by a cat. The inside wall below the entrance hole should be rough to help the young birds to clamber up when it's time for them to leave.
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Post by lyn on Apr 23, 2014 9:17:55 GMT
Zed - people who cut down trees and hedges are advised that:
The ‘Bird Nesting Season’ is officially from 1st March until 31st July (Natural England)
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Post by felicity on Apr 23, 2014 9:44:21 GMT
Zed, Lyn thank you very much! I think the nesting time is over for this year. Our blue tits are very busy feeding their youngs. I know that in a good year they may have more than one brood in a year but I think they will not change the nest...
Anyway I will keep the information Lyn provided and see how it turns out. We have a variety of birds in a garden some of them will like a new house maybe...
I am thinking about putting it in a garden for a summer time as just an ornamental piece then store it in a shed for winter and put outside again in early spring when birds are looking for new houses. I like making them I may make more than one!
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 23, 2014 11:03:02 GMT
I like them as bird feeders better because you get to see the birds more. I am told people have birds nesting in them. I make them in a decretive way so that if no one goes in them you can still enjoy them.
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Post by halay on Apr 23, 2014 12:56:15 GMT
Felicity, you know that I had the same questions in my mind since I am planning to make one too. We already have a feeder and I think birds would enjoy a nesting as well. Thank you, girls for your comments and advice.
I was also thinking of putting a very thin sheet of plastic under the last two layers of wool to protect the nest from getting wet inside. What do you think?
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Post by felicity on Apr 23, 2014 13:36:20 GMT
I was also thinking of putting a very thin sheet of plastic under the last two layers of wool to protect the nest from getting wet inside. What do you think? I am not sure about it... In nature there is no such thing as "waterproof nest". I even read an advice to make a few holes in the bottom to provide proper drainage. I will try to full it as well as I can to make it water repellent. And yes I think of using it as a feeder in summer time. It's never too many feeders in the garden! |
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 23, 2014 13:45:50 GMT
For a feeder I think you need the hole to be bigger. If I really wanted to get a bird in it I would do some research as to where they like to nest. when people ask me if they are water proof I say they are water repellant and they are dryer than a nest.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 23, 2014 14:01:48 GMT
Since viewing Ann's post on her bird feeder class, I also have been thinking about making one, but I live in an urban area in a town home and wonder if the birds will visit me? Last summer I hung a standard hummingbird feeder on my deck, thinking the hummingbirds would come, but they never did, even though I faithfully freshened the liquid in the old fashion glass container.
So, a couple of questions: would I have a better chance of attracting birds with a felt nester or feeder?
And then technically, does anyone have a good method for handling those pesky seams in resist-based vessels?
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Post by lyn on Apr 23, 2014 14:37:53 GMT
Felicity, you know that I had the same questions in my mind since I am planning to make one too. We already have a feeder and I think birds would enjoy a nesting as well. Thank you, girls for your comments and advice. I was also thinking of putting a very thin sheet of plastic under the last two layers of wool to protect the nest from getting wet inside. What do you think? I wouldn't put anything into the birdpod - I would try to place the birdpod in a sheltered spot (natural or manmade) that would prevent it from getting sopping wet. |
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 23, 2014 14:50:35 GMT
Humming birds are very picky about where their feeders are. I think you need to look around the neighbourhood to see where others have their feeders , what they are feeding and what birds show up. It will be different in the summer than the winter. Chickadee's are very brave and bold and will go just about anywhere even landing on feeders while your trying to fill them.
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Post by Shepherdess on Apr 23, 2014 14:59:19 GMT
Loves wool. you need to work them out. What happens is that around the edge is shorter inside then out. like the spine on a book when you open it. I firmly hold both sides of the seam inside and out and pull, wiggling to stretch the inside to match the outside. Then fold it flat the other way and give it a roll. if you can't get you hands inside the grab from the outside and do the best you can. You can put the resist back in the other direction if you are worried about the insides sticking together. It won't fit the same way but enough to prevent sticking.
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Post by MTRuth on Apr 23, 2014 17:09:14 GMT
I think that feeders and water attract more birds than houses/nesting places. Hummingbirds take a while to find a spot but then will come back year after year to the same feeder.
Part of the problem with developing seams is the layout and how tight you pull the wool up against the edge of the resist when wetting down. Also, when you're felting and once the wool starts to hold together, I start working along the edges trying to move the resist and wool apart from each other a little so that you don't develop a seam at all.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Apr 23, 2014 18:17:19 GMT
Ann, Ruth--Thanks for the tips on bird feeders and felting seams! Last time I made a vessel was a couple of years ago, and I do think my felting skills have improved since then! Your recommendations for working the seams make sense.
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