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Bird feeder/house/sit-apon

15 years ago

Here is a bird feeder/house/sit-apon thingy I made a couple years ago. I saw something very similar at a local craft show but they wanted $150!!! So I said "I can do that"...and did. Had most the stuff except the stained glass on hand. Loved the whole switch plate window idea.

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Comments (18)

Purplemoon
15 years ago
What a wonderful birdhouse, it needs to go in our Inspiration Album. Don't you love it when you see something priced high, and can go home and make your own!
Good Job. Is the back side open for a feeder or what?

hugs, Karen
daisyme
15 years ago
That's sure an adorable birdhouse. I'd of picked it up too!
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This is fun! So glad you are all trying to find ways to have more wildlife in your gardens. A few thoughts. 1. Vaseline on the poles...works until the weather gets too hot, then it gets gloppy, goopy, full of buts, and finally slides right off. (At least, that was my experience. 2. Slinkies are easy to attach. First, open the top ring of the Slinky. It has a little fastener holding the last loop closed. Just push it with a screwdriver or other tool until the last loop opens up. Slide the Slinky over your pole and into the position you want. Slide a hose clamp over the pole, push the final loop of the Slinky through the hose clamp, and tighten the hose clamp against the pole. Let the Slinky hang free at the bottom. The more it wiggles, the less likely they can climb it. Mine haven't even had the nerve to TRY yet. (I'll post a close up tomorrow so you can see just how it works.) For a $2.00 investment, NO SQUIRRELS! Wooohooooo! 3. Anna, you probably don't want to lure owls (or any predatory bird) to your garden if you are trying to feed birds there. It will frighten them away. If you have a large piece of property and can locate the owl box a LONG way away from your feeding station, that would be fine. Otherwise, I'd rethink that one, if I were you. Wood duck boxes are great if you have a pond or lake nearby. Other birds that will nest in boxes include bluebirds, wrens, titmice, great crested flycatchers, woodpeckers and more. Each requires specific dimensions and hole sizes, and specific locations, heights, etc. All of that info can be found online. 4. Tannatonk, as I said in my posts, I always throw down plenty of cracked corn on the ground for the squirrels and doves. But I try to keep the squirrels out of my feeders, and usually my baffles have worked. Now the Slinky is working well, too, SO FAR. I also feed safflower in the feeders that aren't squirrel proofed, as they don't like it. And no, I have never fed a red-bellied woodpecker by hand. Titmice and some other small birds, yes, but not woodpeckers. Let us know if you succeed! Good luck! Today, I had about 8 indigo buntings at once. In addition to the four adult males I've been seeing, there were 4 first spring males (immatures), and 1 female. Hmmm...that's NINE, isn't it? The painted bunting seems to be gone, and I never saw the rose-breasted grosbeak again, but the indigos are so much fun. They fly fast back and forth between the feeders, and often feed on the ground, like a flock of bright blue sparrows. Marcia
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Well my Resident has moved in...but we right now have had some chilly mornings..wonder if he'll stay... ? I have noticed from other areas that have posted about hummers they have more than one that can feed at a feeder...sure wish they'd get along here...guess it's like people..not too many get along in the neighborhood...LOL. Christy sorry to hear you haven't seen any yet... Hummer Steve..I'll make sure I spread the word to those daring critters...You've got good juice :) If we have more cold mornings our hummers might pack it up Have a good evening everyone God Bless ! BarbZeee
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Comments (14)
I agree with you never enough I bought the 150 500 sigma and still not enough the biggest problem is it is very heavy the best way is if you have a house put up bird feeders also go to parks where there is water. Set the camera on sports mode if the birds are flying or any moving object and also continuous mode If you take pictures of flowers then auto mode is best. I will have to check to see anything new on the market for zoom lens Lorna
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craftylady-2006
15 years ago
Now that is a really nice birdhouse, I love the little doorknob on it.

Sal
virgogirl67
Original Author
15 years ago
I wasn't quite sure what to call it in my post because it hase evolved over time. At one point it did have an opening for the birds to get in. The birds didn't come, but the wasps did. I have an irrational fear of those little critters...so I replaced the side that had the hole w/a solid side and caulked the whole thing so they couldn't get in. The old hooks on the side that doesn't have the knob, I use to hang bird treats on. Mostly the birds just come to sit (and poop) on the roof. :)
chickencollecter
15 years ago
That is fabulous! I would never have thought of the switch plate covers and stained glass for the window effect. I want one of those!
kudzukween
15 years ago
That's a beauty, I'd love to have one! How does everyone make their metal roof? I have some old metal but I don't want to get cut, or the kids to get cut,and nothing will look as good as the metal :) And that's a great idea with the switchplate, I will have to buy them next time I see some at a yard sale or thrift store.
dustyknees
15 years ago
that's a good birdhouse. and the hen offsets it well.
where did that word poop originate? it stinks!
syllabus
15 years ago
Love your little house and especially the corragated (sp?) tin roof! Great idea of the switch plate!

I know you said everything was stuff you had around the house... but do you have any idea of a source for the tin?? All I can ever find is large waved tin and I'm in need of a smaller scale. Thought about just making my own out of flashing... but would rather have the real thing.
daisydal
15 years ago
That is so pretty! You are very talented and have a good eye for the decor. Compared to the gate behind it, it looks pretty large. I love the tin roof,too. Thats too bad about the wasps getting in though, my grandbabies would agree w/ you, they do not like those wasps,either!
Hope you enjoy it thoroughly! blessings-sherri
concretenprimroses
15 years ago
Very cute! Love it that you "saved" $150. Do you think they sold at that price? Maybe you should start a business making stuff.
Kathy
lamb716
15 years ago
That is just so neat! I love it ~ and kudos to you for your "can do" attitude! Two thumbs up ~ great job.
ladytexan
15 years ago
I love that - now I'll have to start picking up those switchplates at garage sales.
virgogirl67
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks all for all the nice compliments!

Syllabus--I got the sheet of corrugated metal at a place called Sutherland's. It's like a Home Depot or Lowes. It comes in managable sized sheets apprx. 2-3' wide & 6-8' long. Not that expensive if I remember right. And a little goes a long way.

Concretenprimroses-I have no idea how many of those high dollar bird houses they sold. But $150 was the low end...they went up from there. And I have had my go at selling my creations. One of those been there, done that kinda things. I sold at local farmer's markets and at craft shows...soon became alot of hassle for me to HAVE to make stuff to keep up. I lost the FUN part of it. Have taken the last couple years off. I will use a different approach if I decide to ever sell things again.

Thanks again all. I will post any more treasures I find this coming weekend.
ritaotay
15 years ago
Syllabus, the below site has red or blue aluminum ( 12" X 19" ) sheets, plain aluminum, brass or copper ( 16" X 19" ) sheets in smooth, corrugated or embossed...

Rita

Here is a link that might be useful: CherryTree
Purplemoon
15 years ago
Rita, thanks for that site. Those sheets are perfect to use looks like.

hugs, Karen
texasfern
15 years ago
Its a beauty!
I too, have done the craft/art shows for years.
Sure gets old. I miss the fellow crafters, but not the "forced work."
Can't wait to see more of your creations!
gottatry
15 years ago
Virgogirl, that is just so dang cute!!!! Hope you don't mind if I (steal) borrow your idea. ;) Isn't it fun to put odds and ends together? I agree, HAVING to make things takes all the fun out of it.
luna_llena_feliz
15 years ago
Very pretty little house! I too love the idea of using the outlet cover as the stained glass window frame. It is too bad about the wasps. I remember when they used to like living in my aunt's mailbox too! For some reason, I think they like the metal. Your ex-birdhouse looks very pretty just as it is.

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