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New Birdhouses

10 years ago

I am in Northern Virginia and I would like to attract birds to my backyard. I have fruit trees (but most are still small) and bushes and a garden. I also have a three post T-type trellis on which my hardy kiwis climb. On each post I would like to mount a bird house. Any advice on the types of birds to attract and the types of birdhouses to build, etc.

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Comments (5)

Konrad___far_north
10 years ago
House with a 1 and 1/8" hole to keep house sparrows out.
You'll attract chickadees, wrens and nuthatch and perhaps other small birds.
tmann05
10 years ago
Hi Charlie,

You really need to visit the following link before you set your birds up for disaster. Follow the instructions for properly mounting and maintaining nest boxes. Please also join the website if you like and post any questions you have. Thanks

http://bluebirdnutcafe.yuku.com/topic/5934/How-I-install-a-nest-box

-Tyler
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lol@ you guys! That is too cute and like you all you could do so many things to it to change it up. I just wonder if a bird would build in it with it being so shallow under the hole? I know bluebirds like a deep hole under the entrance hole. Thank you for posting the link! Will have to keep this one in mind. ;)
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I don't know that it would hurt to spray clear coat. But, i wouldn't advise it - i coated birdhouses with clearcoat, and the coatings weathered and peeled, looked worse than doing nothing at all. If you do nothing, the cedar ages to a gray color, and will still last a very long time (many years). I don't bother coating mine. If you want cedar to stay a yellowish color, you can use a stain made specifically for cedar. I would check the diameter of the entrance hole. What is sold in stores as "wren houses," typically have only an inch or 1 1/8 inch hole. House wrens can squeeze in that, but carolinas need a 1 1/2 inch hole. Unfortunately, house sparrows can get in that hole as well, so you have to have the heart to tear out sparrow nests if they try your wren box.
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It looks really nice actually, functionally cute. I am assuming it is either front or side opening for cleaning or monitoring and that it has vents?? My only criticism would be your comment about it ending up in a tree. A proper birdhouse should be mounted on a slick metal pole (conduit) with a predator baffle to deter climbing predators. It should be at least 15 feet away from trees or fences that predators could jump from. Mounted on a tree it is open season for raccoons, squirrels, snakes etc. If you care at all about the Titmouse you want to attract to it, do not mount it on/in a tree. Donna
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Comments (8)
Yes, it was a tin can with a lid that cookies or candy or somesuch came in. I punched the holes for the hanger, and the entrance. put some wire loops in the holes. I fiberglass taped the inside and thinsetted it, popped the lid on, fiberglass taped the whole thing and thinsetted it, being careful to leave my wire loops for the hanger out. then I thinsetted the cap carefully on-It was a candy dish lid. underneath it I glued some globs just to add color to the sparkle. I was SOOOO careful with those wire loops, then when I grouted I covered them up! I had to dig them out. I just attached some twisted copper for a hanger. Thanks for the compliments ladies!
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Charlie
Original Author
10 years ago
Tyler - I have visited the site, but I want to accomplish the same things by mounting the birdhouses on by tressil posts. As protection from preditors, my intention is to install a hail-wire cover on the front of the house with the same size hole it it as the house and to securely fasten it to the post. Any advice?
tmann05
10 years ago
Charlie,

I can't picture what you are trying to do very clearly, if you can modify a baffle to make it fit on the post like we do on the slick metal poles then go for it. If not, maybe hang decorative bird houses on your tressil posts and plug the entrance hole if it has one. Then in your yard place a proper nest box with baffle. Feel free to post on bluebird nut cafe, you will get more help there than here.
Charlie
Original Author
10 years ago
Hre is my concept.

{{!gwi}}

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