Still chomping at the bit, I gathered a bit of plywood laying around and made the birdhouse. Wishing I had a stockpile of wood laying around. Used an aluminum soda can inside the opening to prevent critters etc. from chewing the opening. Top hasn't been attached yet. Need a hinge.

 

Edited April 2, 20206 yr by Al B

Looks good, how did you attach the can to the hole?

 I've built quite a few small bird houses. Never had a problem with other birds pecking away the hole. I've had woodpeckers pecking on other flat places tho.

I just completed two houses for small birds like Finch, Titmouse  and Wrens. 

I looked up the hole size and depth to get it right for those small ones. One big difference is location, here in Colorado we have some really BIG birds such as Owls Hawks and Eagles. They prey on small birds and game. I've had a large Golden Eagle in our small bird bath. I have been using up scrap too. My supply is about gone. Not good when we are self isolating.  

Nice, Al.  I really like the can idea.  Yes, how did you attach it?  

Really nice build. I’ll bet it is already rented!

4 minutes ago, lew said:

I’ll bet it is already rented!

Not yet, credit check is taking longer due to lower than normal staff levels at the bank.  

Thistle seed should bring plenty of renters.

1 hour ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Looks good, how did you attach the can to the hole?

I cut the can very carefully on the bandsaw by rotating the can so it was cutting only on the bottom edge.  Then I cut across the cylinder using a utility knife. The small soda can was almost the same size as the 1 1/4" hole. Glued it in using gorilla magic glue. Took about 5 minutes to set up, constantly pressing it for a tight fit. Then sanded the small excess on my belt sander. Glued it in before gluing the extender to the house. Squirrels, have damaged previous birdhouses

Edited April 2, 20206 yr by Al B

53 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Not yet, credit check is taking longer due to lower than normal staff levels at the bank.  

Also, background checks.

2 hours ago, Ron Altier said:

 I've built quite a few small bird houses. Never had a problem with other birds pecking away the hole. I've had woodpeckers pecking on other flat places tho.

I just completed two houses for small birds like Finch, Titmouse  and Wrens. 

I looked up the hole size and depth to get it right for those small ones. One big difference is location, here in Colorado we have some really BIG birds such as Owls Hawks and Eagles. They prey on small birds and game. I've had a large Golden Eagle in our small bird bath. I have been using up scrap too. My supply is about gone. Not good when we are self isolating.  

The eagles seem to stay along the shores of the river here. Lots of owls, hawks and turkey vultures . Woodpeckers seem content burrowing holes in the trees. They destroyed a beech tree on my property. Squirrels are the problem. By the way, I also glued plastic wrap to the top, hoping to deter wasps. Spray on glue worked fine.

Edited April 2, 20206 yr by Al B

25 minutes ago, Al B said:

Squirrels are the problem.

These guys need some work.  

 

    

 

 

 

  

 

Cats don't roam freely here for very long. Coyotes and large owls kill and eat them at night. I had a cat come in our dog door at night. Our dog alerted my wife and it left in a hurry out the dog door. I put out a live trap and caught him. Took him to the animal shelter and he had a chip that IDed his owner. It cost $50 to get him back. I saw him again roaming, but he never came close to our house. Shortly after that some critter, probably an Owl got him. I saw a Great Western owl on my neighbor's roof and he was over 2 feet from his head to his tail. He could easily carry off small pets

14 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

These guys need some work.  

 

 

Don't need no stinkin' work , got the life of Riley with such a soft touch they have found

Decided I might as well clean the shop a bit today. Found a length of piano hinge, so now I can attach the top to the finch house. Just wondering if painting the house is a good idea? Might that deter squirrels ?

4 hours ago, Al B said:

Might that deter squirrels ?

 

I need one of those in the front yard to entertain the neighbors.  

I've experienced their persistence. Just wondered if paint might deter the chewing.

3 minutes ago, Al B said:

Just wondered if paint might deter the chewing.

I would doubt it.  This year has been terrible for people bringing in cars and trucks with chewed wires and hoses. 

Nothing short of shooting the vermin seems to work.  

And, then you have those neighbors who will call the police if you shoot the squirrels.  My sister lives in the Atlanta region and everytime, they clap at the squirrels, the neighbor comes out crying about shooting the varmints.  I also have a neighbor who gets upset when I shoot squirrels.  But, when she is at work, the pellet gun comes out.  Not much noise, but effective.  

28 minutes ago, FlGatorwood said:

they clap at the squirrels, the neighbor comes out crying about shooting the varmints.

Take a jar of peanut butter and flick spoonfuls under the hood of her car one night.  Bet she doesn't think so much of the vermin after she has to get all the crap they chew through repaired.