New Woodstock

When I originally built this house I used a 7/16 plywood. Well, even though I did my best to seal the edges from weather, Woodstock lost a couple of plies along with Snoopy's right ear. So, yesterday, I took it down an made a new Woodstock and ear. I used a piece of treated 1x4 that I sliced in half with my band saw and sanded the rough cut side. Then I traced out the patterns, cut, sanded, and repainted. The new Woodstock looks right at home. I will probably be taking this house to NC when we move.

Snoopy House Resident

May 12 -- This is a house I built in November of 2011. Now it is spring, and we have residents. They appear to be House Sparrows.

Jesus said, "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

Bird Apartments for Let

March 15. Finished up the birdhouse church today by putting a long perch on each side and a single perch on the front.

Hopefully it is early enough to get some "renters." We shall see. 

First Baptist, Dresden.

Creating a New Bird House

I have been making these drawings of First Baptist Church in Dresden, OH.  That is where Marcia and I were married in 1973.  I want to make it into a dwelling for at least 5 bird families. I am in the drawing/planning stage now. I will post progress later.

Did a lot today, Saturday. See below. There are eleven "apartments."

I will make the roof so it is removable for cleaning. Next, I will be sanding and painting.

Monday, March 12, I fixed the roof so I can remove it. I've sanded it, and started to fill holes and caulk seams. Because of impending rain, I called it a day about half way through.

Wednesday, March 14.  Finished detailing, put up the pole and mounted on the pole. I used the same paint as the shed and a sort of burgundy for the roof. Windows are black and trim is white.

Now, I want to add a perch for each hole. I am debating whether to do one for each hole or make a single perch all the way across. Cogitating for the moment. Tomorrow is a new day.

Woodstock Arrives

Woodstock arrives.

Today, I created a friendly addition to my recumbent Snoopy.  Yes, it is Woodstock, the little yellow bird who likes to sit on Snoopy's stomach.  Now Snoopy will have company for the winter.

Before Woodstock's arrival.

Houses For Rent

Open and ready for the winter season.  Newly cleaned and refurbished houses are ready for immediate occupancy.

Nice Neighborhood

Barn Roof

Spacious

Efficiency

Traditional

Clean

One Dog Owner

House Cleaning

Today, I decided it was a beautiful day to do some house cleaning.  Bird house cleaning, that is.  I took down all of my bird houses and cleaned the old nests out.  While I was at it, I re-painted those that needed it.  When I took the roof off of one of the houses, I found a little tree toad. It was cool outside today, so, the toad was lethargic. I brought the bird house in and took his picture (see below).  Then, I returned him to the tree and continued my bird house maintenance. After, I finished, I checked on the toad, and he was in the same spot I left him on the tree.  I hope he finds a good place to winter in.

Six bird houses.

The toad was in the house on the right.

Fall is upon us.

Tree toad hiding out in bird house.

Released back to the tree.

OK, now what?

In the Tree

Recumbent Snoopy is now in the tree in our front yard.  He will weather the fall and winter and be ready for spring.

Recumbent Snoopy Bird House

Here's the classic recumbent Snoopy on his dog house.  Having completed my first Snoopy bird house, this one went much smoother. I reduced the size of the door a little and did the bottom (3/4 inch pine) a little differently. By removing the two front screws, the bottom will hinge down for easy clean out. The rest of the project is all made of 1/2 inch plywood.  The ears were cut from one piece and then split so they are mirror images of each other.

Completed:  9-28-11.

Snoopy Bird House

Here's the World War I flying ace in his Sopwith Camel.  "Curse you, Red Baron!"

I have been thinking about this bird house for several days, and finally decided to take it on.  I looked up images of the WWI flying ace online and free handed something like this one from memory.

I cut it out, assembled it, primed it, painted the roof, and sketched out Snoopy all in an afternoon. Then I set it aside to dry for a day. 

Here's the bird house ready to be detailed.

After it had dried, I got some new paints and finished it up.  Next spring, this should make some birds a new home. 

I am visualizing some new houses even now. This was fun.

Completed: 9-25-11