calling any one from missouri

[OhZark Biddies]

I was wondering about that general design, so much you find on the net is just a copy of some poor design, or a poor design trying to sell you something then there is pinterest... but don't get me started on that place.

The general dimensions would be great to have, but seeing where this pair nested on top of a 4x4 post... I wonder if you need more than a flat spot with a roof if outdoors?

JT

You’re exactly right, they don’t need much...

I hung an old boot on the back of the shed under the eve and they used that last year...

they also raised a clutch on my tractor PTO... and tried to nest on a shelf in the shed...

I’ve given them coffee cans to nest in too.... so pretty much anything...

but I try to give them something they’ll like better than shed shelves and PTOs and trash cans ... just so to prevent them from putting them where I don’t want them...

they cooperate about 2 out of 3 times a year... but it seems they insist on raising one clutch in an inconvenient ( to me) spot no matter, lol

Here’s a general plan that I pulled from the web ( if I’ve linked the PDF correctly)

 

[shawluvsbirds]

Ninja wrens, lol

I think you’re talking about ‘house wrens’ ... luckily we don’t have these here at the house... they are known for destroying blue birds nests... so they can have the box...

... the ‘fake’ nest thing is kinda a pain with the Carolina wrens as he fills some of my other houses with sticks in the spring and then they never use them...

I just wait till I figure out where they are and then take all of that out... then the chickadees or tufted titmouse’s move in...

Ya house wrens
I know. .they sometimes mess up the purple bug eaters nests too.
But I've given up trying to get rid of them.
They are little ninjas when it comes to catching bugs. And I've seen them take on and swallow tomato worms bigger than they are.

 

[jthornton]

Here’s a general plan that I pulled from the web ( if I’ve linked the PDF correctly)

Yep, link was fine. Didn't see that one, I kinda like the drop front.

JT

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Yeah they like that drop front too so they can get those precious sticks in there, lol

That one came from this link, you can find a compatible plan for all of the listed species.. not sure if this site asks for an email or anything ...

https://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/

This site has several plans too
http://www.nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox-plans-for-bluebirds.html#slotboxes

This is one that I’ve made several of... although I used a scrap of 2x4 for the front
http://www.nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox-article-gilwood.html

Designed for Bluebirds but because of where I have them the chickadees use them mostly


This license plate one has been a complete dud, probably location as much as anything ... it’s actually only a 2 holer... the middle is a false hole just for looks... I’m thinking of redoing the front and making a dropped slot so the wrens will use it


Edit
@jthornton I did find the clock plans too so I’ll add them here... I laid this out to use scrap 1x material I had, so it’s a little bulky... using plywood for some of the parts would eliminate some of that... hope you can make sense of the PDF it’s not detailed the best

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I went to see if the honey bees were hauling pollen today and caught this ‘Giant Swallowtail’ flutter fly romancing the surprise lilies

 

[shawluvsbirds]

I went to see if the honey bees were hauling pollen today and caught this ‘Giant Swallowtail’ flutter fly romancing the surprise lilies

View attachment 1865763 View attachment 1865764 View attachment 1865765

Hey that reminds me!
I saw a monarch yesterday.
It didn't land anywhere for a picture though.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Hey that reminds me!
I saw a monarch yesterday.
It didn't land anywhere for a picture though.

Maybe they are not as bad off as I thought...

I thought at some point I read something saying they were as good as gone... but then the other day I was looking up the difference between them and their mimics and monarchs weren’t even listed as threatened

 

[jthornton]

hope you can make sense of the PDF

Yes, it makes perfect sense to me, thanks for looking that up.

That nestwatch.org site is pretty cool... just thinking of using some of the cedar siding that I removed for bird houses...

JT

 

[jthornton]

This site has several plans too
http://www.nestboxbuilder.com/nestbox-plans-for-bluebirds.html#slotboxes

This is very interesting as we have quite a few blue birds around here... I need to get busy and finish the house siding so I can build some bird nest boxes... but wait I still need to finish the new chicken coop!

JT

 

[SueT]

The Pixie chicks went out adventuring....usually when the hens have been let out to free range, the youngsters have chosen to stay in. But yesterday they ventured into the yard, Beldar in the lead, the girls sticking to him like glue....mama hen has weaned them and they are on their own. They'll be 8 wks old this coming week.