Build Bird Boxes for your Garden
I never used to think about attracting birds to my garden, but over the years, I have established a friendship with the many different species of birds that nest in the garden and bathe in the bird bath.
18/09/2022
I never used to consider myself much of a bird lover. It was nice when birds popped into the garden to visit but other than that, so what. But when I started planting bird-friendly trees, shrubs, and plants, I soon realised what I had been missing out on. Sitting in the garden first thing in the morning and at twilight, there is nothing quite like the bird song of the Cape Robin announcing his presence, or the Louries having a chat on the Acacia, or even a quick visit by the Hoopooes that chuckle and laugh when the rest of the high trees.
Something I have never seen before... a dove sunning in the garden!
It has become such a natural thing now that the birds that live in my garden have become used to us sitting outside and don't even mind walking around the garden as we watch. I have a pair of African Thrush that have been around for a few years and who have a constant neighbourhood squabble with a pair of Cape Robins and their offspring. There is also a village of Weaver birds that have taken over one of the taller trees and their nests hang down over the swimming pool. And then there is the dove population; there are rock doves, a few turtle doves and a couple of strikingly coloured pigeons, all of which appear in the garden every day. It's really lovely and adds such a relaxing atmosphere to the garden. Even our Dachshund has become immune to the birds waking around the garden.
Let the kids get involved in making bird boxes. It teaches them basic DIY skills and will encourage them to take more interest in the nature and wildlife that surround them.
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designs for bird boxes: morningchores.com/bird-house-plans/
Build Bird Boxes
There are all different species of birds that may visit a garden and it all depends on your location. You will have seen birds that are regular visitors, and these are the ones you want to entice to nest in your garden. Bird boxes are designed for specific birds since they don't all like the same boxes, sort of like us humans. There are birds that are happy with a hole in the front, birds that prefer to crawl into a bird box, and others, like doves, that need a bird box with a larger opening. For this project, I am making more bird boxes for the growing population of doves that visit my garden, and particularly the Turtle Doves.
Making bird boxes is something that the whole family can get involved in by building and mounting the bird boxes in the garden and then watching birds take up residence to add to their family. It is also a great feeling knowing that you are helping the local bird population to grow in the area.
Builders stock a wide selection of pine products both PAR and raw timber, so can you choose which option best suits your budget with raw timber being around half the price of PAR timber. You will also need waterproof wood glue and screws to assemble the bird boxes. I have included a few images below of the bird boxes made for the doves and these have proven to be successful over the past few years.
The boxes I made are basic with a slanted roof and an opening at the front. I mounted these onto high trees in the garden using zip ties threaded through drilled holes at the back of the bird boxes to secure them to a large branch. Try to avoid using laminated pine shelving for this project, as the laminated planks tends to split open after a while in the elements. Rather opt for wider planks.
Do not treat the wood in any way to avoid any toxic chemicals harming the birds or the smell keeping the birds away. Let them age naturally and replace if necessary, after a few years.
Choose a tree where the birds prefer to roost, preferably as high as possible so that the birds are safe from predators such as cats. The bird boxes should also be in amongst the foliage so that it is almost hidden out of sight. You don't often see bird nests in the trees, but they are there, it is just that the birds prefer their privacy.
Drill holes through the back of the bird box so that you can thread through zip ties to secure the box onto a large branch.
Have a Bird Feeder
Feeding the birds will also attract more birds to your garden and we already have quite a few recycled bird feeder designs that you can make. Browse through out Recycled Crafts section for bird feeder ideas.
I purchase wild bird seed for the smaller bird species and poultry mix for the doves. Both are inexpensive and will last a month or two.
Set out a Bird Bath or Large Tray
Access to water is also essential for birds that visit the garden, especially during winter when there is no rainfall. You don't need to invest in an expensive concrete bird bath, birds will be quite happy with a large tray from a plant pot that is mounted on top of a wooden beam or stack of bricks.
Birds don't care how fancy a bird bath is as long as they have access to fresh water!
