i always forget to suggest this in a timely fashion but we might consider doing a birdhouse class/workshop in the spring. lots of people build fancy birdhouses that aren’t safe or the right size and we can use the audobon’s prefab designs, plus do a little education. these are bluebird nesting boxes they are quite easy to make with one plank, some screws and caulk. would need to use a miter saw (or possibly tablesaw)
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I’d love to take that class!
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This is an excellent idea!
I’d love to learn how to make some birdhouses
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Bat house is something I would be interested in, have thought about building one to keep them around, but out of the house.
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I’ll second bat houses as well!
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I would suggest Wood Duck houses. The landscape is deficient and those birds are beautiful.
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I’ve done bat houses before when my son was a scout. I’ll put together something and run it by Charlie.
I also have a book of bird house plans somewhere. I’ll dig it up and look thru it for something fun and suitable.
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If you want to take it over that sounds good to me. Let me know how I can help. One of my concerns is that I see a lot of decorative bird houses that are dangerous.
For example I just saw two other Lansing orgs build fun birdhouses with neighborhood groups that included perches–generally Michigan cavity nesters don’t need perches, but predators do, so they are creating a dangerous situation for the young birds or eggs.
Cornell labs has good guidance on bird houses so consider cross checking your book with that or another scientific resource
Thanks for your consideration!
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Kryz, i didn’t mean to take over a class if you want to teach one. LMN needs more people interested in running classes. If you want to teach one, then go for it.
There is a procedure for proposing a new class. Please get with Charlie Finkel to learn how to do so…
Tony
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I would also be interested in taking a class on building a bird and/or bat house!
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I have a small prototype bat house that would work for a one off class. Its about 12W, 24T, and 3" thick. If there’s interest, we can do a class to put these together and test the process. It could lead to a regular class, if someone wants to teach it. I’ll leave an example near the wood racks near the loading dock door.
I have to cost it out a bit more, but a one off class would run in the neighborhood of $25-35. If you’re interested, leave a comment here, and we can talk more. This class would probably take place in May.
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I’d love to participate!
I’d be interested in taking a class!
Heres the prototype. Be aware that the finished product will likely be different dimensions, materials, etc. But not majorly so.
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I have never run a class before, but I’ve made my own birdhouses! Would love to work with someone - maybe Tony? - to do some birdhouse classes. I’ve made homes for wrens/chickadees and bluebirds. Attached is a good overview of specs and a crappy picture of my most recent wren house, complete with blurry wren, made of genuine home depot cedar plank. I’d love to help teach either, along with the cool bat house Tony posted!
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Anyone interested in doing this bat house - let’s schedule an informal class. I’m available evenings next week Monday or Tuesday. If that doesn’t work, we can try for some day the following week. Please reply with what days you can attend.
This would take probably 2 hours to complete, I’d say. Costs would be about $10-15 for materials, plus a donation to LMN for what you think is fair.
This will be capped at a max of 6 people this time. Please post here if you plan to attend, so I can get the materials together.
Tony
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Monday or Tuesday evening next week would work for me!
For the time being, i will restrict this to only the people who have already expressed their interest in this class. If others want to do this, post your interest here, and we will see what develops.
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