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)
I’d love to take that class!
This is an excellent idea!
I’d love to learn how to make some birdhouses
Bat house is something I would be interested in, have thought about building one to keep them around, but out of the house.
I’ll second bat houses as well!
I would suggest Wood Duck houses. The landscape is deficient and those birds are beautiful.
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.
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!
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
I would also be interested in taking a class on building a bird and/or bat house!