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Create a Winter Birdhouse
By using fallen branches, tin cans and a bit of glue, you can create a haven for your winter birds. It’s easy and just takes a little time and patience.
Here’s How:
• Gather branches 1” – 1 1/2” in diameter, including some with angled limbs
• 1/2” cedar or pine board
• Small nails – 3d and 4d
• One big nail (for punching holes in the tin roof)
• Waterproof glue (Gorilla glue works well)
• An assortment of tin cans
• A can opener
• A hammer
• A saw
Instructions:
• Decide on the finished width and length of your birdhouse.
• Trim the cedar board to the desired length. This will be the base.
• Cut two side branches 6” longer than the length of the base.
• Nail/glue side branches to the sides of the base, leaving approximately 3” overhang on each end of the base.
• Cut two front and back branches 8” longer than the width of the base.
• Stack them on top of the base, extending them approximately 3” longer than the base.
• Cut two branches to fill in the gap between the front and back side walls.
• Repeat the “stacking” of branches for one more layer.
• Locate two forked branches that have similar angles. These make the peak of the roof.
• Cut both forked branches the same length.
• Nail them to the front and back of the house.
• Nail smaller branches along the top of the peak to form a roof.
• Open both ends of the tin cans.
• Step on them, or flatten them with the hammer.
• Using large nail, pound holes along the edges of the cans.
• Attach the cans to the peak of the roof with nails. Note: if using large cans, you may be able to bend one in half to cover both sides of the roof, otherwise, you may need two roofing layers, starting at the bottom edge of the slop, and working your way up to the peak.
• Bend a tin can at the peak, to keep out the rain.
Set your rustic birdhouse outside in your garden and enjoy!
--Submitted by Jennifer Carlson, a landscape designer in Seattle, Washington.
