First Batches of the Birdhouse Season (8).

Fresh Off the Assembly Line.

Red cedar house with varnished pine roof, sporting classy trim.

Finally, I can say I am adding finished birdhouses to my basement shelves in preparation for Gathering on the Green, June 3.

With one week to go, I should be able to add final touches to at least another dozen models and have a full load to truck over to The Green next Saturday morning. Already I am excited.

 This cedar house comes with a free birdhouse. Classy move!

 Last bits about to be added.... a cat prowling the roof!

The last of my gray barn board classics.

This is me.... excited!!

Please link to First Batches of the Birdhouse Season (7).

Photos GH

J.R. Models and a Bathouse (2)

Green Roofs and a Black Bat

I think red cedar (rescued, Home Depot*) is an excellent and affordable choice for a JR-style birdhouse. Teak, aluminum plate and chromium screws (see original JR Davidson models online) are a bit out of my league. The perch is a solid drawer handle and the trim is century old red pine. Together, with a touch of green paint, my GH models will stand out well, on a fence post or side of a tree.

GH model is ready to be attached to a sturdy pole or tree trunk

 The bathouse, made from white pine barn board (new, from Home Depot), is another solid model and helps the bat population increase over the years. Old South in the Wortley Village area dropped in numbers a few years ago but are again - gradually  on the rise.

Batman - at your service!

*If I spot red cedar boards w damaged edges I ask for them.... at half price. Fits into the 'rescued' category, in my opinion.

Please link to J.R. Models and a Bathouse (1)

Photos GH

J.R. Models and a Bathouse (1)

Western Cedar and White Pine Barnboard

The list of birdhouses I will build before closing time (Nov. 30) is getting shorter. And for my last few efforts I was very pleased to find some lovely lumber waiting in the wings.

The western cedar (from 1" x 8" slats), looking very clean and rustic at the same time, will make sturdy J.R.-style houses*. (Link to J.R. Davidson for details.) And the pine barnboard, once sanded, will make a sturdy bathouse for someone to attach to a tall pole or under the roof edge of a barn or out-building.

Green roofs are drying. Stock for a bathouse wait for sanding.

I need to sand the many pieces, then scroll a bat!

Please link to Harrison Specials - Trending (7)

*I call my JR-style houses the GH model. Extensively modified.

Photos GH

Bathouses Come in Pairs

From White Pine Barnboard

Two bathouses can be built in 2 - 3 hours or less

I can produce two good-sized bathouses from one pine board (barnboard - 1" x 12" x 8ft.), usually in one easy working afternoon. I supply the plans below so that interested viewers who own a table saw and chop saw can give them a try.

Bats are indeed making a comeback in Wortley Village

Some builders add a piece of window screen to the inside to help bats climb into the cavity, but I cut grooves at 3/4 inch intervals (with table saw) on the inside before assembling all the pieces. I suspect wee bats can clamber into the cavity without this assistance but it does provide another talking point when someone shows interest.

Please link to Bats Making a Comeback?

Photos GH

Bats Making a Comeback?

Keep 'Em Comin'

"Two bathouses can be made from one eight-foot-long board"

At my last birdhouse sale, spread over two afternoons, I sold two bathouses the first day - all I had prepared - and received an order for one more. So I ran right home at day's end and made two more for the second afternoon. They both sold as well.

I was happy to hear about peoples' interest in bats and that folks were seeing more in their neighbourhoods at night (I am as well in Old South London), after we had noticed declines in the bat population over the last few years.

 "I cut grooves one inch apart on the surface of the backer board"

 "A scroll saw does a fine, quick job"

"I will paint the wee critters a bright colour asap"

But making a comeback? I sure hope so. Even though there is an 'ick' factor associated w the wee critters from the human point of view, there is a more important 'yikes' factor - as far as bugs are concerned.

Link to Bathouse in Barnboard

Photos GH

Bathouse in Barnboard

Bats vs Mosquitoes

 "I will have one of these on display this evening - Mountsfield PS"

I don't have to say much to interest people in putting a bathouse on their property. Some folks want one as soon as they see the above model at a birdhouse sale.... they just don't know where to put it. So, to help in this regard, I have an information sheet handy w instructions and insights from canadabathouses.ca. (E.g., put it in a sunny, unobstructed location; 12 - 15 feet high).

Admittedly, all of my birdhouses fill people with great excitement [insert laugh track here : ) ] but few get people talking at great length about mosquitoes and other pests like the bathouse.

"Heading for the moon"

Today and tomorrow I will have a table set up - w bathouses and 10 other types of birdhouses... and whatnots) at a sale at Mountsfield Public School in Old South London (from 4 - 7 PM). Pop by and say hello.

Link to another birdhouse made from barnboard - Barnboard Schoolhouse

Photos by GH