birdhouses http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for birdhouses Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:50:43 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/birdhouses Mother Nature's Housing Crisis http://www.artwoo.com/article/mother-natures-housing-crisis http://www.artwoo.com/article/mother-natures-housing-crisis#comments Thu, 06 Jul 2006 16:27:11 +0000 decorative birdhousestypes of birdsmigrating birdsbird populationbird bathfeathered friendsbirdbaths http://www.artwoo.com/article/mother-natures-housing-crisis migrating birds across the country. More and more birdhouses are needed to enhance and aid wild birds in the continuing need for homes. Even tiny gardens can support several birdhouses for a variety of nesting birds. Where there is a birdhouse there should also be a or two. Birds love bubbling water and are very attracted to ponds and and fountains that make cheery noises.

Whether you have a wild garden or a finely manicured garden, a tiny garden or a huge garden, any garden attracts birds and butterflies. can become happy homes for our in an instant if it is in the right place and the right place for a birdhouse is in your yard.

Early spring is the best time to set up your new birdhouses although it's never too late to start. The you have locally will help you decide what sort of houses you need. Take a little time to study the local and make informed decisions based on who you want to move into the neighborhood. Your choices of birdbaths and birdhouses does not have to be fancy nor ornate just comfortable and clean. Don't forget to place them where local kitties can't reach.

Birdhouses, birdbaths and bird feeders all need to be cleaned regularly to maintain the health of your feathered renters so be sure to take that into consideration when making choices for your garden housing. While you are building your new garden habitat remember to leave some shallow dishes of water around for butterflies and frogs that might come to visit as well. A garden isn't complete until it has some friendly visitors to add color and sound to the environment. So remember to add birdhouses and birdbaths to your outdoor shopping list this summer. I'm trying to make a difference and help wild birds find a place they can call home. http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> Finding Niche Markets For Your Online Business http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-niche-markets-for-your-online-business http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-niche-markets-for-your-online-business#comments Wed, 05 Dec 2007 04:30:02 +0000 building birdhousesniche marketpay attentionloved birdspay per click campaignpersonal interestsfine tune http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-niche-markets-for-your-online-business niche market, make a list of your , hobbies, favorite pass times, etc. In other words, be honest about what rocks your boat? The most important aspect of finding the right niche begins with you, not with your potential customers. You, above all others, have to be passionate about your business. If you can't sell yourself on your idea, you will never sell it to anyone else. You have to believe in it, because at least in the beginning, no one else will.

If you have always or , you might look into starting a custom-made birdhouse business. You could offer to make birdhouses that match the color and architecture of the customer's home. It sounds like a great idea, and so far that's all it is.

Once you get an idea, you have several options to test it. Talk to people about it; ask if they would be interested in such a product. Your friends may quickly agree that it is a great idea, but would they pay for it, and how much? It is not enough to to the feedback you get from your friends and family. You should test your idea with strangers.

Start a PPC (Pay Per Click) campaign with pictures and prices of some prototypes you have built. At this point, your goal is not maximizing profit. You are simply testing the market. It is better to invest a little up front to find out more about a market than to build a business, and hope people will want to buy your product. Don't leave anything to chance test, test, and test more.

A somewhat slower, but effective method to test a market is to create a blog around it. Start blogging about your idea and pay attention to the feedback you receive. Your readers may embrace your idea, or reject it. If they don't accept the product as it is, they might recommend changes. The feedback should help you fine-tune the product. It is possible that your idea is only appealing to you. No matter what happens, at least you will find out what people think of your ideas before you invest a great deal of time and money. George Meszaros with Webene http://www.webene.com ]]> Birdies and Birdhouses http://www.artwoo.com/article/birdies-birdhouses http://www.artwoo.com/article/birdies-birdhouses#comments Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:35:01 +0000 birdfeedersbirdbathbad hair daysbabiesbearsmaking sure thatmust admit that http://www.artwoo.com/article/birdies-birdhouses birdbaths, and ! Here we go again. It seems just yesterday the bears were waking up and hunting for birdfeeders filled with their favorite BearFood. Suddenly here it is time for them to start stocking up for the long winter slumber. I have actually figured out the formula though, I simply make sure there is no food left in the feeders after dark. This has worked fabulously!!

I other than a little general maintenance consisting of cleaning the birdbath fountain and the pond, and the birdfeeders and birdhouses are in good repair, I have neglected my garden. My neighbor laughed at me yesterday when I told him I was "spring" cleaning. "Yeah in time for winter" he said. We both cringed. Winter can come very early here and we are enjoying the lengthy warm spell even if we have had no rain at all.

The chickadee are having the best time at the new bird feeder (courtesy of the bears). You can tell they are the babies because they all have "bad hair" days. For some reason the babies can't seem to control their feathers so they go all this way and that. They have a ton of fun zipping past me so close I think they will run me over, but they don't. They will sit quietly on the birdfeeder and watch me as long as I don't move too quickly. Mom and dad are always close and are usually sitting on the birdbath or the plum tree while the kids eat. They seem to have moved from the little birdhouse they started out in to a larger one in the back yard.

I haven't had as many migratory birds as usual at the bird feeders, but that might be because of a change in the bird seed mixture. I still can't find the one I used to get so now I am making my own by adding dried berries and cherries to the seed mix. The grosbeaks came back but didn't move in close so I don't get to watch their goofiness at the birdfeeders or the birdbath this season. I miss those noisy guys a lot. I do see the female that hatched here last year occasionally though so she might be staying close by.

Although this series is usually about birdies I want to add a few thoughts about the bears this season. If you live in bear country remember "a fed bear is a dead bear" and "garbage kills bears". Make sure you don't feed them at either your trash or your birdfeeders, this acclimates them to humans and makes them more apt to break into houses seeking groceries. Empty your birdfeeders at night or bring them inside. Moth balls make a great critter deterrent put them in old socks and tie to the lid of your trash cans. You will never have another dog, raccoon, coyote or bear spread the garbage around the yard. After working for over 20 years in an office, I finally decided to do what I want to do. I've traveled to many countries and finally settled down in N. California. I work from home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> July Birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/july-birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/july-birdies#comments Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:25:00 +0000 mom and dadbirdhousechickadeesbirdfeedersbird feedersbirdbathbirdhouses http://www.artwoo.com/article/july-birdies birdhouses as well as hung a few new ones. I cleaned out the pond and the fountain as well. I also discovered that the way to keep the bears out of the was to have them empty of goodies by the end of the day. This actually works pretty well. Except for the one cinnamon colored adolescent who wants to swing from the holder.

Last year I put up a decorative wooden birdhouse and had several pairs of checking it out as possible accommodations. This year a pair, whom I swear was the same ones as last year, checked it out and moved in. I was amazed and pleased. It has been so much fun getting up close and personal with the whole chickadee family. The birdhouse is just a few feet away from one of the fancy bird feeders and this became the lunch spot of choice.



I wasn't really sure about the whole thing until one day this little wooden bird house started chirping at me. Well not actually at me because the kids were very well trained, even from an early age, to be very quiet if mom or dad weren't around. The birdhouse, the birdbath fountain and the were all very busy locations as flew back and forth constantly to keep the little bird brains fed, boy can they eat! The kids got a variety of foods, some bird seed from me and an occasional bug from mom and dad. Mom was very tidy and every day she would sweep out the birdhouse.

As the kids got bigger, I think there are three, they also got louder and began doing the oddest thing. Every time I came back from somewhere and walked past the bird house it would hiss at me. Just one hiss that sounded a lot like a snake and would happen only if I had been gone and had just driven back up. I walked past the bird house many, many times in a normal day and everybody simply ignored me.



They moved out. I was hoping to watch the flying lessons but I think the little birdhouse just got too small for the family. I am watching for them, saw dad today. Eventually I hope to see the kids. Usually when birds that eat at my garden have children they bring them around to meet me. Experiences like this make all the hassle of cleaning out , washing out the birdbaths and filling the birdfeeders such a joy. Oops I hear daddy chickadee yelling about something, I must go intervene. After working for over 20 years in an office, I finally decided to do what I want to do. I've traveled to many countries and finally settled down in N. California. I work from home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> January Birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/january-birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/january-birdies#comments Fri, 09 Feb 2007 10:27:41 +0000 decorative birdhousesblack capped chickadeered breasted nuthatchmourning dovesflickerfeathered friendsbirdfeeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/january-birdies
The bird population is still low around here, so low in fact, that a fellow bird enthusiast asked me if I had stolen her crowd. I assured her that my bird houses were empty, even the fancy and my bird feeders weren't but I was starting to see and hear a few more around the yard. Even just this morning when the temperature was up to a balmy 15 degrees Fahrenheit (well just a few days ago -15 and lower greeted us with the sunrise) I heard some extra twitterings in the trees.

I can see out the front window that the chickadees have found the new birdfeeder I put up yesterday. I have two different birds that closely so resemble each other I find it interesting. The mountain and the look just like red-breasted nuthatch. The nuthatches are a tiny bit thinner (sleek) and have more of an insect eating bill. I have also seen the missing Donner Lake and 2 of the . Around here the cry of the dove is often mistaken for one of the owls (we have several). In addition I am seeing more Dark eyed (Oregon) Junco's. They are ground feeders so I make sure I drop seed under the bird feeder as I fill it. Easy enough to do I am not the tidiest of people.

Now is the time I search the catalogs and the internet for spring supplies. As always I will have to replace several of my favorite and birdhouses, due to winter damage (you know; wind, snow, bears, raccoons). A great place to find new ones has been birdbathsplus.com they have a great variety and reasonable prices. Sometimes I think my winter shopping trips are the only things that get me through the cold dark months. Around here I can't even set out my seeds to sprout until April we have such a short growing season. Stay warm and dry! After working for over 20 years in an office, I finally decided to do what I want to do. I've traveled to many countries and finally settled down in N. California. I work from home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> Bird House Kits Make Great Bird Houses http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-house-kits-make-great-bird-houses http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-house-kits-make-great-bird-houses#comments Tue, 16 Jan 2007 08:27:08 +0000 type birdstypes of birdsbird house kitsweatherbird seedsholesbird houses http://www.artwoo.com/article/bird-house-kits-make-great-bird-houses bird houses that are already made and there are which could be easily assembled on your own. However, if you are adept to working on crafts, you could easily create one simply from any materials that are available around your house.

If you are in any way planning to use a bird house kit, the primary thing to consider is just how you are to use a bird house kit. Do you think the bird house is to be used as a fixture in your own yard? Or do you prefer the bird house to be portable? Do you have a good idea on the specific bird types that you plan to attract? If so, you should therefore have an advanced plan as to what types of or feeds to use.

There are also many types of bird house kits that cater to any . There are those bird house kits that are created for single . There are also others that are for a lot of birds. There are bird house kits that could be hung while there are also others which could be mounted on a post or a fence.



The fact of the matter is that giving yourself appropriate time and effort in planning way ahead will eventually make your bird house making experience a lot satisfying. However, if you are planning to buy a kit that is ready to be assembled, the wood to be used will then be already cut and measured.



Also included in the kits are the hardware. The for the bird house are also pre-cut. Another good thing is that the holes for mounting it are also pre-prepared.

These kits are also made generally from wood cedar as this type is resistant to .

Take note that the bird house kits surfaces are either primed or rough, ready to have a coat paint finish. The good thing about this is that painting it is extremely fun. There are colors you could choose wherein you could go for simple or those that easily attract birds -- like a paint job that is a lot fancier.

Believe it or not, these kits could also be made as easily by kids. Therefore, building one could be a very interesting project which kids could easily finish in one session. This also works for cub scout groups or for your grand children. You could even make them and give them out as presents during Christmas!



What you need are basically the following things: (take note that this is usually available in lumber yards or in your local home improvement shops) boards that measure 1X 6, boards that measure 1 X 8, one box of five penny nails, exterior paint (either brown, white, green) that is preferable made of latex for the purpose of making it easy to wash using water, a disposable cheap paintbrush for every bird house kit, a wire single heavy strand, hammers for kids (the less than three dollars kind) for those children who may have forgotten theirs.

All in all, making a bird house is easy as long as you put your mind to it. The important thing of course is for you to enjoy what you are doing and the rest is simply a walk in the park. Nothing really beats seeing your finished project hanging on a tree somewhere with lovely birds nesting innocently on your creation. It brings unquestionable pride for you especially for anyone -- especially kids -- who may have a part on the making whether you used a pre-made bird house kit or made one from scratch. Lee Dobbins writes for http://birdhouses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about bird houses bird house kits. ]]> Designing A Bird House http://www.artwoo.com/article/designing-a-bird-house http://www.artwoo.com/article/designing-a-bird-house#comments Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:14:59 +0000 target birdgregarious creaturestype of birdsbird housessparrowspredatorsbird enthusiasts http://www.artwoo.com/article/designing-a-bird-house bird enthusiasts not only enjoy the pleasure of bird-watching, which normally means observing birds quietly from a distance, they also extend this hobby to designing and building to attract them right into their own garden or backyard. Designing a bird house does not have to cost the earth and for anyone who enjoys woodworking and do-it-yourself activity it is a perfect way to spark your creativity.

There are a variety of ready-made kits for the novice bird house hobbyists to get you started but if you enjoy a challenge, constructing a bird house would require some initial design planning, then it is just a matter of assembling pieces of wood and materials that can be easily sourced from any hardware stores together, dusting off and putting your garage power tools to good use!

To get some new ideas or inspiration, there are a host of websites on the internet that offer invaluable insight into the process of bird house design and construction. Many books and publications house construction for a specific species such as , titmice, swallows and nuthatches which often take advantage of a readily available nesting box or custom-made bird house.

Understanding the for which the bird houses are built is important when designing any bird house. The design of your bird house often does depend on a range of factors such as the size of the bird, their nesting behaviour (for example sparrows are and like living in groups, therefore a bird house that can accommodate at least 3 mating pairs would be ideal), whether your bird house is predator-proof (for example the bird needs to feel safe roosting or nesting in your robust bird house with the entrance hole small enough to allow the bird through but too small for any to cause any trouble) and whether your bird house is located at a high enough location to fend off predators such as bigger birds, cats or dogs with ideal nesting conditions (for example the bird house is not in direct sunlight which could cause overheating to offspring and provides shelter from the rain.)

Most birds would choose a bird house that resembles a tree cavity, a place where the conditions are dry and relatively warm, free from dust or dampness and most importantly a place where predators cannot easily reach. Just like in their natural environment, use natural nesting materials such as coconut fibres, twigs and dry grass in your bird house to encourage mating. Weather proof the bird house with bird friendly non-toxic water-proof paint and ensure there are no loose bits that may come apart due to harsher weather conditions.

Building a bird house can be a family activity enjoyed by the young and old. Share your ideas with other budding bird house builders either through online forums, craft fairs or bird house suppliers. Not only is it a rewarding experience to design and create a bird house from scratch, the ultimate compliment will be when you find a contented mating pair nesting in it. For more great articles on Bird Houses please visit http://birdhouses.articlebee.net ]]> How To Make Gourd Bird Houses In 9 Easy Steps http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-gourd-bird-houses-in-9-easy-steps http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-gourd-bird-houses-in-9-easy-steps#comments Mon, 08 Jan 2007 16:27:09 +0000 gourdgourdsbird housesfertilizerbirdsgarden spaceseed packet http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-make-gourd-bird-houses-in-9-easy-steps Bird houses can be a great way to attract to your yard and if you want a unique natural look, the bird houses may be the way to go. The first thing that comes into mind when it comes to creating bird houses is to find the perfect gourd. This can surely help in saving effort and money.

can be easily found or grown in the garden. Gourds are distinctly identified by their eye-catching colors and markings.

They can even be said to resemble alien forms. This happens especially during the late summer and they can be very entertaining to the eyes.

Gourds will normally be something that have to be intentionally grown. To grow one, certain steps have to be taken and regular tending must be done. Apply in the soil where you plan to plant the gourd. For a plant grown in the space of the garden, a half dozen seeds should be placed. Then follow properly the directions in the . Thereafter, the plant should be regularly watered and the fertilizer reapplied every month. For creating bird houses, a large gourd has to be cultivated. This type normally takes 130 days to mature.

Turning the Gourd into a Bird House

Once you have the right gourd at hand, it can be easily crafted to make a good bird house that you can put in your yard or to attract the birds.

Working with the gourd is relatively easy. It is just like working with the wood. However, doing so will require some tasks to be fulfilled. These steps are necessary to make a bird house successfully out of the gourd.

1. Put hot water with soap in a pail. Get the gourds and soak them. When at least 30 minutes have passed, take out the gourd and clean it.

2. Cleaning the gourd will require the use of a scrub. Do this until the gourd is entirely clean. Just take into account the possibility of discolorations in the gourd. This will not normally take off so do not fret over the stains.

Dry the gourds after cleaning.

3. Select the dried gourds that have the right length for your bird house. a diameter of 8 to 14 inches will be proper enough.

4. Make sure that the walls of the gourds are properly measured so as to make it most comfortable for the birds. It should be at least quarter of an inch thick so as not to make the bird house too warm.

5. Next detail to work on is the hole for the birds to enter. Most of the gourd bird houses are created for martin birds. A hole of two and a half inch are normally sufficient for the martins to enter into.

Drill a hole also at the bottom of the cage for the drainage system.

6. Clean out the insides of the gourd. Scrape out the seeds inside. You can also pour water inside to make sure that the dusts created by drilling are removed.

7. Preserving the gourd is also necessary. Purchase copper sulfate from hardware shops and follow the instructions on how to prepare the mixture. Soak the gourd in the preparation for 15 minutes and let it dry.

Make sure your hands are properly protected with gloves in preparing the mixture.

8. Paint the exteriors of the gourd house. White house paint is normally used to make the bird house to easily attract the birds. Just ensure that no drain holes are left unclogged.

9. Then, make a hole on the top neck of the gourd. This is to give way for the wire that will be used to hang the bird house.



Being closer to the birds is not a difficult task. Again, you only need the gourd at hand and some handy skills. Build a gourd bird house and the birds will come to you. Lee Dobbins writes for http://birdhouses.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about making and hanging bird houses as well as attracting birds to your garden. ]]> May and June Birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/may-and-june-birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/may-and-june-birdies#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:22:14 +0000 adorable babiesgarden fountainswooden spoonbeach weathergarden visitorsvacuum cleanerbirdfeeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/may-and-june-birdies birdfeeders with the new mix and what does it do? It snows. We had 4 beautiful days. Warm and sunny in fact, wait don't pack the powder pants it's only May and now the robin is sitting out there all poofed up looking grumpy with snow on his beak. I have an agreement with my that I will make sure they get fed during the snowy seasons and they make sure I know the weather forecast. I can't keep seed in the birdfeeders if it's going to be a big storm, you would think they were part . The birdbath and the garden fountain both froze. It's always a good idea to have a water heater and to take the fountain pump in doors if you are going to have very cold weather.

So spring lasted 4 days and winter returned. I still have to bring the birdfeeders in every night to keep them from becoming "bear" feeders. This procedure has done well for me I didn't lose a single birdfeeder to the bears last year. However I had 2 absolutely adorable visitors that got a hold of one just a few days ago. I heard a noise on the porch and very carefully opened the door. There are 2 new cubs about 40 pounds apiece (mom's around the corner at about 350 pounds) snacking on the birdfeeder I forgot to bring in. They are so cute it's easy to see why people fall in love, however "a fed bear is a dead bear" so I had to go get a pot and a , open the door making all sorts of noise and yelling "bad bear" at those . It broke my heart but they haven't been back so I am hoping they will not become nuisance bears. They like the birdfeeders as much as the birds do.

Now June has arrived and my yard is full of beautiful birdhouses, brand new and some wonderful new birdfeeders. My family finally clued into the fact that I wanted new and beautiful birdhouse accessories for my amazing collection of birds. The Robins and Junkos are loving their new platform bird feeder but the have to kick the squirrel off every so often, sometimes they let him stay for a few minutes. I had one birdfeeder that didn't have a strong enough chain to hang from and I found the whole thing 15 feet up in a pine tree where the big Douglas squirrel had taken it.

The new ornamental birdhouses already have tenants for this year. Several mountain chickadee families have moved right in. I believe that they may very well be the children of last year's tenants. Around here they are one of the few birds that stay all winter. I now have a garden fountain as well as a new birdbath. This way everyone stopped competing with the dog who demanded the pond as her very own swimming hole. What's funny about this is the pond is about 3 feet long, 1 foot wide and the dog weighs 70 pounds. Once she is in it there is no room for anyone else.

The amazing grosbeak families have returned I really love their bright colors and loud whistles. They only visit the birdfeeders and the garden fountains as they tend to nest 400 feet up in the tallest pine and fir trees. You should hear them complain when I don't fill up the feeders early enough. The bird food crisis from last year is over, for now. I have found another brand of songbird mix that everyone loves (too much). They just mob the birdfeeders and wolf down the food. The only thing good about feeding the mix they don't like to eat is that they don't eat as much and it is easier on my budget.After working for over 20 years in an office, I finally decided to do what I want to do. I've traveled to many countries and finally settled down in N. California. I work from home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com]]> Garden Bird Houses - Some Tips to Attract the Birds and Keep Them Safe http://www.artwoo.com/article/garden-bird-houses-some-tips-to-attract-the-birds-and-keep-them-safe http://www.artwoo.com/article/garden-bird-houses-some-tips-to-attract-the-birds-and-keep-them-safe#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:15:21 +0000 squirrel proof bird feederwild flower seedsheated bird bathwater containersbird bathswild birdswater pans http://www.artwoo.com/article/garden-bird-houses-some-tips-to-attract-the-birds-and-keep-them-safe wild birds to your garden and hopefully to set up home in your garden bird house. Providing food and a safe place to eat is one of the easiest and most effective ways. This is particularly important during the winter months when there may be lack of their natural food.
Set up feeding stations designed for the different species you would like to see in your garden.

For finches place specially designed thistle feeders that hold the small thistle feeds that they love. Other speciality bird feeders include hummingbird feeders to hold nectar, woodpecker feeders and jay feeders. Tube feeders are designed to prevent seeds spilling on the ground and keep the seeds dry. You could also set up a window feeder to see the birds from the comfort of your room.

Always check the food regularly to make sure it is dry and free from mold and clean up around the feeder to deter wasps, ants and other predators. If squirrels are a problem in your garden be sure to purchase a .

Provide Fresh Water for the Birds

Wild birds need a source of fresh water for both drinking and bathing. You could provide this with or . Place at various levels as some birds prefer ground level, others will be attracted to water placed at a higher level. Place any water sources away from bird feeders as birds prefer a quiet place for bathing and preening. Attract the birds to your water source with a water dripper placed in the bird bath or a mister in the trees. The gentle sounds of running water will attract the birds and many birds enjoy a bath below the dripper or in a mister as it simulates raindrops on their feathers.

During the winter months a or one fitted with a de-icer will ensure the water is always at the right temperature and available for the birds.

Provide a Natural Environment

Let a part of your garden grow wild and scatter through the area to provide a natural environment for the birds. hang bird feeders from trees or posts in this area. This will enhance the sense of security for the birds.

Your bird house must be a safe place for birds to nest and bring up their young. Here are some tips for making your bird house proof from squirrels, yellow jackets, snakes, cats, wasps, ants and other invasive birds.

Perches

There is no need to have any perches in your bird house. The nesting birds do not need them and they only provide a means for predators to gain entrance. many bird houses come with a perch under the entrance hole. Remove it!

Baffles

A bird house mounted on a pole can have baffles fitted to prevent predators from climbing the pole and gaining entrance to the bird house. A metal baffle is preferable as it cannot be chewed. A bird house mounted on a tree can also have baffles attached to the tree trunk.

Metal plates

A metal plate fitted with a small entrance hole can be placed over the original hole on the bird house. This will prevent predators from enlarging the hole to gain entrance.

Entrance Hole

use a bird house with a small entrance hole that is just large enough for the species of bird you wish to attract. A larger hole will allow invading birds to gain entrance and eject the baby birds inside.

Ants Nests

Regularly check around the bird house (and bird feeders if you have them) for ants nests. Deal with them quickly using a method that is not harmful to wild birds.

Metal Poles

For bird houses mounted on metal poles slip a large PVC pipe over the pole before mounting the bird house. This will deter squirrels, snakes and raccoons from climbing up to the bird house. You could also smear vegetable oil on the pipe.

Cats

Fit your cat with a collar with a bell to prevent her sneaking up on the birds.For more information on attracting birds to your garden and some good deals on garden bird houses check out Garden Bird Houses or Blue Bird Houses]]> Danger In The Garden http://www.artwoo.com/article/danger-in-the-garden http://www.artwoo.com/article/danger-in-the-garden#comments Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:27:19 +0000 bird feedersbirdbath fountaindecorative birdhousesbird housespredatory birdsbirds chirpingbirds show http://www.artwoo.com/article/danger-in-the-garden decorative birdhouses I have in the yard. The winter and year round residents don't seem to nest in the too much but rather in the trees. They do however, come down to the wooden and garden I keep ready for them. I find every one has their own personality with some being braver than others. The chickadees seem to be the first line of defense, they have a very specific warning call. If I am in the house and I hear it I go out expecting to chase the neighbor's cat away. Of course they yell at me sometimes if I get to close but mostly they put up with me.

In setting up my bird friendly garden I tried to think of all the obvious dangers to my visiting friends. The bird feeders are out in the open where the cats have no where to hide but close enough to the trees so that they can quickly flee if show up.

The garden birdbath fountain is set up the same way as the wooden bird feeders with care to not give kitties a place to hide. It is hard to keep the bird feeders close enough to trees and yet out of the reach of hungry squirrels it's a bit of a juggling job.

The front windows seem to be the biggest problem. According to the experts birds can't recognize glass and fly toward the refection thinking it's real. The front windows get a couple each year mostly they just bang their heads, swear and fly off, though occasionally there is a fatality. Some say to paste the silhouettes of predators, but then they wouldn't be relaxed enough to eat at the bird feeders or play in the birdbath fountain so I hang wind chimes along the front and they avoid the windows. Remember to watch for various dangers when designing your visitor friendly garden. After working for over 20 years in an office, I decided to work at home and sell something I really like. To me there is nothing like the sound of in the morning. So after lots of pondering I chose to help them out and provide them with their own home at http://www.birdbathplus.com/ ]]> Solitary Robin http://www.artwoo.com/article/solitary-robin http://www.artwoo.com/article/solitary-robin#comments Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:27:15 +0000 birdbath fountainbird feedersornamental birdbirdfeedersraucousabsolute favoritesbait store http://www.artwoo.com/article/solitary-robin birdbath fountains. But for some reason he seems to be all alone still. He doesn't socialize much with the others but hangs around for meals and swimming in the birdbath fountain. I occasionally go to the and buy him worms, these I put in the shade with a little dirt in a dish with sides (so they can't escape). He thinks these are a wonderful treat.

Have you ever listened to a Stellar's Jay? I know they can be loud and but take the time to listen when they are talking to themselves. They chirrup and twitter and sing the sweetest little songs sort of under their breath and not very loud, it's quite pleasant.

The jays can be such bullies, they are forever chasing everyone else away from the wooden and the garden birdbath fountain. I have found that I can distract them with peanuts (their ) while everyone else is eating at the ornamental . The jays take a peanut fly somewhere hide the peanut and come back for more. Then they have to go and remember where they put their stash. This keeps them busy for hours and out of the way.

One thing they love to do is set the decorative bird feeders spinning so that seed goes flying out all over the yard. I think they have an agreement with the doves to make sure there is enough seed on the ground for them. This also makes it easier for the other jays and they don't have to fight over a perch on the birdfeeder. It's really pretty funny to watch what they are up to at any given moment. After working for over 20 years in an office, I decided to work at home and sell something I really like. To me there is nothing like the sound of birds chirping in the morning. So after lots of pondering I chose to help them out and provide them with their own home at http://www.birdbathplus.com/ ]]> Start Bird Watching From Your Backyard http://www.artwoo.com/article/start-bird-watching-from-your-backyard http://www.artwoo.com/article/start-bird-watching-from-your-backyard#comments Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:25:00 +0000 species of birdswatching birdsbird watchingeggsweatherbirdhousesabandon http://www.artwoo.com/article/start-bird-watching-from-your-backyard weather, in the city or in the countryside, there will be birds nearby, even if you can't see them, you'll probably hear them,.

In North America alone there are 835 that will spend at least part of the year there. Birding is reported to be one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities all around the world, and it is your choice to where you go and watch them. Right now more than 70 million Americans enjoy feeding and from there backyard.

The easiest way to get started in is to bring the birds to your back yard, this allows you to see them up close. Some ways you can attract birds into your garden include: Proper bird feeding all year round. Growing specialized plants in your backyard to attract them. Provide nesting sites or a . Provide them with water either through a bird bath or providing water specially in extreme weathers.

Once you have attracted the birds you could get involved sketching them ot trying to catch that perfect picture, or you could just sit back and enjoy bird songs.

Some of the basic tips for bird watching are:

Try to observe the birds so they don't know you are there. Move slowly, make as little noise as possible, and keep your distance.

Going too close to a nest or repeatedly scaring a bird off its nest can cause the parents to their nest leaving the vulnerable to predators. On no account try to touch the eggs or the young birds as this can also cause the parents to abandon the eggs or chicks.

If you follow these simple tips birds will be attracted to your backyard and will keep coming back year after year. Gavin Dye is author and webmaster at http://www.birding-online.com where you can learn all about bird watching. ]]> Sizzling Temperatures http://www.artwoo.com/article/sizzling-temperatures http://www.artwoo.com/article/sizzling-temperatures#comments Mon, 14 Aug 2006 08:27:17 +0000 birdbath fountaingarden fountainswater fountainsyard fountainsbird bathsgarden fountainbaby birds http://www.artwoo.com/article/sizzling-temperatures birdbath fountain, the was over flowing and the pond was full of puppies. Birds and wildlife suffer dreadfully from the heat and having bird bath fountains, birdbaths and ponds is a huge help to our visiting friends.

Around here it's fledgling season and the babies are learning to fly. Well, trying to learn how to fly, but they hop around real well. I had a whole flock of baby gross beaks perched on the fence taking a shower in the sprinklers. They haven't quite figured out the pond but they are loving the birdbath fountain. Of course with the puppies in the pond there isn't much room even for . When the heat is on outdoors it's a big help to keep the and birdbaths running on high, even better put a little ice in the water to help them cool down. The babies still don't quite have what it takes to keep themselves cool.

Make sure you clean out the fountains and birdbaths regularly. In this heat they can get very dirty quickly and can get deadly as well. You also want to make sure you aren't raising a bumper crop of mosquitoes either. Make sure there are ways for clumsy babies to get up out of the water, a little pile of rocks or a ramp helps. It is especially sad to see a drowned baby in the water fountain. I prefer birdbath with moving water than just simple . The seem to stay cleaner and the water cooler because of the movement. They make such a lovely sound as well.

In this heat it seems a little easier for the birds to share diseases. We have been having problems with salmonella here. Clean everything well with a little chlorine bleach in the wash water, then rinse thoroughly. When they move out of their rental birdhouses give those a good scrubbing as well then set in the sun to dry and remember to wear gloves and wash your hands well. After working for over 20 years in an office, I decided to work at home and sell something I really like. To me there is nothing like the sound of birds chirping in the morning. So after lots of pondering I chose to help them out and provide them with their own home at http://www.birdbathplus.com/ ]]> Is Spring Here? http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-spring-here http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-spring-here#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 04:55:03 +0000 birdfeedersbirdbathsguessweatherice skatesbirdhousesbird feeders http://www.artwoo.com/article/is-spring-here
I have a wooden bird feeder on a pole and it literally had three feet of snow on its roof. This robin always seems to bring the first major snow storm of the New Year. He doesn't like the but he will eat at the platform birdfeeder.

I haven't seen him since the storm, but I am fairly sure he is still around, in fact now that I think about it, he yelled at me tonight as I came home from work, better remember to fill the feeders.



Remember the cartoon where the little bird "Woodstock" on his frozen bird bath? It looked just like that around here when the power went out for a few days and the birdbath froze solid. Does anyone know why birdie feet don't freeze? Anyway, I that my long spell with no garden visitors is finally over, even if spring is here in theory only, many of my regulars are back.



You know that whole thing about being able to tell the by animal behavior. Well these guys are terrific at predicting storms, several hours to 1 day prior to a major storm they start clamoring for more food in the . They can really be extremely demanding. Even to knocking on the front door or staring in the front window if they don't have enough food. Then about an hour before the storm breaks, they disappear completely and everything is silent. Not a bird to be found in , or even in the bird houses. They just go. Then depending on the type of storm they might come back to eat during the day or they may just hole up until it passes.



This is the time of year when supplementing their wild food with birdfeeders full of seed or suet, peanut butter or fresh fruit for the orioles, is a must. Depending on where you live there are definitely less resources available and they need all the help we are willing to give them. Since most everything here is completely buried in snow, it's a must. Especially since the tiny birds are getting ready to lay some eggs for the new crop of adorable babies. I can't wait for spring to really be here. After working for over 20 years in an office, I finally decided to do what I want to do. I've traveled to many countries and finally settled down in N. California. I work from home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> April Birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/april-birdies http://www.artwoo.com/article/april-birdies#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:35:02 +0000 bird feedersgrey watersong birdslandscape plantsgarden water fountainfresh watermy favorite http://www.artwoo.com/article/april-birdies bird feeders, at least to bird feeders. The youngest pair of evening grosbeaks were the first to return. I find this interesting because they were the last to leave by several weeks. They brought a friend whom I have never seen before, a variegated thrush. A few days later the rest of the grosbeak flock landed. They are still some of my favorite birds with their bright colors and high pitched whistles. Some of them will even talk back to me if I get the notes right.

Unfortunately along with the come the darn bears so in order to save my beautiful bird feeders from destruction I must bring them in at night. Friday the dogs announced the first influx of bears I ran out and harvested the wooden bird feeders but left one of the less expensive ones out as an experiment. Yep, next day it had bear all over it. Well not really but it had been grabbed and tweaked just enough so that the evidence of large varmint was recognizable. They can do so much damage to the bird feeders it can cost me a fortune to replace them all.



I am still expecting more snow (seems like it snows forever up here) we really only had 2 big storms this year. It might be time to worry about drought conditions again. Wherever you can use to irrigate , this really helps conserve. Grey water is the stuff that comes from showers, washing dishes and laundry. If you use a good biodegradable soap it does no damage what ever to the plants or the water table. Make sure it's legal in your neighborhood, if it isn't them speak up and get it legal! There is only so much and we need to be wise.



Time to get out the , check the pump and scrub the bowl real good. Then the bird bath needs restoring. Until then the pond is almost up and running, well it has fresh water which is a start for me. I think I am going to tell my friends that I want some new ornamental birdhouses for my yard and maybe a few of those fun wooden bird feeders too. I only lost 6 to the bears last fall. After working for over 20 years in an office, I finally decided to do what I want to do. I've traveled to many countries and finally settled down in N. California. I work from home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> Fledglings http://www.artwoo.com/article/fledglings http://www.artwoo.com/article/fledglings#comments Thu, 24 Aug 2006 08:27:26 +0000 varnet sunglassesdecorative birdhousesbirdbathcolorful babiesscritchwater fountainwooden bird houses http://www.artwoo.com/article/fledglings decorative birdhouses are glad that horrible hot streak has cooled down, I know I am. It is fledgling season around here. This might be my favorite part of the summer. The garden fountain is full of just learning how to swim and fly. I find it interesting that they seem to be larger than their parents.

The baby Stellar's Jays are hysterical at the bird house feeders and they keep falling into the . For some reason their little topknots don't work yet and I laugh at them for having bad hair (feather) days. It really is the only way I can tell this year's crop of babies from the adults.

I also have a huge flock of evening gross beaks that call my yard home. They don't live in any of the because they like to live 200 ft up in the tops of the local conifers. But they feed at the decorative feeders 6 or 7 at a time and swim in the garden fountain and birdbath. The dads are beautifully colored with white, grey, black and touches of bright yellow. They have a chevron of bright yellow over their eyes which make them look like they are wearing . They compete with the Stellar's jays for food at all the decorative bird feeders and for water at the birdbath and the pond. The ladies aren't nearly as pretty but they are all big clowns and love attention.

I went to drive off the other day, when I heard a , scritch, scritch on the roof of my truck. I realized it was one of the babies, suddenly it slid down my windshield and rested on a wiper pecking at the window. I knew he wasn't too well versed in flying skills yet so I didn't want to just drive off. I got out to convince him he needed to move over to the bird house feeder, the fence or maybe the birdbath water fountain. He almost got on to my hand but changed his mind and hopped over to the fence. I got to drive off laughing at his antics. After working for over 20 years in an office, I decided to work at home and sell something I really like. To me there is nothing like the sound of birds chirping in the morning. So after lots of pondering I chose to help them out and provide them with their own home at http://www.birdbathplus.com ]]> How To Find Good Woodworking Instructions http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-good-woodworking-instructions http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-good-woodworking-instructions#comments Fri, 16 Feb 2007 20:27:03 +0000 woodworking planswoodworking patternwoodworking projectbirdhousesstorage drawerscaptains bedbed frame http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-good-woodworking-instructions woodworking project. Maybe you're thinking of adding a cabinet in your bathroom, or a new bed-frame that will score you points with the wife, maybe even give you a free pass for a Sunday off for football only. Well, to be honest you won't get far without some sort of before you begin your project. It's not simple to build a bookshelf, but with a blue print or pattern you'll soon be looking like a pro, which means your Sunday of freedom will come to be.

One thing that's great about the time that we live in is how available information is with the Internet, and woodworking plans are no exception. The best plans will tell you exactly what materials you'll need, both the type and the quantity, as well as will give you an approximation of how long the project should take.

It will also let you know if you're taking on too much at this point in your skill set. Unfortunately, even though it looks great, you just might not be ready for a fancy curvy cabinet with many details, but hey, everyone's got to start somewhere, even if it is a birdhouse. You may actually find that you enjoy making .

It's important to know when making your plans what hardware and accessories you'll need. A good plan will let you know for example what hinges or knobs you'll need for your cabinet, how many of each, etc. It will give you a run down of the best materials to use, as well as where you can get them.

Next you'll want a list of tools, this way you can be sure to have everything you need available before you get started. Nothing is worse than to lose the momentum on a job because you have to run out for a new tool that you need. Worse yet, not even knowing which tool that you need is enough to make most people give up all together.

Another great part about using a is that all of your measurements right there. For instance when you're making the captain's bed with bottom , you won't need to calculate or worse -- guess, the width the drawers need to be in so that they fit three across. The tedious calculating has been done for you. Better yet, the plans author has most likely done this project many times, so they know from experience.

It's usually pretty easy to understand the plans that you get. If it's not, then just don't use those plans plain and simple. Most will account for language barriers, using different languages, as well as good illustrations or pictures that the building can refer to.

You won't need a master's degree in gluing and hammering to comprehend how these instructions work. If you've ever put one of those "some assembly required" toys together, then you'll be pleasantly surprised that following woodworking plans is in fact easier! Greg Hansward writes articles mostly for http://www.insidewoodworking.com , an online publication on the topic of furniture projects and machinery. You can find his writings over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com/projectsplanspatterns/index.html and various other sources for woodworking plans tips ]]> Where Have The Birds Gone? http://www.artwoo.com/article/where-have-the-birds-gone http://www.artwoo.com/article/where-have-the-birds-gone#comments Sun, 10 Dec 2006 08:27:53 +0000 predatory birdsdecorative birdhousesred tailed hawkbirdfeedersmourning dovesflickeroh my goodness http://www.artwoo.com/article/where-have-the-birds-gone Oh my goodness, after all my begging for new I need to take the Christmas Tree outside and plant it in the snow fully stocked with some of the most beautiful housing for my garden residents and visitors. The only problem is all my birds have disappeared and I don't know where they went. I have filled the ornamental with the most tempting bird food. They stay full, no one visits, and it's so lonely.

I can hear them though, rather distant, talking to each other, finding the other areas of food in the neighborhood. The last time this happened we had a move in so no one felt safe. Eventually she left and everyone came back. But I have no indication of and no one around has cats, I miss my birdies.

The raccoons have wandered off and the bears have finally gone into some sort of hibernation, so I can leave the birdfeeders out without worrying about the marauders. I guess it's time to really work on attracting the little ones back again. Generally this time of year I have a variety of chickadees, Junkos, nuthatches, s, a couple of, and woodpeckers. But right now I have no one. I can hear the flicker and the Junkos. I think the late season snow has kept enough natural food around so they don't need me yet. I guess that's really a good thing, but I miss them.

As I write I suddenly remember an incident last summer. A baby owl landed on my neighbor's railing, sat there looking at us for awhile and then fluttered off. He or his siblings just might be the reason for the missing birds. We have fabulous wildlife habitat right here and I think it is entirely possible that the balance has shifted slightly.

Remember, when attempting to supplement a habitat that you keep the birdfeeders in safe places. Not too exposed, not to high or too low, protected but not crowded. When feeding birds with predatory birds around make sure there is tree cover over the feeders so that the visual field is interrupted and an owl or a hawk can't easily see the potential victim from a distance. It is a good idea to make sure the heated birdbath is also safe from overhead predators.

Okay so I am taking my brand new decorative birdfeeders, filling them with their favorite foods and waiting for my friends to return. Hope your yard is teeming with winter friends, Happy New Year. After working for over 20 years in an office, I know what good customer service means. I pride myself in providing the best customer service to all my customers. So now I go by my rules and work at home selling what our feathered friends need; shelter and a place to eat. http://www.birdbathplus.com/ ]]> Home Décor Ideas For Boys http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-decor-ideas-for-boys http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-decor-ideas-for-boys#comments Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:36:27 +0000 lions and tigersgeneric ideasbutterfly netwallpaper storewildlife animalscountless ideascreative sense http://www.artwoo.com/article/home-decor-ideas-for-boys creative sense of your children. Get rid of those basic and such as decorative cars. Why not go beyond the typical decorative thoughts and splurge your creativity in decorating your boy's room.

There are on how to do it. Choose ideas that will suit to your boy's taste and personality. It is always an addictive to hang out in a room with fascinating atmosphere.

As parents, you know for sure what the favorite animals of your children are. These can vary from big animals to small creatures. Out your boy's favorite animal, why not start a home décor idea to spice up his room? These options can be based on cat, dogs, birds, snakes and more. Fill the rooms with stuffed animals and scatter it randomly in the room. You may as well hang some photos that will be relevant to the animal's theme. It is also a great idea to complement it with the room accessories. If you opt for a theme of snake, you may use a bed sheet and pillow covers with a color similar to snake. You may also buy some stuff such as mugs and mirrors with an accent on a cobra face. This will really give the room of the boys an ambience of their favorite animal.

Another great idea for a home décor for boys' room is safari theme. These are colorful and great way to encourage children to appreciate nature and wildlife. This is an easy thing to do. You may start to cover the walls with animal wall paper which you can purchase in any . Choose pillows and bed covers with a leopard print designs. Then buy some stuffed such as . Decorate it in the corner of the rooms. Add it up with some and straw hat on the walls.

For camp lover children, you may opt for rustic cabin. This idea will encourage children to enjoy more active and outdoor activities. For this theme, you can add any home décor items that will relate to outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, hiking and others. The wallpaper can be made of birdhouses, bears and fish with different boarders. You can create also a bed with a tent cover to add more outdoor life in the room.

There are rare children also the show keen interest to cars at the early age. It is a great way to develop their interest by setting up a race cars room. There are countless ideas with this. You may start with theme of Formula 1. So decorate the room with checkered flags of red and white. The floor can be painted with a race design. Buy big posters of wars and frame it.

You will never be run out of ideas to decorate the rooms of your boys. All you needs is to think out of the box and take it from there. Materials are always easy to find as long as you have the concrete idea in your mind.Home Decorating Ideas]]>