Okay, so the other day I decided I wanted to get into woodworking a bit. Nothing fancy, just something simple to start with. I figured a birdhouse and a bird feeder would be perfect! I’ve always loved watching birds in my backyard, so I thought, why not make something to attract even more?
First, I gathered some scrap wood I had lying around. I’m all about using what I’ve got, you know? I found some old planks from a previous project, and I figured they’d be perfect. Then, I dusted off my old toolbox – the one my grandpa gave me – and pulled out a saw, hammer, nails, and some sandpaper.
The Birdhouse
I started with the birdhouse. I sketched out a super basic design on a piece of paper. Just a simple box shape with a sloped roof and a hole for the entrance. Nothing too complicated, right?
I measured and cut the wood according to my rough sketch. Let me tell you, my sawing skills aren’t exactly top-notch. The lines weren’t perfectly straight, but hey, it’s rustic, right? I sanded down the rough edges to avoid any splinters, for both me and the birds!
Next, I nailed the pieces together. It took a bit of effort to get everything lined up, and I definitely bent a few nails in the process. But eventually, I had a sturdy little box. I drilled a hole for the entrance, making sure it was big enough for the birds I usually see around here, but not too big for squirrels to sneak in.
The Bird Feeder
The bird feeder was even easier. I basically made another box, but this time without a roof and with shorter sides. The idea was to create a simple tray to hold the birdseed.
I followed the same steps as with the birdhouse: measuring, cutting, sanding, and nailing. This time, though, I added a couple of small perches on the sides by nailing on some extra pieces of wood. I figured the birds would appreciate a place to stand while they eat.
Finally, I found some strong twine and attached it to both the birdhouse and the feeder so I could hang them from a tree branch. I filled the feeder with birdseed, stepped back, and admired my handiwork. They weren’t perfect, far from it, but I made them myself, and that felt pretty good!
I hung them up in my backyard, It took a few days, but finally, the first brave little birds showed up. Now, my backyard is a happy. Seeing them enjoy what I built? Totally worth the effort.
