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Today in Mississippi I March 2014
Building an easy-clean birdhouse and running from skunks
he day began in rare form. Upon stepping outside just before daylight, I discovered a skunk in my carport—under which was my truck, a favorite coat and, within seconds of said discovery, one of my dogs. The situation quickly got completely out of hand. A too-familiar aroma was immediately attached to all entities involved other than me. Upon my spontaneous retreat, I concluded 1) my truck was unfit for travel, 2) my dog was unfit for a game of chase the ball and 3) my coat was unfit for wear. I would have to remain sequestered for a time. Back inside and safe behind closed doors, I put on a pot of coffee and watched a feeder just outside the kitchen window. Within minutes the sun was up and a huge concentration of birds was there, goldfinch for the most part. They were glorious and this day, a day that could have been considered glum if judged by its genesis, was transformed into one of beauty. Out farther in an open area, I saw a bluebird checking a new house I had just the day before fabricated and erect-
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ed. And that brings us to the thrust of this column. My old bluebird house, after 10 years of viable service, had succumbed to the elements. Even the post holding it had toppled a month or so back. The entire unit had to be replaced. I liked this old house and considered getting another like it, but minus the tiny entrance hole, there was no way to clean it each year. With that in mind I lay awake Mississippi a couple of Outdoors nights trying to by Tony Kinton figure a system that I could build with limited tools and far more limited skill. I arrived at what I felt would be the perfect solution. Let me be quick to say that my design is not likely the first of its kind to be conceived. And there are probably more workable approaches. But keep in mind I did say limited tools and limited skill. I had a circular saw and drill and
zero prior experience in building a birdhouse. But with some rough-cut cypress, I entered the project with enthusiasm. And a simple project it is. Follow: First determine the size of the house without the floor. Now cut the floor 5 or so inches longer than the house is deep, but narrow enough to fit inside the side walls. Then cut the side walls so that they fit flush on the outside of the floor— only shorter—and still reach the desired height. The ends come next and can be vaulted toward the top middle or can be a simple slant front to back. Cut these so that they fit resting on the floor and sit inside the walls. The roof, whether vaulted or slanted, must now be cut and should offer ample overhang. Assemble the primary house (box) first. Drill the entrance hole and perching peg hole. Now place the house onto the floor, being sure the back wall is flush on the outside with the floor. Also, take care to sand the floor and/or side walls so that they slide easily over the floor. Attach the back wall, which is resting on the floor and not behind it, to the floor with two small hinges. I used a scrap of piano hinge left over from a previous project and cut it to length with a hacksaw.
Two deck screws, at top and left, screwed through the side walls and into the floor toward the front of the house hold the house down. They can be removed easily for cleaning. Hinge the back wall, above, to the floor of the birdhouse so the entire house will swing back and off the floor.
You now have a birdhouse that can be lifted from the front and will swing back and out of the way on that back hinge. The floor is exposed and can be attached to the post with deck screws. When you flip the house back into place, it is a complete unit. Be advised, however, that you must contrive some type latching system so that wind doesn’t blow the house open. A nifty brass latch would look good, but I just ran a deck screw though the wall and into the floor near the front on each side. A simple reverse of the drill will back them out to allow access to the house for cleaning and maintenance. I do recommend sanding the outside, particularly the top, to afford a smooth surface that will better shed water than will rough-cut lumber. That’s it! A birdhouse that can be built with basic tools and a minimum of carpentry skills. It could be a pleasant project in the shop or storage shed or carport on a cold day or a hot day or a day when you must wait for the essence of skunk to dissipate. Tony Kinton has been an active outdoors writer for 30 years. His newest book, “Rambling Through Pleasant Memories,” is now available. Order from Amazon.com or: tonykinton.com