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Imax · 19-06-2010 18:06:06

As part of my series in gardening for birds i will have a look at providing nesting logs in your garden.

I now make my own logs from hardwood as they last longer than the sisal ones.

here is how you make one.

What you need:

Log with about 20cm thick and 30 to 40 cm long.
Dood Drills - I use a 24mm extra lenght and a 34mm
Saw Dril - 44mm for smaller bird entry hole and 52mm for larger hole
Chisels
Hammer
Electric Drill
Jig saw
2mm Drill (metal & wood)
40 to 50 cm metal wire (0.5 to 1 mm thick)
wood sealer
Screws 0.5mm by 40mm
piece of pine wood.

Last edited by Imax (19-06-2010 19:22:29)

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Imax · 19-06-2010 18:24:34

The log we are making is a top drill log, so we will hollow out the log from the top.

use the 34mm wood drill to drill holes as deep as possible from the top slightly overlapping the holes. keep about 1,2 to 2 cm edge around the log and try to follow the contour of the log to ensure that you do not make holes in the side. Once you have drilled as much as you can, switch to the longer wood drill and continue deeper. If you can find a wider one than the 24mm that i have it use it was it would go faster.

Make sure that you do not go so deep as to go out the bottom of the log, but it need to be deep enough for the birds to nest comfortably (at leas 20cm deep.)

the bottom will have a lot of drill holes of different depths, but try and keep it as even as possible. Use the hammer and wood chisels to smooth out the sides and the bottom as much as possible.

The end result should look like this:

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Imax · 19-06-2010 18:29:05

Use the wood saw to drill the entry hole about 5-7cm from the top. If the log has a bit of an overhanging lip at the top try to make the hole below this.

Use the wood sealer to seal any cracks in the wood or holes that you have made in the sides (the reddish blotches on the photos below).

Your log should now look like this:

Last edited by Imax (19-06-2010 19:23:55)

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Imax · 19-06-2010 19:00:36

place the top of the log onto the piece of pine wood and draw the outline with a pencil. Use a jig saw to cut out the cover for the log. Rather cut to big that it has a bit of a overhang than its to small.

Drill two holes with the 2mm drill on the sides at an right angle to the entry hole and feed the wire through this. This will be used to hang the log. tie the wire into a loop that will be big enough to hang the log from, so it will hang flush with the tree.

place a layer of wood sealer on the top of the log. use a thick layer which will ensure that the pine cover seals well.

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Imax · 19-06-2010 19:21:34

Before placing the pine top onto the log, take some of the fine sawdust that you drilled out and put it in the log. Shake it about until it fills the holes at the bottom and makes a level soft bed.

place the cover on top and use the screws to fasten the top onto the log by drilling 6 or 7 screws round the edges. Make sure to countersink the screws. I use my electric drill to screw them in, with the power of the drill automatically sinking them. seal of the holes made by the screw with some wood sealer.

you can treat or varnish the pine lid, as this will make it last longer.

Lastly drill a diagonal hole through the side and bottom for the log at the back end where it will rest against the tree and put a small wire loop through it. This will be used to tie the bottom of the log with rope or tree ties so that it can does not move.

I usually hang the log by the top wire loop and a medium sized nail that i hammer into the tree trunk. The nail will cause less damage to the tree than using the wire loop around the trunk, and later have the trees growth restricted around this loop. It is also easier later on to take the log off to clean it or seal holes that the birds have made.

So here is the end result:

Last edited by Imax (19-06-2010 19:35:39)

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Muis · 19-06-2010 19:33:22

Great tip and explanations Imax!

Hope you get tenants soon.

Jay · 19-06-2010 19:37:01

oh that is so kewl, thank you so much for great "how to" big_smile cool I shall have to get Muis into the garage soonest!

How to resize your photos
"Better Photography is a journey, not a destination." George D. Lepp
http://birdearth.wordpress.com/2012/03/ … -the-lens/

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi

Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit
Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right
Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good
Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions.
American Indian Ten Commandments

Muis · 19-06-2010 19:41:05

Auuugh! - was hoping you wouldn't see this before tomorrow night! hmm

Imax, what have you done to fathers' day for me???? mad lol

Imax · 19-06-2010 19:45:43

Muis, Jay must first find the right piece of wood, so send her searching tomorrow and you will have a peaceful day! big_smile

BTW this one was made from Tecoma stans (Yellow bells) which is a category one alien invader. So the invaders do have some good uses. cool

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Muis · 19-06-2010 19:47:56

lol lol lol

Good plan lol

Jay · 19-06-2010 19:48:15

hmm I am busy tomorrow, have to take photos of birds...a truck road a big tree over down the road, think there will be some nice logs to be had there, Muis tongue

How to resize your photos
"Better Photography is a journey, not a destination." George D. Lepp
http://birdearth.wordpress.com/2012/03/ … -the-lens/

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi

Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit
Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right
Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good
Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions.
American Indian Ten Commandments

Imax · 20-06-2010 08:58:34

Crested Barbet claimed it this morning! cool

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

Jay · 20-06-2010 10:25:55

that is SO kewl, Imax!!! now I wish you had a Birdcam wink

How to resize your photos
"Better Photography is a journey, not a destination." George D. Lepp
http://birdearth.wordpress.com/2012/03/ … -the-lens/

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world”. Mahatma Gandhi

Treat the Earth and all that dwell therein with respect.Remain close to the Great Spirit
Show great respect for your fellow beings. Work together for the benefit of all Mankind
Give assistance and kindness wherever needed. Do what you know to be right
Look after the well-being of Mind and Body. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater Good
Be truthful and honest at all times. Take full responsibility for your actions.
American Indian Ten Commandments

Muis · 20-06-2010 15:22:12

Great news Imax!

You're going to have to come up with a design for apartment logs at this rate. cool lol

Imax · 26-06-2010 21:38:56

I made the entry hole smaller so that Black collared barbets rather use it than the crested (there is another log for them) but seem even if it is a tight squeeze, he has nou firmly claimed the log, and is now renovating to suit his style

birding101

"There is a difference in merely getting a bird, and seeing it."
A supremely bad idea, by Luke Dempsey.

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#1 19-06-2010 18:06:06

Building a nesting log

#2 19-06-2010 18:24:34

Re: Building a nesting log

#3 19-06-2010 18:29:05

Re: Building a nesting log

#4 19-06-2010 19:00:36

Re: Building a nesting log

#5 19-06-2010 19:21:34

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#6 19-06-2010 19:33:22

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#7 19-06-2010 19:37:01

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#8 19-06-2010 19:41:05

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#9 19-06-2010 19:45:43

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#10 19-06-2010 19:47:56

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#11 19-06-2010 19:48:15

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#12 20-06-2010 08:58:34

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#13 20-06-2010 10:25:55

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#14 20-06-2010 15:22:12

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