I'm glad you enjoyed the video....good luck with all your projects!

100% agreed! ...no need to complicate things, especially with something that is strictly functional.

Thanks

Thanks, I appreciate your comment. Sometimes simple can be more enjoyable too.

@natureyardlife I often use hand tools myself instead of my fancier tools. I find woodworking relaxing.

Agreed. And if the end products are for nature in some way, it's a double win.

Glad you enjoyed the video.

Thanks

Glad you found the video interesting.... I've always harvested and cleaned my cocoons. Have you every had any issues with parasite infestations or diseases?

Hi there...sorry, no plans...just the measurements in the description below the video. But feel free to ask any questions you have if you decide to give this project a go.

Merci pour votre question. J'ai acheté le pot contenant le beurre de graines de tournesol dans un magasin local. Il est spécialement conçu pour les oiseaux et est riche en protéines et sans sel. Vous pouvez utiliser du beurre de cacahuète pur ou acheter du beurre de cacahuète sans sel ajouté. J'espère que cela aidera à répondre à votre question.

Haha awesome! Good luck with the project...hope she likes it!

Ya, because these houses are so small, the heat builds up quickly....any air flow helps.

That's awesome! Great job!....curious how much you're getting for them?

@@natureyardlife $25. People love the look!

@@cabman86 Very nice, glad they're selling for you.....makes me think I might do the same!

Ya, possibly, but I think it could just be her partner checking out the nest...either way thankfully there was no drama, unlike one of my other birdboxes where the mother kept aggressively hounding a visitor : kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6LIon2heNZ8hac

Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for the support!

Thanks for the question....The board I used is 1.75 x 2.5 inches. Really though, you could just use a 2 x 4 and it would work all the same. Good luck!

Thanks for the tip, I'll avoid it on future projects.

So glad you liked it....All the best with your project!

Glad you liked it!

All the best to him if he gives this project a go!

Hello, the inside measurements are as follows: *parallel side to side - 14.5 inches *inside corner to corner - 16.75 inches *depth - 8 inches If you want it deeper, simply add however many layers you want. Hope this helps, and good luck with your project!

That's awesome....birds can get pretty creative when it comes to nesting. Watching chicks grow is such a great experience for kids (actually, for adults too!) A simple nesting ledge would provide a stable structure that offers some basic protective qualities. All the best if you decide to give it a go!

@@natureyardlife Yup! And my oldest is ok to work with the tools so we might just make it a Mommy&Me project this summer.

Thanks for the pointers...I'll be sure to incorporate these into the next build.

Actually, I now have a feeling you may be correct. Currently we have a couple of chicks and the dad keeps coming in to feed them - mum is okay with it. He looks remarkably similar to our suspect intruder. Maybe she was just hype-defensive at the get go. Well spotted!

@@natureyardlife She definetely is the most control freak bird mom on youtube ahahh poor dad 😂 They mate for life usually but I wonder if he’s going to put up with this for the next mating season? Let’s put the blame on pregnancy hormones and hope she’s a nice partner the rest of the time 🥹😅

Thanks for the pointers @CrownBees .... I've also got some blocks that I line with paper tubes and lock in at the back....definitely easier to harvest at the end of season.... I like to give the bees options. Here's a link to my video on harvesting a variety of nesting methods: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKOmnamvjJekobM

@@natureyardlife 😍

It is a little boxey, isn't it....haha

@@natureyardlife it's actually well built and easy to follow along to.

@@EnlightnMe48 Glad you like it....it's an easy build...give it a go!

Glad you enjoyed the video. This is a great little bench, especially for starting out, or if you are limited for space (which I currently am). My bench is a PARKSIDE brand bench that cost me about $40. I picked this up in Europe, but they are readily available State-side or on the internet. Good luck starting out and hope this helps! Here is a link for a Black and Decker bench on Amazon: www.amazon.com/BLACK-DECKER-WM125-Workmate-350-Pound/dp/B000077CQ0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3V9VMFMCVBESB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9sbWx_9jZHUI32Xev1TdbBF1JauMqod08pz65JXOGpZTBe71BA5m2dZGS_edNydIZiuRBMfMJV3ojAUGETW5eTDE7rbuhKazi47mfZKyhZHKAAkjKomX630mO9Rt9Tt5tZOC0RUFXUydNRjNCVXz749j5qaFXbvkGD5OLy_ieP3MtwMHEUXVPfRDgk_iKHoeRDCwG0aEuGRrPhmrZUzafA77sFkN8mHq_DTznV6WIKypigyENPr2AtgUPkpQboaG.yQphVlcF_8BwuL2yhmFQN9NCjq1X1owxUBIs2NfwMEU&dib_tag=se&keywords=parkside+workbench&qid=1713962177&sprefix=parkside+workbench%2Caps%2C157&sr=8-2

@@natureyardlife thanks a lot. i was unable to find Parkside bench but Black and Decker is available in my location. Thanks for the help. ❤️

The window is there to bring in a little more light for the camera. Even with the window, on cloudy days the night vision setting does not always switch over to the regular day setting if there isn't enough light. As the days get longer, and sunnier, this should be less of an issue. To make it, I used some translucent plastic and sealed it on the outside with some outdoor glue after attaching it with staples. I also added a little trim over the edges on the outside to direct the rain away from it. The birds don't seem to mind it, and it gives then a little extra ledge to sit on as a bonus.

Hello, glad you liked the video. I actually have given all the measurements in the video description. It's an easy build...good luck with your project!

​@natureyardlife , high,I know you said that you have listed all the measurements in the video but, I have watched it again and the only reference to any measurement is two 6' boards, no mention of any other sizes other than the 2"x4" ripped down for the handles. Thanks again Les.

Hi Les....the measurements are written out in the video description, located under the actual video....so not actually in the video itself. I've added them here for you as well....good luck, and please let me know if you have any other questions...happy to help! Project Wood Dimensions (inches): Wheel pieces (2x) - 5.5 x 10 - (9" diameter) Front - 5.5 x 15 Side (2x) - 5.5 x 17 (30° front end angle cut) Back- 5.5 x 15 Base - (3x laminated) 5.5 x 15 Swooshes (2x cut from) 5.5 x 15 Handles (2x) - 1 x 1.5 x 45 (ripped into 4 strips - 2 are used) Front Top Trim - 1 x 1.5 x 15 Legs (2x) - 1 x 1.5 x 11

@@natureyardlife 😊 thank you very much, greatly appreciated. Les.

I'm glad you like the video. I've gone and added the dimensions in the description. I used to add these in my earlier videos, but I never received any feedback, so wasn't sure if I was wasting my time...thanks for clarifying that for me! I'll continue to include them from here on.

@@natureyardlife Wow, that was quick! Thank you for being so interactive with your viewers.

@@franceswatts4001 My pleasure...good luck with your build if you decide to give it a go!

Thanks, appreciate the support...

Agreed! Glad you like the video....she definitely does some due diligence.

Thanks for your question. Here is a video to go through the steps to clean and store your cocoons properly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmbWgnZjj7NkndU To clean the houses, you can use a cloth with warm water to wipe over the house surfaces. You are trying to get rid of any dirt or pollen that may be lying around. If you have used paper liners for the tubes, all you need to do is replace the paper lines in the spring. If there are any tubes that look wet or damaged, just discard them. Hope this helps, and good luck!

Yup, and I have a few bird feeders set up too...easy street!

Haha, indeed! Incidentally, the black and white is the night vision mode, as these visits took place in the early morning.

Oh nice

I used a waterproof outdoor wood glue. The brand was Pattex with a D3 rating, but any glue with these characteristics would do just fine. There are 4 levels of water and weather resistance, D1, D2, D3 and D4. D3 has a good all round water resistance and is very common. Good luck!

Glad you enjoyed the video....To attach it to the railing, I simple "hooked" it over the steel glass divider. There are no screws or fasteners holding it in place. The bracket on the back of the planter it measured to be a couple of millimeters narrower than the post and with the weight of the full planter, it fits snuggly over the post....it's not going anywhere. Hope this helps....

I actually have a video of a build for a different bird house with a camera....sadly, that bird house doesn't have any birds visiting yet! It's still early, so there's still time I guess. Here is the link if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipzPno2ejN6dY6s

Ik I’ve watched it before

Great, hope you enjoyed it. I'm planning on doing several more videos for different bird houses with cameras (different designs)....probably one similar to this one too, so stay tuned, and thanks for watching!

Np byeeeeee

Glad you liked the video! I really like this Parkside table...it is so useful and folds up really small. I picked it up at Lidl for 25 Euros. There are a bunch of tables out there that you can get from most major tool stores.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for your comment....hand tools count as daily exercise :-)

Thanks!

Thanks....sometimes little details make a big difference visually. Honestly, not as busy a station as some of my others....probably not in the best location right now.

@@natureyardlife is there water close by for them?

@@ayatti26 There is, but this feeder is kinda tucked away....my others take the main stage

Thanks! The shelf is there to place the cocoons on for release in the spring. I actually use small jar lids to hold the cocoons and then I slide the lids into the shelf. I have a short video showing/explaining this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epbJiIp8n86BqZY

@@natureyardlife thank you!

@@natureyardlife one more question...can you start a bee house without cocoons?

@@928RENTALS You certainly can....however, there is no guarantee that you will get any bees to actually nest....it all depends if your garden area, or where every you put up your bee house, is a desirable place for random bees to take up residence. You can encourage them by making sure you have early season blooming flowers that will provide a source of food for them as well as pollen for their nests chambers. Also, be sure to have some clay mud around in the area, so the bees have a source material to build their chamber walls. By putting up a bee house, you are at least providing an option for your local friends to nest in.....you may also attack other bees, such as leaf cutter bees if you put up a house. Whatever you decide to do, you are helping out in some capacity none the less. Good Luck!

If you are not sure if there are mason bees in your area, or you don't get any to nest, you can always order a small box of bees (online) to start your colony. I started with 20 bees my first year....this is my 6th year and my colony is about 2500 bees. I give away a lot of cocoons every season, not only to help others locals start their colonies, but I also don't have the capacity to support more than that in my yard area. Bottom line.... easier to get started with a small batch of cocoons and then grow your colony, than to wait for local bees to "discover" your nesting tubes. My bee houses have slots that I put the cocoons in for hatching, so when the bees emerge, they already see the tubes waiting for them....it works really well this way.

I position all my mason bee houses between 5 and 7 feet off the ground. I have always done this height and they have always filled really well. You can go both higher or lower, but I like to keep them high enough off the ground so they don't get disturbed by any ground animals, but low enough so I can watch and enjoy them (they can be mesmerizing to watch sometimes). Just be sure to have them positioned to face the rising sun in the morning so the bees can warm up early. Here's a short video I have about setting up your mason bee houses: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epbJiIp8n86BqZY

Glad you enjoyed the video....bees are a wonderful hobby, and great for the your local environment! Hope you decide to start your own colony.

There are different size tubes available, but a typical size that I find works well is 5/16 inch diameter and 6 inches long. You can go a little longer or shorter in length if you choose. Finding them in a typical pet store can be challenging, so I always buy them on Amazon...here's an example: www.amazon.com/URATOT-Outdoor-Cardboard-Beekeeper-Replacement I also like to line my tubes with paper which makes it easier to harvest the cocoons...here is my video for that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eobdf55qrZaXgLs Good luck!

Actually, there is....it involves a bit more work and a few tools but I did it last year and will be uploading a video of it in a few weeks time...stay tuned....

Here is a link to my new video on harvesting the cocoons from a variety of nest types. It is definitely more work to get the cocoons out of the 2x4 blocks...again, not for everyone, but I like providing options for my bees. Hope you enjoy the video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmbWgnZjj7NkndU