New Paint Job

The final step in construction was to see how/if I could mimic the bark on a palm tree. I do confess I am not much of an artist. I asked for some advice from my son after the first go around..

His comment " You can do better"...

 I think we did. We worked together to streak the paint and this is the final finish.

 Here is the completed line up. Two 8x8x36 and Two 10x10x36. If I get time I am going to try and finish a couple more before delivery to Harlingen.

Nest Box Construction

 In my humble workshop the plans were drawn up and construction began over the Christmas Holiday 2011. Many thanks to Nate Skinner,  Matt Denton, and Donald Brightsmith who all provided valuable information to steer me in the right direction.

 The design is a combination of advise from others, and my desire for a functional product. Each box has a side door for inspection on or cleaning. The sides are both nailed and screwed . Inside of each box are footholds  to make entry and exit easier, although the way I see them hanging upside down on all kind of things I would not think climbing is a problem!

 I opted to try two sizes to start 10in x 10in x 36in ...and one 8in x 8in x 36in. The  entrance hole is 3 inches....."just right"??... We will see!

 I reinforced the bottoms using much thicker 3/4 inch wood. It seen all that in all the old nest boxes I have  seen, the first thing to go is the bottom. Each corner is trimmed to allow drainage. The sides are made from 1/2 in plywood. The top extension for hanging has  a cedar board front and back to help hold the bigger box.

A base coat of grey to seal the wood has been applied and I am going to try and mimic the rings on a palm tree with darker paint.

The Start of A GREAT New Year!

  I  really got started on this project last summer while chasing around the RGV looking for  a good camera shots and became intrigued with the parrot population

 I ended up this fall in McAllen and found birds...Parrots and Parakeets roosting all over the high line wires! So while at the RGV Birding event I met some great folks from the Arroyo Colorado Audubon Society

 My question was..."where do they nest?" As a Bird House Guy..I wanted to know if they would nest in a man made box.....so the project was born!

 Our goal is to have input from as many people as possible and have some "test" houses up early this spring. Lets hope we have a shot like this with his head poking out of an East Fork Bird Parrot box!