| Create your own birdhouse using a dried vegetable. The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Volume 2, gives step-by-step instructions on how to dry and make an attractive birdhouse from a gourd (with adult supervision, of course!). If you really want to treat your feathered friends, you can also hang out a pinecone rolled in honey or peanut butter. Make a Gourd Birdhouse You will need: Round or curlicue-shape gourd, completely dried
12-inch ruler
Drill or sharp knife
Round stick or wooden dowel for perch, about 1/4-inch in diameter
Weatherproof cord or string
Choose a gourd that is large enough for a bird to live in but not too large to hang from a tree branch. To dry it, keep it in a warm area with good air circulation (this may take several months). When the seeds rattle and tapping it produces a hollow sound, it’s ready. Using a drill or sharp knife, make the entrance hole at least one-third of the way up from the bottom of the large part of the gourd. Half an inch below the entrance hole, drill or cut a small hole the diameter of your stick or dowel perch and put the perch into the hole. Make two or three small holes in the bottom of the gourd for drainage and two holes in the top for the cord hanger. Run a piece of cord though the holes in the top. Leave enough length to hang and tie it. In the spring, hang the birdhouse on a branch where you can see it. To attract many birds, make a few birdhouses and place them on neighboring trees. For more fun facts and projects on astronomy, pets, health, nature, sports, and weather, as well as a companion activity guide, go to Almanac4kids.com. # # #
EDITOR’S NOTE: The preceding excerpt is from The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Volume 2.
Posted 10.03.07 |
