Building a Bird Habitat
The Bird Amphitheater (aka Bird Habitat)
Because of our nine mature Pecan trees and the fact we live in the country, birds are a huge part of our property. We have an amazing variety of birds including Ravens, Black birds, Mourning Doves, and Hummingbirds to name just a few. In addition to our Pecan trees, we have two bird feeders in the back yard. Andy also received a new feeder with a camera for Christmas.
Outside out back yard to the left was an old wood pile created by tree trimmings that we discarded haphazardly. It was an unsightly pile that needed to be moved so we could eventually install a storage shed in that area. The problem with moving it though was that many of the birds liked to perch on it throughout the year. It was also fun to watch them hop from branch to branch.
This unsightly mess of branches and logs combined with the interaction of the birds was my inspiration for the Bird Habitat. Rather than get rid of the wood pile and thus take away a place the birds enjoyed, I decided to move it and with a bit of strategic curation create a new space for them! I used Andy’s new bird feeder as the focal point and created a sculptural structure that I could incorporate into the backyard landscape.
I started by putting weed barrier down in the location of the new habitat. Then I detangled the wood pile, separating the different branches and logs into piles determined by their size. Once I had the branches organized, I took the larger, heavier branches and created a base structure in the shape of a semi-circle. Andy’s new camera feeder mounted on a wooden fence post was the central axis point of the semi-circle. This shape reminds me of the stone Amphitheaters I studied in Art History. With the foundation in place, I slowly built up from there, making a point to weave the branches in and out of each other create space for the birds to sit. With the medium size wood in place, I then added the smaller more delicate limps that had multiple branches coming out in various directions. This gave the structure some additional texture and made smaller pockets for birds to hid or perhaps even make nests!
As the Amphitheatre continued to rise, I placed the top branches in such a way that it allowed for more open space while directing the eye on either side toward the bird feeder.
So, the semi-circular curve of the structure combined with the strategic placement of these upper branches created directional lines that were both functional for the birds and visually pleasing to the observer. As with most things I create, I applied the principles of art and design when building this habitat which is why it feels sculptural in appearance and reminds me of an Andy Goldsworthy installation piece!
Although I’ve not yet begun landscaping the backyard, when I do it will be easy to incorporate our Bird Habitat into the design. It will be and already is a key feature to our back yard. The birds have responded to it, just how I envisioned they would, with little birds hoping from branch to branch in the lower area and larger birds perching on the upper branches. On many occasions, they even look like they are lining up to take a turn at the bird feeder! It’s a community center for our birds which makes me smile.
Of course, now that I’ve completed their habitat the creative wheels of my brain haven’t stopped. I have an idea for a bird bath which would make for an excellent water source for them in the summer. However, I will leave this DIY project for another blog post… stay tune!
