RUSTIC BIRD FEEDER AND TABLE

Many of us do not have a garden or at least not one large enough to accommodate many rustic projects. Small rustic features such bird tables and feeders can help to convey the 'Rustic feel' even in the smallest of urban gardens. This fact sheet describes two simple projects that use both rustic wood and scrap wood. It introduces an area of rustic craftwork that has many exciting opportunities for making useful and beautiful items for even the smallest garden. An added bonus is that no Sparrow or Blue Tit is going to comment on the quality of the handywork!

Materials

1 x 1500mm long, base diameter
75mm stick with a stout fork 900mm from one end.
Selection of 600mm long 25-35mm thick sticks.
Scrap timber including 450mm lengths.

Tools

Hammer
Pruning saw
Power drill and bits.
Selection of nails including 20mm,25mm,50mm, 75mm and 100mmm

Two 75mm inch coach screws with washers.

Using the scrap wood and nails make a flat base and tabletops of the sizes below and as shown in the illustrations. Use thick/ heavy timber for the base.

Large bird tabletop: 300 x 300mm

Small bird tabletop: 250 x250mm

Base: 450 x 450mm

         Base

Fixing the base

With a drill bit slightly thinner than the coach screw drill a hole through the centre point of the base and into the bottom of the forked 1500 mm stick to a depth no greater than the length of the coach screw.

With the washer on the underside of the base screw the coach screw in firmly.

Fix three equally spaced diagonal braces to the table upright and the base. Pre drill all nail holes with a bit slightly thinner than the nails used.

Fixing the top table

With a drill bit slightly thinner than the coach screw drill a hole through the centre point of the tablee and into the top of the forked 1500 mm stick to a depth no greater than the length of the coach screw.

With the washer on the topside of the table screw the coach screw in firmly.

Fix three equally spaced diagonal braces to the table upright and the table. Pre drill all nail holes with a bit slightly thinner than the nails used.

Retaining minor twigs on the diagonal braces will allow additional feeders to be hung.

Fixing the bottom table

Cut the fork so that it presents a horizontal surface when the table is standing
upright and there is sufficient room for the smaller table.
Position table and using drill bit slightly thinner than the stoutest nail that can be used without the nail protruding. For the stick below 'pre-drill and nail the table to the branch fork.
Pre-drill and nail two smaller nails through the table and into the fork but this time do it at a slight angle.

Finishing the table
Twig lengths split lengthways and nailed to the table edges will provide a more finished appearance and if a slight lip is left on the topside of the tables it will stop food from rolling off.

Bird Feeder

Thrim a 450mm*75-90mm log as shown and cut out the central 300mmm to half the thickness of the log.

Cut a piece of 6 x 6mm galvanised 'Handy Mesh' so as to cover the cut area on the log and overlap slightly.

Fix the mesh to the log with small galvanised staples or upholstery staples.

Drill a 25mm hole into the back of the feeder near the top. Shape a round twig to the cut hole.

Fix two small vine-eyes one to the twig plug and one to the log close to the hole and tie a piece of garden wire between the two.

Fix a large 'vine-eye' to the top of the feeder as a hanging point.