Build a Better Birdhouse (Or Feeder): New Designs in Avian Architecture

Rating:
Summary: Creative, But Not Technical
Review: Once you plow through the diatribe condemming man for destroying the bird's environment, there are a lot of creative ideas here if you want to build birdhouses and nesting platforms. The book is illustrated with freehand drawings that can be hard to follow, but this is not meant to be a book of plans, more as an inspiration to the creative.

There is a brief chart showing the diameter of entrance hole for a few species, but it is not as complete as other sources. He does not get into any great detail about where to mount houses, proper interior sizes or spacing for the different species.

Most of his designs are for pole mounted houses and he gives some creative ideas for poles. Several ideas are for wall mounted houses. He does have a few designs for hanging houses. One of the more interesting houses is a pole mounted "earth sheltered" nesting platform.

If you want more technical information, I'd suggest Scott D. Campbell's "The Complete Book of Birdhouse Construction for Woodworkers" (available from Amazon.com.) Campbell's book is an excellent companion to Well's book and a basic technical reference for building birdshouses. You can modify the creative designs in Well's book to conform to the researched standards in Cambell's book.

The more information you have before you start, the better your results will be!

Rating:
Summary: Creative, But Not Technical
Review: Once you plow through the diatribe condemming man for destroying the bird's environment, there are a lot of creative ideas here if you want to build birdhouses and nesting platforms. The book is illustrated with freehand drawings that can be hard to follow, but this is not meant to be a book of plans, more as an inspiration to the creative.

There is a brief chart showing the diameter of entrance hole for a few species, but it is not as complete as other sources. He does not get into any great detail about where to mount houses, proper interior sizes or spacing for the different species.

Most of his designs are for pole mounted houses and he gives some creative ideas for poles. Several ideas are for wall mounted houses. He does have a few designs for hanging houses. One of the more interesting houses is a pole mounted "earth sheltered" nesting platform.

If you want more technical information, I'd suggest Scott D. Campbell's "The Complete Book of Birdhouse Construction for Woodworkers" (available from Amazon.com.) Campbell's book is an excellent companion to Well's book and a basic technical reference for building birdshouses. You can modify the creative designs in Well's book to conform to the researched standards in Cambell's book.

The more information you have before you start, the better your results will be!

Rating:
Summary: Good for inspiration, but not for beginners' guidance.
Review: This book has some novel and interesting ideas for breaking out of the classical design mold which might be boring to some people. However, contrary to the claim on the backcover that it contains "...easy-to-follow construction drawings even the most hesiteant amateur will be moved to build...", the designs really require the skills of a moderately experienced carpenter or cabinetmaker to follow. If you're already experienced in woodworking and reading design plans, then the diagrams may appear to be "elegantly simple". However, to a construction novice like myself, the designs will be daunting. The book is worth the price just to get some nice new design ideas, but don't expect it to be a beginner's guide to construction.

Rating:
Summary: Good for inspiration, but not for beginners' guidance.
Review: This book has some novel and interesting ideas for breaking out of the classical design mold which might be boring to some people. However, contrary to the claim on the backcover that it contains "...easy-to-follow construction drawings even the most hesiteant amateur will be moved to build...", the designs really require the skills of a moderately experienced carpenter or cabinetmaker to follow. If you're already experienced in woodworking and reading design plans, then the diagrams may appear to be "elegantly simple". However, to a construction novice like myself, the designs will be daunting. The book is worth the price just to get some nice new design ideas, but don't expect it to be a beginner's guide to construction.