Saturday, 23 February 2013

The real bird table

We had a lot of rain yesterday.  Too much for Mr A to continue erecting the chicken wire around the top part of the garden, so he spent the day in his shed, drilling, sawing and hammering.

I didn't venture into the shed, for fear of discovering yet more shelves.

No more shelves (thank goodness) but a lovely bird table.  Made of wood this time.  He has secured it firmly to the concrete gate post...much to the amusement of our neighbour Dursune, who had never seen one in her life, and had no idea what it was.   She clearly thinks I am quite mad, and is concerned that Mr A has lost the plot by encouraging my whims.






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31 comments:

  1. Hasn't Mr A done well ! I wonder if there's any chance of channelling his enthusiasm for woodwork and making things into stuff he/you could sell on to others ? It would be a great way of taking his mind off (more) shelves!!

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    1. Hi Rosemary. Well it's worth a thought. All this woodwork, cementing, building walls etc is relatively new to him. Trial and error at the moment but he is certainly improving with practise...so you never know.

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  2. That bird table looks great! I am sure there is a market for selling things like this to mad foreigners. Seriously though, I have never seen them here and I agree with Rosemary that it could be an idea to explore. Particularly as Mr A seems to get much enjoyment from it.

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    1. I think it would only be mad foreigners interested in them Vicky, but it might be worth exploring.

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  3. That's a great bird table - but I wonder if it'll change into a nest box in time? It looks eminently suitable - although perhaps a bit vulnerable to local moggies in it's present postition. Mr A is to be congratulated on his handiwork. Would there be a demand there for a production line to be started (I have a feeling that feeding the birds isn't part of the Turkish culture, is it)?

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    1. Helva. It's actually the most suitable place, because to the right is chicken wire which the cats can't climb, and they can't manage the gate to the left (I have been watching the cats for a while now so I'm sure the bird table is safe). Yes I think it could become a nesting box..which would be lovely. Oh I definitely don't think Turks would be feeding wild birds. Sadly their interest in birds are the poor creatures they buy and keep in tiny cages.

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    2. Err, below picture is from a mosque campus build at 15th century. Object is a "kuş köşkü", "bird kiosk" for wild birds.

      http://www.mustafacambaz.com/data/media/318/beyazt_kulliyesi_13_copy.jpg

      http://www.mustafacambaz.com/details.php?image_id=35873&sessionid=5b489b469aabb

      Note: Sorry, I do not know how to attach pictures, so you need to use links on your browser.

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    3. Anonymous: thankyou for your comment and the links. I don't usually post comments from anonymous posters, so I wonder if you might tell me who you are before I click on the links. I'm sure they are ok, but I've had some bad experiences in the past clicking on unknown links, so do let me know x

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  4. Wow, this is what I call a classy bird table!!! I love it! What sort of birds do you get?

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    1. Thanks Claudia. I haven't seen any birds recently but I guess they will return with the warmer weather. I have no idea about types of birds to be honest. I think I will have to get a book on them.

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  5. That's a very smart bird table, Ayak. Worth exploring whether there's a market for them?

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    1. Thanks Perpetua. I doubt the Turks would be interested, but foreigners might.

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  6. So now the cat table can be just that...and maybe it will mean that the birds feel safe to frequent this gorgeous Mr A. construction. I laughed so much when I saw the model bird table you had in mind, and the stone slab version that seemed to be Mr. A's interpretaion of your dreams. He's a star Ayak... and maybe he'll be building another of these masterpieces for Dursune soon...because she will love it so much. Jx

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    1. Well Janice, the cat table and the bird table are at opposite ends of the garden, so hopefully the cats won't bother the birds.

      Haha I can't imagine Dursune wanting one. She's still glancing at it from time to time and muttering under her breath (Mr A tells me she thinks its ridiculous)

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  7. Very nice too! Just caught up about the bird table posts! Hope you get many visitors of the feathered kind!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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    1. Thanks Maggie. I hope so too xx

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  8. This made me smile broadly - I love it! I'm a bit worried that having a bird AND a cat table in one garden might not be the most encouraging idea for the birds, but I'm sure you'll keep an eye on proceedings.
    I do like to imagine Mr A hammering away in his shed. My husband made a bird house when we lived in the UK and then put it on a pole that must have been about 20 feet in the air - so determined was he that the cats weren't going to get at his birds! One way or another, a marriage with a foreigner is going to make the neighbours talk! Axxx

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    1. We've had a bit of a shuffle about today Annie. The cat table is still at the opposite end of the garden from the bird table, but today Mr A finished enclosing the top end with chicken wire. The cat table is still in the same place, on the wall, but on the other side of the wire so that they can't get into the garden, but we can still put food and water through the wire. We are going to follow your husband's example and put the bird table on a pole, to make sure that the birds are safe. And yes...we foreign wives do give the neighbours something to talk about!

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    2. Glad to hear this, Ayak! I also meant that my foreign husband gave the neighbours plenty to talk about too - I'm getting my own back now after 14 years of Cesar's 'bizarre' behaviour in England!
      Axxx

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    3. I rather like bizarre behaviour Annie. It makes for a much more interesting life!

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  9. This is a lovely bird house and such a funny story with your neighbour :)

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    1. Thankyou koszycek. We are always a constant source of amusement to the neighbours!

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  10. What a lovely bird table! I really like the colour of the wood and the design (though I agree, it might well turn into a nest box).

    I hope you enjoy watching the birds who will, surely, flock to your garden now.

    We used to have a lot of bird feeders when we lived in the UK. We were right by the Grand Union Canal which is quite a wildlife corridor. Made for some good watching out of our den window. Ironiic, really - we saw a lot more wildlife in London than we do from our house here. Though, of course, we didn't have storks or swallows or any of the wonderful wildlife we see on our walks.

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    1. Thanks omentide. Mr A has now erected a large wooden pole and fixed the box on top, which is much safer I think. Suddenly, from yesterday when there were no birds to be heard, today I can hear lots. None have ventured near the bird table yet, but am sure they will soon.

      I do love the storks here. I am always amazed at how well they build their nests up so high.

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  11. WOW!!!! Mr. A has made a Bird House...that looks like it came from Beverly Hills. Love the design and the lil' window on top of the entry door, so creative your Mr. A is :-)
    If I had this in my garden I would have to stand and chase the squirrels away.....
    Great idea, I'm sure he could sell a few of these, I sure would buy one for my garden. He's very good with his hands, might be an idea for him to do something at home and sell outside when he's home.
    Love all the rustic stones and rocks around your garden.....I have to pay for them rocks here by the pound EEKKS!! and they ain't cheap.
    Have a great day.....and let's see what Mr. A will whip up next in his shed.

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    1. Thanks Erica. I am very pleased with it, and looking forward to the birds visiting, and maybe even nesting in it.

      I too love all the rocks. We are very lucky to have plenty for the dry stone walls.

      I don't mind what Mr A makes next...it keeps him occupied while he's not working...as long as he doesn't make any more shelves!

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  12. It's lovely! Such a nice deep coloured wood too.

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    1. I love the colour of the wood too Deniz. Everything Mr A makes is recycled from scraps we have stored in the old house in the garden.

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  13. What a fine bird table, and clever Mr A.
    From one bird box maker to the other - nice one.

    I've done a series of bird and box/table posts which you may find of interest.
    Example:
    http://eddybluelights.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/it-looks-promising-for-ble-tit-nesting.html

    I've taken some video shots and hope to do a post on that soon.
    Eddie x

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    1. Thankyou Eddie. And thanks for the link. I love your nesting boxes...and of course the accompanying post, filled with your usual humour!

      Look forward to the post with the video shots x

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  14. That is stunning!! He should make those and sell them :-)

    C x

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