5 DIY Birdhouses

As the temperatures drop, our little feathered friends start looking for warm, safe places to perch and a reliable snack or two. There’s something special about supporting local wildlife. The Woodland Mills community has been busy crafting some downright wonderful homes and feeders using lumber they milled themselves. 

Joseph's "Luxury Bird Suite"

Joseph took some leftover cottonwood that was milled on his HM130MAX, spent about fifty cents on screws, and ended up with a birdhouse fit for royalty. Seriously, if birds could give Yelp reviews, this one would be five stars with enthusiastic chirping.
It’s simple, sturdy, and made entirely from scraps that would’ve gone to waste. Proof that you don’t need a big budget to create something meaningful.

Jody's Maple Bird Feeder

Jody’s feeder is the perfect mix of rustic charm and creative repurposing. The frame is milled maple from his HM126, and the seed reservoir? An old rum bottle – rinsed as to avoid inebriated birds staggering about the yard.
This feeder not only looks great, it keeps seed dry and easy to refill. Functional and fun.

Garrett's "Bird Village"

Most folks build a birdhouse. Garrett built six.
He got into a groove, resulting in what can only be described as a bird subdivision. Street names pending.
It took him about an hour and a half in total from his HM126 to finish. Now that he’s got the process down, he says next time it’ll be even faster.

Mike's Annual Owl Sanctuary

Mike didn’t just build a birdhouse for his sister, he built an owl home. And the best part? The owls return to use it every year.
There’s something magical about knowing your work is part of a real, ongoing cycle of life in the trees. Once a log on his HM130, now back in the forest where it started. A handmade home that became part of the landscape.

Memory-Made Birdhouse

Sometimes the project is less about the result and more about the moment. Karlos and his granddaughter built their birdhouse together. An afternoon sharing his passions for milling on his HM126, measuring, assembling, and learning side-by-side.
It’s the kind of thing she’ll remember every time she sees a bird land on it. And that’s priceless.

A Simple Build That Means A Lot

A birdhouse or feeder is a small project but it has a real impact.
It helps wildlife through the cold months, it puts your milled lumber to good use, and it just feels good to see life return to something you made with your own hands.
If you’ve built one recently (or are thinking about it), we’d love to see it.
Share your builds with us and help keep our backyard birds safe, fed, and feeling at home this winter. 🐦🌲

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