This oval hole keeps out English House sparrows and creates a
vacancy for swallows, chickadees, wrens, nuthatches and other small
birds. This hole would be best in 3/4" thick piece of hardwood.
There are many ways of making the oval hole. You could make a jig and
use a router and flush bearing bit. The following are two easy ways
to make the hole.
1. With 7/8" and 5/8" forstner
wood bits as shown below. File and sand (but do not exceed the 7/8"
in height.) Paint edges in black to make an inviting hole for the
birds.
2. Or, if you only have a 5/8"
flat wood bit, measure 1 1/2" across then drill two 5/8"
holes on each end staying within the 1 1/2 " mark. Measure 7/8"
height in the middle and draw an oval shape.
Cut inside of
this line with a coping saw, then file and sand to 7/8". The
hole should not exceed 7/8" in height. Although it is ok to be
wider, 1 1\2” is the minimum width. For attracting swallows for
the first time, paint a black round shape hole around the oval hole.
Wrens will use a 1" round hole as well. For your yard, you
should only be using two hole sizes: the oval hole or a 1" round
hole. Anything else will let house sparrows in.
For more
information call Mac and Chris at (250) 812-6461 or email at
swallows@shaw.ca