Attracting birds and bugs.

Some parts of gardening can be unintentionally rewarding. Here at the +The Littlest Farm we are finding that our garden is turning us into amateur birders. It has motivated us to make space in our garden for birds, bugs and all sorts of needed critters.

Some of you might remember my Insect Hotel from a few months ago.

We have also placed multiple bird feeders and a bath

Today my lovely wife designed and built something for the more adventurous birds ( and likely squirrels ).

It is another adventure in re-purposing.

Using two old wire coat hangers ( hook portion cut off ) Meg took needle nose pliers and bent
them into a selection of shapes.

Add a couple apples on the ends...

... and you have a lovely decoration for the garden that feeds a bunch of critters. 

Insect Hotels

I was recently informed about insect hotels by +Tessa Neill. A very cool way to attract much needed insects to your garden.

If you are as new to this concept as I am a Insect Hotel is a very simple structure made from man made or natural materials made to attract insects to hibernate, settle in, or just visit.

What we will be focusing on at +The Littlest Farm will be solitary bees. Solitary bees are important pollinators, and pollen is gathered for provisioning the nest with food for their brood. Often it is mixed with nectar to form a paste-like consistency. Some solitary bees have very advanced types of pollen-carrying structures on their bodies. A very few species of solitary bees are being increasingly cultured for commercial pollination.

We will start with a very simple design to get things started and pass the time while I build something more elaborate.

Our started design will be similar to this photograph of bamboo poles packed together.

My plan is to stuff a painted piece of 4 inch PVC with bamboo poles and hang it horizontally near our flower garden. Bamboo, I am reading is an ideal material since it is smooth on the inside and bees have rather fragile bodies and prefer not to reside on rough surfaces. 

Down the road I will be building something more like this ( but appropriately sized for our area ). 

I think this is going to be a fun side project. Any one with experience in insect hotels or attracting solitary bees have any advice ?