Peep show
Villa Kunterbunt
Who would not like to live in there? These colorful birdhouses make fun not only for the little inhabitants, but also for their viewers. They are nesting box and feeding house in one. They are made by Birgit Linke and Günter Brötzmann. The pair of artisans built their Rabennest 19 years ago in Kleinharbach in Middle Franconia and since then has been producing colorful birdhouses and wooden art objects. The bird villas are available in three different sizes for between 110 and 150 euros. Available via: Rabennest, Brötzmann + Linke, Kleinharbach 9, 97215 Uffenheim. www.rabennest-online.de.
beach houses
For hanging on the tree or wall are the neat, weather-resistant nest boxes and bird feeders from the bird house workshop by Christiane Wiedeler. The houses are removable for cleaning, the roofs hinged. Chest models are also available for the balcony. Customers can choose between 18 shades. The prices are between 27 and 50 euros. To be consulted: Die Vogelhauswerkstatt, Christiane Wiedeler, Am Haag 11, 65812 Bad Soden / Ts., Www.vogelhauswerkstatt.de.
For traditionalists
Based on old Kashubian craftsmanship, Tancred Behrendt designs his birdhouses in Lesno, Poland, reproducing traditional 400-year-old floral motifs on the wood. All houses are about 18 Zemtimeter high, hand-painted and designed differently. Available through Tankred Behrendt, Wybudowanie 9, 89-634 Lesno, Poland, www.lasuni.de.
International
Here architects have let off steam: the birdhouses of the new collection are called 'Toronto', 'Monastery' or 'Brighton', are built in the style of a Frisian house or look like a Spanish finca. You can choose between 20 international, colored, hand painted house models. The nest boxes have different sized entry holes and partly a sheltered feeding area. Seen at house & garden, Dürerstraße 28, 46399 Bocholt, www.vogelhaeuser.de
For restless
This birdhouse in the form of an old caravan is a pure decorative object, it has no cleaning opening, but a retractable drawbar and moving wheels. Price: 39 euros. The Birdhouse Camper is available at American Homestyles, PO Box 1202, D-77761 Schiltach, the-homestore.de.
Cozy
This completely painted combined feed nesting box is designed for feeding small songbirds. Magpies, jays, etc. have no chance to get to the food. The house has an intermediate floor and a hole in the side gable makes the attic a nesting place. The removable roof makes the box easy to clean. Price 65 euros. For 120 euros there is a painted two-storey bird villa. Seen at Deko `ola, Anne Kopp, On the Reide 37, 40468 Dusseldorf, www.vogelvilla.de.
Quaint under the thatched roof
Actually, Michael Gross is a roofer and specializes in the ancient art of thatched roofs. To his birdhouses he says: "They are the result of the weather dependency of our trades.The production of small roofs helps in the dark months to use many free hour and to plug many a gaping hole." The result is beautiful, stable birdhouses with a thick thatched roof, a heather and a solid basic construction of Douglas and birch. Eye-catcher is the lavishly worked half-timbered house. Feed input and cleaning are carried out via a built-in drawer. Available via Michael Gross, Frielingen 36, 29614 Soltau, www.reet-vogelhaeuser.de
Exclusive
More luxury is not possible: This white art work with a copper roof is made of plastic, is easy to clean and resistant to moss. Cost: 714 euros. Whether the feathered friends then behave properly accordingly, however, is uncertain. Available at www.homeandgarden.de
Free view
The hexagonal pavilion with arched openings can stand on a pole, hang from a ribbon or tied to a tree. It is made of polypropylene and is easily assembled without tools. Price: 18.50 Euro at Bird Box Company ApS, Paradisvejen 46, DK-8600 Silkeborg, Denmark, www.birdboxcompany.com.
Tips for the bird-friendly garden
- The nature conservation federation Germany advises:
- Do not destroy every "weed", but let it grow in some places.
- The autumn leaves do not rake off completely - there lives a lot of small animals that feed birds, as well as in the compost heap with its many worms, spiders and insects.
- Avoid pesticides. Poisoned insects, seeds and fruits also poison the birds.
- Feed birds only in frost or snow cover.
