Birdhouses and bug hotels at Common Ground
Common Ground is our community food-growing and art-making programme guided by a wide range of artists, agricultural experts and community members. We are currently building a micro-farm to grow our own produce, to eat, share and learn. Along the way, we will explore both large and small-scale creative projects for the micro-farm area, from building bee hotels to painting murals.
November at Common Ground is all about birdhouses. Hosted by artist Eve Cromwell, we’re exploring the design and creation of avian residences.
On Saturday, we began crafting our birdhouses. We looked at a variety of designs and which birds they could be suitable for, depending on size. We created mock-ups in cardboard to better understand the process. In the next session, we’ll begin making the birdhouses using reclaimed wood. Taking inspiration from the book The Bird House Book, we were able to see different designs and the specific measurements needed for a variety of birds. Who knew bird houses were so particular, depending on the type of bird?
If you weren’t able to make the first session, there’s still time to make your own birdhouse over the coming weeks.
Eve will guide us through each step, from design to build, with an imaginative approach while ensuring practicality for potential nesters. She’ll introduce a range of basic carpentry skills. You don’t need any prior experience, but a little manual dexterity is required. Younger children will need assistance if they want to build, but we also have a range of paper-based activities, including model making and creating paper birds with Amin Gheisari. Nell Catchpole will return for further sound recording and audio experimentation. Every Common Ground Saturday session is free, including the use of materials.
You’ll also get a first look at our plans for the Common Ground micro-farm we’re currently building!
Saturday Sessions November Dates: 15th, 22nd & 29th
🔗 Sign up here.
In October, we crafted bug hotels and bee houses for our soon-to-be micro-farm, artist Cassie McGuire led the workshops as we explored different materials and methods of making these environments. These spaces will become home to a variety of creatures and, in particular, provide a sanctuary for solitary bees over winter. These habitats will be the first elements installed in what will become our community micro-farm.
In the final session, as we completed our bug houses, sound Artist Nell Catchpole joined us to explore field recording techniques. Nell introduced the equipment, and participants were able to have a go at capturing the sounds of Common Ground, from the hammering of nails to the chatter of discussing bugs and all the noises in between.
Join us this Saturday to make your own birdhouse. You can sign up for free here.