About a decade ago we graciously accepted Mother Nature’s bit to assume control of our farm in rural Illinois. After raising sheep for years, we retired from competitive herding trials with our Border Collies. We sold the sheep and turned our efforts to training Service Dog for people with disabilities. To prevent our pastures from becoming overgrown with scrub brush, we hired a ‘Hay Guy’ to cut the fields a couple of times a year. However, other than that occasional intervention – which supports a prairie-like ecosystem –the flora and fauna which would likely have existed here before the land was first plowed by early settlers, were granted rights to the natural resources that abound on our property.

Now, our Farm Gone Wild is home to an abundance of wildflowers, birds, bees, butterflies and other native animals which I enjoy filming and sharing on my blog www.tammierogers.blog

After starting out with a single bluebird house that we purchased at the local farm store, we now maintain a few dozen nest boxes around our fifty acre farm. Eastern Bluebirds and Tree Swallows use these boxes to raise up to three broods during the summer breeding season. House Wrens also use some of the boxes, especially those which are located close to brushy plants.

As an amateur wildlife photographer, I have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to get to know the various couples as they work together to raise and fledge their chicks. It’s hard not to become deeply attached to these birds that, day in and day out, in freezing rain or blistering heat dedicate nearly all of their energy to raising their young. It goes without saying, then, that I feel obligated to provide the best quality nesting places for these special birds.

I have purchased many different models of bird houses and have been immensely disappointed with the inferior quality of many of them. Each Spring we have had to replace a handful of the wooden nest boxes. Some lasted only one season before the wood cracked, the hinges failed, or screws rusted causing the sides to pull apart from each other. I found myself questioning the design of the boxes, including the fact that many of them have up-swinging doors for observation. That means that the actual nest and the eggs or the chicks can be easily disturbed by the steward who attempts to check on the status.

I decided to design a better bird house. Just a couple of days after hanging the prototype houses in and around our pastures, I observed Bluebird and Tree Swallow couples move in and successfully fledge their chicks a few weeks later. My husband and I decided that we should offer our uniquely designed bird houses to everyone.