We decided to build some new aviaries to house my ever-growing collection of birds. The idea is to move the finches to a lovely sunny spot away from the cockatiels and budgies to give them peace and quiet. The area we chose had a concrete base at one side, and walls on two sides. I wanted four aviaries made to allow me split some of the more delicate varieties off on their own. The concrete base allowed me two flights 3’ wide by 12’ long and one 6’ wide by 15’ long. The other flight goes against a wall and is 3’ wide by 21’ long. (Click here for technical notes.)

The 'site' before starting.

The first job was to clear the site and dig the foundations down one side so we hired a digger and the driver did a marvelous job in exposing the existing drains to allow us to tie in to them. Next job was to tie the drains in and lay concrete foundations for the blockwork. During this time rain stopped outside work but we used the time to make up the flight panels, net them and treat and stain. The purchase of a staple gun (www.screwfix.com)  made life so much easier and both the wood suppliers (www.mhsouthern.co.uk) and the wire suppliers (www.moncaster.co.uk) were very prompt with their deliveries. When it dried up all of the walls had to be pointed both to tidy and make secure for the birds.

A JCB made light work of  removing topsoil.	After some excavation, ready for drains.

The work then moved to the long aviary. The base was filled with soil to almost the height of the blocks and the side and roof panels were all screwed into place and the small safety porch fitted at the end. The gaps along the sandstone walls were all filled in to prevent escapes. We are fortunate that we were able to save an original cotoneaster bush so all we had to do was plant some grass seed and a slow-growing clematis for the moment.

The concrete foundations and some of the blockwork in place	Securing the panels to the wall.

Another fortunate item was an opening in the wall, about 42" square,  which leads into an outbuilding so we have fitted a large inside roost and feeding area with a fold-down flap out into the flight. There is a ledge of about 18” deep which will give protection from the elements too. A second coat of stain, the addition of bath and branches, and it will be ready for occupation.

Fitting the new door in place of  a window.	Pointing round the hatches

The other flights were a little more tricky as we had to knock through a very thick sandstone wall to make three access holes to the inside flight and feeding area. It will be a great place for the more exotic finches because heat will be readily available and loads of room for breeding boxes. We will also had to take a window out and replace it with a door with glass to allow me access to the outside flights. This wasn't as bad as the small holes because there used to be a door there originally.

Inside view of the hatches.	Outside view of the hatches.

I am having one safety porch with three doors off , one into each flight. The flights are filled with soil and planted up with grass and shrubs. All of course have a bird bath and some natural branch perches. First the blockwork was filled with a layer of gravel to help drainage and then topped up with soil. This was done before the panels were erected to make it easier to reach.

The base partially filled with gravel.	Some of the panels in place.

Putting up square aviary panels in an area which does not have a square wall is quite a challenge but with endless patience and a deal of skill it can be done. The gaps were filled with expanding foam and then pointed over with cement. By the time it is all stained it will look just perfect. On the hatches, there are two different systems, two have sliding doors and the other has a flap down door. Both ways work well.
The grass seed is through the ground and some slow growing shrubs and fancy grasses have been planted in the flights so it looks well. Each flight has a terracotta saucer in it as a bird bath and apart from a few nasturtium seeds all is complete.

The interior flights almost complete.	Framework erected.

It has taken quite a lot of work and a great deal of inventiveness on the part of my dear husband to complete the aviaries and for that I thank him. There is probably method in my madness as I will probably need him to do more in the future, as well as running repairs. He was the one who pointed out that it would be a great idea to incorporate the buildings we had already to give a homely look to the flights. Well done, John, I think I will hire you out to build aviaries for others!!