Want to encourage bird life in the Yachats area? Then join a “Christmas Bird House Celebration and Workshop” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.
That’s when SWIFTY — Swallows in Flight to Yachats — will lead participants in assembling kit homes for swallows or chickadees. The boxes can double as bluebird homes for those living in the Willamette Valley.
The wooden house kits cost $20 each; assembled boxes will be available for sale to the public, too. Those attending need to buy a box, or donate $20 to SWIFTY. Pole mounts for swallow boxes are an additional $5. The boxes can also be attached to the side of a building.
The workshop’s location is on Yachats River Road, at an address given to people making reservations.
The workshop is a fundraiser to support SWIFTY’s work in encouraging bird-friendly environments in the region. The organization is led by Yachats residents Jim Welch and Wally Orchard, who installed 54 new nesting boxes for tree and violet-green swallows around town and up the Yachats River valley this year. Welch singled out supporter Jerry Kimmel and Copeland Lumber for their generosity in aiding the Christmas workshop.
To reserve a bird box and/or a spot at the workshop, contact Welch (970-217-4424; jameswelch1009@gmail.com) or Orchard (541-606-0055; wallyorchard@outlook.com). Both phone numbers accept text messages.
