Celebrate the return of our nesting bird species at the Massabesic Center and Wildlife Sanctuary by joining us for a fun-filled experience crafting your very own birdhouse!

Get hands on with power drills and rough pine boards in a safe family-friendly environment. Learn basic carpentry skills as you assemble pre-cut and pre-drilled kits suitable for a variety of species, including Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Black-capped Chickadees, and House Wrens.

You’ll learn how to attract these species to your backyard and how to promote successful nesting. We’ll teach you how to build and install the boxes, how to protect against predators and pests, and how to provide the best habitat for your preferred bird species. We’ll also provide resources, including up-close nest examples, to help you identify the birds that take up residence in your new birdhouse.

This hands-on activity will take place primarily indoors in our historic Broad Barn, located a few steps down the trail from the Massabesic Center’s main entrance. Sign in and receive your kit at the registration table at the main entrance. We’ll direct you to the activity based on your timeslot registration.

Dress for the weather, as the barn is not temperature controlled. Accommodations for persons with limited mobility, sensory concerns, or other accessibility needs can be provided if you contact Massabesic Center Director Kimmie Whiteman. The barn entrance has two steps that limit wheelchair access into the main space, but modified workstations can be provided upon request (please provide one week’s notice).

There are 60 birdhouse kits are available this year. Limit 1 birdhouse per family or residence. Walk-ins will be permitted as space allows, with birdhouses available only if supplies last.

Time slots for building experiences have been created to help manage construction station space limitations. Please select a timeslot below for your group’s birdhouse construction experience. Each family or residence should RSVP for only 1 ticket. RSVP Required by April 9, 2026.

Short, informal bird hikes will take place throughout the afternoon, if the weather allows. As interested groups form, Volunteer Joe Mahoney will lead 20-minute walks on the All Persons Trail in hopes of seeing Eastern Bluebirds and early migrants newly arrived from their spring migration display courtship and nesting behavior in the Massabesic Center’s hayfield and gardens. You’ll witness the sanctuary’s network of over 80 nest boxes in action! By attending this event, you and anyone you register on behalf of agree to NH Audubon’s Outdoor Education Program Liability Release & Agreement Waiver.

The Nature Lab, Nature Shop, Art Exhibit, gardens and trails will be open to all visitors throughout the event! Explore the center and sanctuary before or after you build your birdhouse or walk with Joe. Bathrooms and drinking fountains are available. For visitors interested in a more in-depth presentation about nesting birds and the NestWatch participatory science project, consider also signing up for the (adult-oriented) NestWatch Volunteer Training workshop in the morning.

Parking is available in the dirt lot directly in front of the center. Muddy conditions may be present; sturdy shoes are recommended. Close-toed shoes are suggested when working with carpentry materials.

Cover photo by Chris Kenney.