Thanks to the efforts of New Hope-Solebury student Chloe McNabb, the birds and bees in her neighborhood spent the summer safely nested under cover. McNabb, a Girl Scout, tackled the intricate woodworking project of building birdhouses and bee hotels. Kate Fishman nailed down the story for the New Hope-Lambertville Patch.

The idea for these shelters came after McNaab’s conversation with Diane Smith, Director of Education for the Bucks County Audubon Society. Smith highlighted the region’s most threatened species — bluebirds, screech owls, and solitary bees.

McNabb, buzzing with enthusiasm, began construction, which lasted most of the winter.

The bee hotels were particularly intricate. Holes of various diameters were required to allow entry and exit for bees of different sizes. That meant a lot of drilling and changing bits.

McNabb successfully constructed 24 bluebird houses, 12 screech owl houses, and 28 bee hotels. They were hung in various locations in Buckingham, New Hope, and Solebury. She placed the bird residences in time for spring nesting season.

“It was very rewarding,” McNaab said. “I felt so proud because all of my hard work had paid off and it was enabling the local wildlife to thrive.”

More on these ambitious woodworking projects is at the New Hope-Lambertville Patch.