Building with Nature in Mind: Protecting Wildlife While Building Custom Homes

At Caulkins Homes, we believe building a custom home is more than designing walls, rooms, and living spaces—it’s about honoring the land it’s built on. Every home site has its own story, and part of our responsibility as custom home builders is to protect and preserve the natural environment as much as possible during construction.

Recently, while building a new home here in Eastern Connecticut, we had a meaningful reminder of this commitment.

A Surprise Visitor on the Jobsite

Last week, our team discovered that a bird had built a nest inside the home as framing and sheathing progressed. Instead of removing the nest or leaving the bird’s safety to chance, we carefully relocated it to a proper nesting box and mounted it just outside the side mudroom entry.

The nesting box provides the bird with a safe and suitable home, while allowing our construction work to continue without disruption. It was a small adjustment that had a big impact—not just on the bird, but also on our team’s sense of stewardship for the property.

“When we found the nest, we knew right away that the right thing to do was protect it,” said Patrick Caulkins, Project Manager. “Building someone’s dream home doesn’t have to mean displacing nature—we can do both, and this birdhouse is a perfect example of that.”

Why Nest Relocation Matters

When a bird chooses a building site for its nest, it’s usually because it feels safe and sheltered. But once construction begins, that nest can be disturbed by noise, dust, and activity. By moving the nest into a birdhouse:

• We increased the bird’s chance of success. Proper nesting boxes protect eggs and chicks from weather and predators better than exposed, temporary locations.

• We minimized disruption. Relocating the nest allowed construction to continue without putting the wildlife at risk.

• We helped preserve the ecosystem. Birds play a vital role in controlling insects, spreading seeds, and maintaining balance in the environment surrounding the home site.

Building Homes That Honor Nature

While it might seem like a small gesture, this is part of a much larger philosophy we carry into every project. Building a custom home doesn’t mean sacrificing the natural character of the property—it means integrating it thoughtfully.

Here are a few of the conservation practices we prioritize:

• Minimal land disturbance. We carefully plan driveways, foundations, and grading to preserve as many trees and natural features as possible.

• Sustainable building materials. From engineered lumber to high-efficiency insulation options, we make choices that reduce waste and environmental impact.

• Wildlife awareness. From birds to pollinators, we remain mindful of the species that call our job sites home.

A Home That Feels Like It Belongs

For us, stories like the nesting bird are reminders of why we do what we do. A custom home should not only meet your family’s lifestyle but also feel like it belongs to the land. By building with nature in mind, we help create homes that are beautiful, functional, and environmentally responsible.

At Caulkins Homes, our clients can feel confident knowing their dream home is built with care—for them and for the natural world around it.