I finally bought a real bandsaw (Rikon 14″) and it has been a revelation. I can take raw chunks of lumber/logs and make my own usable boards! I cannot drive down a country road now without constantly scanning for downed trees from which to snipe material. THis birdhouse is from a moldy rotten chunk of Sycamore (maybe). There was a lot of figuring in this wood that really pops.

Multiple coats of spar varnish should hold together for a couple of seasons.