Story by David Saidnawey • Photos by Patrick Olivero
It’s early spring, which means it’s time for your backyard birds to get ready for nesting season. Birds start looking for appropriate nest sites in early March and will raise babies from April through August, depending on the species.
You can help birds during this busy time of year by putting out an assortment of nesting materials for them to use. This will not only help the birds; it also gives you a front-row seat to watch the nesting process in action. Here’s a fun project Wild Birds Unlimited recently sponsored at the Middletown Public Library to kick off Makers Month that you and your family can easily do at home. It’s a great way for kids to learn about nesting and get more involved with nature.
Step 1: Find a tray to hold the nesting materials. We recommend using recycled berry containers because they have drainage holes in the bottom.
Step 2: Punch a hole in each of the top corners and tie an 18-inch piece of yarn onto each corner. The yarn will be the hanger for the nesting materials when you’re done.
Step 3: Cut a “roof” out of a cardboard milk container and fold it in half. Punch holes in the four corners and run the yarn through the holes.
Step 4: Tie the four pieces of yarn together to make a hanging basket.
Step 5: Decorate your nest materials tray using colored markers and stickers.
Step 6: Fill the trays with nesting materials you gather from your yard. Appropriate nesting materials include dried grass, twigs, dried leaves, moss and fluff from tree seedpods. Do not use string or yarn. It can potentially get wrapped around birds’ feet. Also, don’t use dryer lint (it contains perfumes that are harmful to birds) or pet hair if your pet has been treated for fleas.
Step 7: Hang your trays outside. The best spots are in quiet areas of the yard, away from your bird feeders. Make sure you place it in a spot where you can watch the birds use it.
David Saidnawey is the owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Middletown. He has been an avid lover of birds and nature for more than 15 years.
