How to make a nesting bundle

Encourage birds to set up home in your garden by providing simple building materials.

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Published: February 19, 2015 at 9:03 am

When putting together the nesting bundle, avoid putting including human hair (too thin, poses a risk of entanglement) or pet hair (may have residues of flea treatment) in the bundle.

For more ideas on how to help your garden birds during the nesting season, check out our guide to nestboxes, a step-by-step guide to making your own garden bird nestbox, and how to garden for nesting birds.

Illustrations by Alan Batley

1

Mix together dry grass, fluffy seed heads, straw, feathers, wool and thread.

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2

Cut the end off a forked stick. Wrap the material around the stick. Secure with wool.

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3

Add more layers until a large bundle is formed (keep the lengths of the wool and string short).

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4

Hang the bundle in a tree. Remove any loose wool threads as the bundle is depleted.

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Main image: A female blackbird collects nesting material. © Dagmar Schelske/EyeEm/Getty

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