How to make a nesting bundle

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

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Sarah McPherson

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

Sarah McPherson

Features editor, BBC Wildlife Magazine

Sarah is features editor for BBC Wildlife Magazine. She has been on the title for more than a decade, and in previous lives has also been the magazine’s section editor, acting deputy editor and production editor. Sarah commissions scientists, writers and photographers from across the globe, and has worked with some of the world’s most renowned wildlife experts. She also regularly writes features - on topics ranging from birding in Colombia to the plight of wildlife rangers - and other content for both the magazine and the website.

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

© Nature Picture Library/Getty