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Kid-friendly spring project: Bird Nest Helper
By Jeremiah | April 12, 2010 | 4 comments / Comment now
Everything in this photo is cool, except the dryer lint. Read on to find out what to put in your Nest Helper, and what to leave out!
Cut scraps of fabric, yarn, string, and ribbon into short strips (3-4 inches in length should be safe). Stuff them into one of those mesh bags from tangelos or satsuma oranges and hang the big ball of stuff in a tree. Voila - instant nesting materials for local birds!
Other items to consider for your supply cache include dried grass, spanish moss, dog or human hair, pine needles, feathers, and thin twigs. (Thanks to Erin for letting us know that dryer lint is a no-no - despite its recommendation in numerous other sources, it might contain chemicals and doesn't hold up in weather; the latter means it could result in a weak nest after some spring weather.)
We ate Satsumas like fiends this winter, so Zella and Jenni made a few bags of nesting materials using this method. We always have scraps of fabric and plenty of yarn around, and Jenni even fashioned one materials holder by wrapping thin-gauge wire around a large wooden egg and then somehow separating the two. With a little more polish you'd be on to a cheap springtime gift or favor for kids you know to fill with their own household and yard nesting finds.
Other items to consider for your supply cache include dried grass, spanish moss, dog or human hair, pine needles, feathers, and thin twigs. (Thanks to Erin for letting us know that dryer lint is a no-no - despite its recommendation in numerous other sources, it might contain chemicals and doesn't hold up in weather; the latter means it could result in a weak nest after some spring weather.)
We ate Satsumas like fiends this winter, so Zella and Jenni made a few bags of nesting materials using this method. We always have scraps of fabric and plenty of yarn around, and Jenni even fashioned one materials holder by wrapping thin-gauge wire around a large wooden egg and then somehow separating the two. With a little more polish you'd be on to a cheap springtime gift or favor for kids you know to fill with their own household and yard nesting finds.
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great idea, except the dryer lint. not only does it contain chemicals from clothing, detergents and dryer sheets, it also turns to mush when it gets wet--not good if it’s the “glue” holding together a nest.
Thanks so much for letting us know, Erin - I’ve edited the post and am running outside now!
The chemicals are an interesting question. Do you think it’s an issue even if you use the more natural detergents (7th Generation, etc.)? We have composted our dryer lint for years without that ever occurring to us. Let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions on that.
Long time fan of the site...but wanted to share a comment about the bird nest helper. A good friend of mine is a wildlife biologist, and an expert in birds. She mentioned that there is an issue even with using the string and ribbon as it can get caught around legs causing loss of circulation, or possibly even tethering the chicks to the nest so they can’t fly away. Don’t want to spoil the fun, it sounds like a great idea, but just be careful!
Erin, we welcome fun-spoilers in the interests of wildlife! Do you have any more information, though? We had read that keeping things short (3-4 inches) would prevent string from being hazardous. Is your friend/expert’s position that there is NO length of such materials that would be safe?