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Home Made Bird Nesting Materials
You can attract more wild birds by adding nesting materials in your yard – of course birds will need a proper place to build their nest too, such as trees, brush or thicket. In fact, there’s a better chance of attracting a greater variety of species, as many birds do not frequent bird feeders, or use birdhouses.
Commercial bird nesting materials are available in many different packages, like balls, wreaths, and baskets. You can make your own nest ball for next to nothing, by using items found around the house. Dryer lint works well, combined with yarn strings, and even pet hair. Mosses used for container decor are a favorite as well. Simply gather materials and place in a mesh bag, like the kind found in the produce department at the grocery store. Hang from a tree limb or somewhere where birds can see it easily.
This nest ball was a huge hit with our birds. The hair is from my horse’s tail, and the birds went to town with it! After 2 days, we could see where the hair had been pulled through the bag. Unfortunately, we can’t find the nests because we have so many trees!
- Bird Accessories, Bird Houses, Decorative Bird Houses, Nesting Material, Uncategorized, Unique Birdhouses
Hang Nest Material with Decorative Bird Houses
Want to entice more birds around your place? If houses just aren’t getting the action you had hoped for, try adding nesting materials nearby. Although not all birds use decorative bird houses, all will search out and gather some type of material for nest building. You’ll have a greater chance of seeing occupied birdhouses, and attracting more species.
Some common types of nest materials found in nature include; grasses, pine needles, weed stems, twigs, bark, leaves, wood chips, moss, feathers, woven plant fibers lined with thistle or milkweed down, rootlets, and mud.
Man made nesting materials (which you can put together at home) include; cotton, yarn strings, feathers, dryer lint, decorative mosses, and pet hair. A mesh produce bag works great to secure and hang the bundle of material. We made our own little sack using horse tail hair and dryer lint, and within days…the ball was shredded! In amazement, our neighbor, even asked “What was that?”
Help both cavity dwelling birds and non-cavity dwellers to thrive with use of birdhouses and nesting material. Please help house the birds!
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Bird Accessories for Better Backyard Birding
Backyard Birding has come a long way, moving into one of mainstream’s biggest hobbies.
The connection with nature is a huge relief and “de-stressor” from the everyday activities, and hustle-and-bustle for many folks.
The good news is there are some great bird accessories designed to enrich your birding experiences and help feathered friends to thrive as well.
Nesting material, for example, may attract birds who don’t use birdhouses (non-cavity dwelling birds). You’ll have a better chance of seeing more species, and fledglings, just by adding this simple accessory. It does not even have to be store-bought, you can make your own from dryer lint, pet hair, cotton yarns and string, mosses and things of that nature. Just collect, roll in a ball and place in a mesh bag to hang from a tree or limb.
Squirrel baffles are another excellent (and mandatory) bird accessory if you’ve got squirrels in your yard. Baffles let you turn any bird feeder into a squirrel-proof bird feeder when used properly. Many also work as weather guards too, saving seed from snow and rain. Hanging baffles should be one-third larger than the feeder, and placed at least eight feet from any possible “launching spot” for squirrels. Pole-mounted baffles need to be at least four feet from the ground, and again, eight feet from any possible launching spot. You’ll save birdseed and money with use of a squirrel baffle.
Bird accessories also make lasting and excellent gifts for the nature-lover on your list. Appreciated and actually used; what more could you ask for in a decent gift?