Second Nature For the Birds

M

ay is the month for nesting, at least if you are a bird. We hear about it each dawn as the birds announce their place in the world with enthusiastic chorus. More quietly, and throughout the day, they go about the serious business of finding a place to make a nest, and then beginning construction. There are many types of materials birds use for nests. Most nests are made from a mix of sticks, plant fibers, grass and mud. Some birds also use spider webs, snake skins, and soft materials, like cattail down or animal fur. Your family can help make your yard a good place to make a nest by providing other fibers birds can use to weave their nests or line them. Some of the most coveted nesting materials are yarn, strips of soft fabric, hair, wool and fur. Such fibers must be offered in short pieces, 3 to 8 inches long, so birds and their nestlings can’t become tangled in them. You can also

gather natural materials, like grasses, leaves, pine needles or feathers. These can be offered to your backyard birds in a number of ways. Suet feeders can be repurposed for spring by stuffing them with nest-building supplies. You can also use the plastic boxes that berries come in or mesh produce bags. Some people have hung wire whisks upside down in the trees and filled those with nest materials. You can use those things, or better yet, make the birds a nesting nest. This will give your children a better idea of what is involved in nest building. Many birds that make cup-shaped nests begin by weaving a supporting structure. They then pile nesting fibers and binding material on this framework. As the materials pile up, they squat in the middle as if

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they were taking a bath. They push down with their bellies, kick with their feet and fan their wings. Then they turn part way around and do it again. This packs the fibers and forms the cup shaped depression. The nest is then lined with fine materials that will hold the eggs and keep the nestlings snug and warm. Since you will be making a large nest, you will use different materials than those used by most birds. Your family can talk about the qualities that good nest-building materials must have: the fibers must be long enough to weave, and must be flexible enough to bend into the shape of your nest without breaking. Now, head out into the field to collect your materials. You can test any natural materials you find for length and flexibility. Next, twist your selections into a wreath. You can make it as big or small as you like. A loose, woven cross-hatching across the middle will complete your nesting nest. Now add your offerings for the birds. Avoid using hair or fur that has been chemically treated (like pet fur that has been treated for fleas) or grass clippings from chemically treated lawns. Also …a small public school, and it’s FREE. avoid dryer lint since it becomes Accepting Applications ...aNow small public school, compact and crumbly once wet. For Fall 2015 and it’s FREE. Yarn can be used to reinforce Grades K-6 (Surry) your nest, and yarn or twine can Grades 7 & 8 (Keene) be used to hang it. Choose a spot Now Accepting Visit our Website to apply online: www.surryvillagecharterschool.org where you often see birds, and Applications For Contact us with questions or schedule a tour: a place where your family will [email protected] 603-357-9700 Fall 2015 be able to see it from a window. Keep an eye out for birds coming Grades K-6 (Surry) to harvest your offerings!

Grades 7 & 8 (Keene)

Second Nature is submitted by the naturalists at Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center in West Brattleboro. Come take a walk on the trails, open to the public sunrise to sunset. For more information and current events, including Summer vacation camp for kids. www.beec.org. or call 802-257-5785



Visit our Website to apply online: www.surryvillagecharterschool.org Contact us with questions or schedule a tour: [email protected] 603-357-9700

Photo by Patti Smith

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