Feathering Nests

It's almost time to take down your bird feeders if you live in the Upper Valley (the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recommends you don't feed birds between April 1 and December 1 since it can draw bears in), but it's also time for birds to start building nests.

If you have small amounts of leftover yarn, stuffing, or fabric, the birds might have a use for them. After reading many birders' forums, I've distilled these guidelines:

• Use natural fibers only.
• Cut yarn into pieces no longer than 6 inches (to avoid tangled-up birds).
• Cut fabric into strips no larger than 1/2 by 6 inches.
• Lay your offerings out on bushes and trees, or put them in a meshy hanging container such as a suet cage.

Note that dryer lint is not recommended. If the nest never got wet it might be fine, but it retains water a long time (leading to cold nests) and is crumbly after drying. Instead, use lint to stuff pincushions, or make it into art.

If you want more nesting-promotion advice without wading through forums, visit the National Wildlife Federation and All About Birds.