Make a sweet bird’s nest for the garden
This Spring make a bird’s nest decoration from fresh vines. Let them dry in a bowl for about a week and they look more real than the ones you can purchase from the store..
Christy Morrow’s first try making a nest
Christy Morrow says, “A special “thank you” to Flea Market Gardening for showing us how to make a bird’s nest. Since I love nests so much I have to say this was my favorite tutorial of all!
Following the easy instructions, I’ve completed my first one and I’m so thrilled with how it turned out. This was using last year’s Honeysuckle vines, so it will be much easier using this year’s new growth vines. I’ll never have to buy a nest again!
Yesterday when I received a shipment of plants I ordered from a catalog I had an idea. Two of the plants were in quart containers. The shippers put “stuff,” a wood fiber packing material called excelsior, around the tiny plants to protect them. I removed the “stuff” and was going to throw it away when I noticed it looked like a bird nest!! I formed it a bit more into a circle, added a little moss and an egg and put it into my standing scoop. Voila!”
HOW to make a bird’s nest decoration
1) Start with a sturdy bowl at least 3 inches in diameter and 3 inches deep. For this size bowl use 4 or 5 Virginia Creeper vines about 3 feet long, freshly cut; use the slender ends of the vines. You can also add in the string like vines of morning glory, freshly cut.
2) Strip all the leaves, roll into spirals while still green and flexible. Line interior of the bowl making sure to cover the bottom and all sides. Tuck down any ends that poke over the rim. Make two or more layers and gently press sides downward.
3) Let dry 7~10 days You can use a 2nd smaller bowl inside to help hold the shape.
When I visited my daughter recently, I saw small nests tucked into some of the container gardens in front of shops. They each had a few small river stones for ‘eggs.’ So cute.
Billie Hayman’s cute little nests
Sandy Frederick’s nest with ‘eggs’
Add some eggs!
Use:
- Soap eggs
- Rocks that look like eggs
- Wooden eggs
- Small plastic eggs
- Fimo or clay eggs
Finding and observing real nests
See the guidelines from the Audubon Society, below, about removing migratory bird laws below as some nests should not be moved. Of course, don’t move an active nest with eggs or nestlings.
Myra Glandon’s new occupant
Myra Glandon from Prospect, Ohio, asks, “Does anyone ever find birds nests that have fallen in a storm? This is one way I like to use them to create a surprise in my garden. I watch for cute birds cheap and do this… I set them among boulders, on the shed window sill….”
Kirk Willis nest on a ladder trellis
Kirk Willis A little bird nesting jar my wife bought me. It hangs above my ladder trellis. Occupied!
Sydney Minor says, “My granddaughter, Hannah and I found 2 nests this week that had fallen from trees in our awful weather. I followed your nest in 2 bowls strategy, and it is working. I’ll strengthen them somehow, and Hannah loves the idea we can save the nest. She has little feathered friends who are finding a home. This is the first time I have waited for those darn Virginia Creeper vines with anticipation.”
Wanda Clark’s purple finch nest
Wanda Clark, from Hebron Estates, KY· says, “A pair of Purple Finches made their next on the top of my wreath on the front door. I took this photo from inside. This is a first for me…”
Birds & the Law Guidelines from the Audubon Society
When is it safe to remove nests around buildings?
- Never remove an active nest that has eggs or young, as they are protected by federal law.
- Once young have fledged (or left the nest), you can remove a nest
- Some species of songbirds will nest two or three times from spring to early fall, so by cleaning the desired nesting sites or boxes you are enhancing the likelihood of nests around your property.
- The exception is nests of House (English) Sparrows, Starlings and Pigeons which are not native to North America.