I came across this idea a while ago and I have been meaning to try it for some time. I regularly feed the birds that visit my garden but I have never really encouraged them to stay and set up home.
It’s simple, all you need is a bit of wire mesh (old or new it doesn’t matter), stuffing material (moss, animal hair, lint that has built up in your tumble drier) and a pair of pliers.
You start with a piece of wire mesh approximately 30x80cm. Lay it down flat and start piling the stuffing material onto one half, (who would have thought a moulting Labrador would be so useful…. thanks Molly!) Once you have got a thick layer of stuffing (about an inch is sufficient) fold the wire over and secure the three open sides so everything stays in place.
Next roll into a tube and shape one end to close it off. Secure the sides and end together. I used a piece of wire like a needle and tread to sow everything together. I found the end took a little folding rather like the wrapping on a chocolate orange to gather it all together at one point.
It then comes to the shaping of the other end which is going to provide the opening for the birds. You can vary the size of this depending on the types of birds you want to attract.
I will definitely be making more of these over the winter months and I will shape different sized opening to hopefully attract a range of different birds. Fingers crossed that something decides to take residence next spring!
