Why Birds Need a Helping Hand: The Importance of Providing Nesting Materials

by Rhianne Holroyd February 24, 2025

There’s something truly magical about watching wild birds flitting through the garden, chirping away, and building their tiny homes. But have you ever stopped to think about how much effort goes into finding safe, sturdy materials for their nests? With natural habitats dwindling due to urban development, pollution, and climate change, birds are finding it harder than ever to gather what they need to build a secure home for their chicks. This is where we can step in to help!

Many people focus on feeding birds (which is fantastic!), but fewer realise just how crucial nesting materials are for their survival. Without proper nests, eggs and chicks are left vulnerable to predators, harsh weather, and even collapsing structures. Birds instinctively search for materials like twigs, feathers, moss, and animal fur, but in urban environments, these essentials can be scarce. By offering sustainable nesting materials, like repurposed cardboard, we can make a real difference in supporting our feathered friends, giving them a fighting chance to raise their young safely.

The best part? Helping birds with nesting doesn’t require fancy equipment or hours of effort. In fact, with a little creativity, you can repurpose things you’d otherwise throw away – like old cardboard boxes – into safe, sustainable nesting materials. Let’s dive into why this is so important and how you can make a real impact in your garden!

The Importance of Safe, Sustainable Nesting for Birds

Wild birds rely on strong, well-built nests to keep their eggs and hatchlings safe. Unfortunately, modern environments pose a lot of challenges when it comes to finding the right materials. Urbanisation has led to the removal of trees and hedgerows, which means fewer natural resources for birds to use. Even in rural areas, intensive farming and habitat destruction have left many birds struggling to find what they need. This lack of resources can lead to weak, unstable nests that fall apart too easily, putting young birds at serious risk.

Providing safe and sustainable nesting materials is about more than just convenience – it’s about ensuring the survival of many species. Birds need a range of textures and materials to create a sturdy, insulated nest. Some, like blackbirds, prefer mud and grass, while others, like blue tits, seek out soft materials like wool or moss to keep their nests cosy. By offering a variety of materials in your garden, you’re helping to support different bird species, encouraging biodiversity in your local area.

But not all materials are safe! Many birds unknowingly pick up synthetic fibres, plastic strips, or chemically treated wood shavings, which can be dangerous. These materials don’t break down naturally and can cause serious harm, from entanglement to poisoning. This is why using natural, biodegradable materials like recycled cardboard is a brilliant and safe alternative. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it’s also lightweight, easy to work with, and provides a soft lining for baby birds. Plus, it’s something we all have lying around the house, making it an accessible and budget-friendly way to help wildlife.

Preparing Recycled Cardboard for Safe Bird Nesting

One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to help birds build their nests is by repurposing cardboard. Unlike plastic-based materials, cardboard is biodegradable, soft, and safe for birds to use. Plus, it’s something that most of us have an abundance of – from old cereal boxes to delivery packaging. Here’s how to prepare it so that it’s perfect for your feathered visitors:

1. Choose the Right Cardboard – Stick to plain, uncoated cardboard, like that from egg cartons, toilet rolls, or brown packaging boxes. Avoid anything with glossy finishes, ink-heavy prints, or plastic coatings, as these can contain harmful chemicals that might be dangerous for birds.

2. Tear It into Small Strips – Birds need manageable pieces, so tear or cut your cardboard into thin strips, about 5-10cm long. This makes it easier for them to carry and weave into their nests.

3. Soften It Up – Cardboard can be a bit stiff, so dampening it slightly (not soaking!) can make it more pliable. Leave it to dry naturally, and it’ll be perfect for birds to use as bedding or structural support in their nests.

4. Store It in a Dry Place – To prevent mould or dampness, keep your prepared cardboard in a dry, airy spot until you’re ready to put it outside. A paper bag or a ventilated container works well.

5. Mix with Other Natural Materials – While cardboard is fantastic, birds love variety! Try mixing it with dried grass, pet fur (as long as it’s untreated), small twigs, or even coconut fibres to give them a diverse range of materials to choose from.

With just a few simple steps, you can turn your household waste into a life-saving resource for local birds. Now, let’s talk about when and where to leave these materials for the best results.

Where and When to Leave DIY Nesting Materials for Birds

Providing nesting materials is all about timing and placement. Birds start searching for nesting supplies well before they actually lay eggs, so knowing when and where to leave them is key to giving them a helping hand.

When to Leave Nesting Materials:

Early Spring (March-April) – This is prime nest-building season! Start leaving materials out as soon as you notice birds scouting your garden.
Late Summer (July-August) – Some birds have multiple broods, so they may need extra materials even after spring.
Autumn and Winter – While most nesting happens in spring, some species use nests for roosting in colder months, so having materials available year-round is always a bonus.

Where to Leave Them:

In a Basket or Feeder – An old hanging basket or a suet feeder (emptied of fat balls) can make a perfect holder for nesting materials. Birds can pick and choose what they need without the materials blowing away.
Tucked into Shrubs and Hedges – Placing small piles of materials in sheltered spots like hedgerows or under bushes can encourage shy birds to take advantage of them.
On Tree Branches – Lightly draping materials over low tree branches can make them easily accessible to birds flying by.
Near Bird Feeders – Birds already visit feeders regularly, so leaving nesting materials nearby increases the chances of them discovering and using them.

By strategically placing nesting materials and ensuring they’re available throughout the breeding season, you’ll be making a huge difference in supporting local bird populations.

Helping birds with their nesting needs is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to support wildlife in your garden. By offering safe, natural materials like recycled cardboard, you can ensure that birds have everything they need to build secure and comfortable homes for their young. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to repurpose household waste while giving back to nature.

If you’re passionate about supporting wild birds, why not go one step further? Providing food alongside nesting materials ensures that parent birds have the energy to care for their chicks. Check out our range of high-quality fat balls and bird supplies – a small purchase can make a big difference for your garden’s feathered visitors!