Simple tips to help nesting birds

● Keep THICK HEDGES or large bushes in the garden and avoid cutting them back early in spring.

● MUD is often used by many species – keeping a muddy patch in the garden will encourage martins and swallows, which rely on mud, but also thrushes and magpies that incorporate mud when building their nests.

● A pile of WELL ROTTED WOOD may encourage a song thrush to nest nearby, as it will use this to form its nest cup.

● Keep your eyes peeled for TELLTALE

ACTIVITY – birds regularly entering a particular bush, often carrying material, could be a sign that nesting is in progress. Similarly, if a bird flies out of a bush alarm calling, it’s a good indication that a nest is present.

Tree sparrows use feathers to insulate nests.

House martins use mud during construction.