Birds and their nests

1. Birds and their nests

2. Why do birds have nests? so they can lay their eggs • They need a place that is safe • They need a place where there is the kind of food they like

3. So where do birds build their nests? But some birds make their nests in different places

4. Some nest on the ground Some nest in holes in trees or in walls

5. Some nest in holes in the ground Some build nests of mud

6. Some don’t build nests at all

7. How can we help birds to build good nests? Leave some of the materials they need twigs dead leaves moss wool dry grass feathers

8. We can leave places that they might like • Trees with branches and holes • Old buildings like barns and sheds • Some untidy places with shrubby plants

9. We can make some nesting places for them Blue tits like this one Robins like this one

10. Birds use bird boxes to lay their eggs in spring Can you think why birds need boxes in autumn and winter?

11. This is a special wall that has been built at Gouthwaite for birds It has lots of holes

12. Holes like this … And this is a Sand martin which uses the holes for its nest.

13. What have we learned?

14. Birds build nests so they can lay their eggs safely Birds build in lots of different places - in trees - in holes - on the ground - in buildings Birds use different materials for nests twigs, feathers, wool, leaves, moss and mud We can help birds by leaving places and materials they need by making some boxes or special walls for them to nest