birds nesting materials

Hi Jules, I use to put out cotton wool but Ian advices not to as the birds can get tangled. If you can sheeps wool is best to put out.

Thanks for chipping in Jason, yep, avoid cotton wool. Go for pet fur, sheep wool or even the fluff from tumble driers!

If anyone wants horse hair or sheep's wool let me know and you can have some for free.  

No worries Ian.

Northernlass, is that including free p&p too :)

Now you're taking advantage ;-)   an sae must be cheaper than buying nesting material.    I've likely got enmough to supply the whole of the uk bird population with cosy bedding  :-)

Well its worth a try ;) wonder what the postman will think when horse hair is popping out of the envelope?

If you buy sheeps wool from garden centre or where ever, its expensive! May as well go walking through the country and grab the hair from the fence that caught it!

Heck I could post a sheep for the right price ;-)

Sheeps wool and tea in one delivery :)

I thought about taking wool off a fence as I went past it the other day but decided not to incase it would deprive the birds near the field their nesting material.

Hi everyone

Thanks for this thread as I've been trying to find out how to put out nesting material and the right types for a while now.  So, I've registered on this forum so I can learn about all the other great ideas for helping out our birds!

I was thinking of trying cotton wool but I'm glad I didn't now!  I live in Essex and there really isn't an abundance of sheep's wool lying about in this area and the local garden centres etc. don't sell it either.  I don't have any pets (I spend sooo much money on bird food I couldn't afford a dog LOL) or know of anyone who does so that's out too.

Any ideas of suitable alternatives?  I've read that it mustn't be anything synthetic.  If the offer of posting sheeps wool is still open then I'll gladly send the SAE?

THanks