Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

Apart from food it's always a good idea, especially around this time of year, to put out material for birds to use to build their nests. It is a great way of encouraging them to your garden too.

I've always just broken off small twigs for them to use and put them in a pile somewhere in the garden, but I'm sure there is other better materials that would be used for the nest. Does anyone have any tips?

If anybody at your house, cuts thier own hair, put that our for them it also seems to go well.

Thats what I was going to say! If you have any pets; like rabbits or guinea pigs, you could maybe put out some hay for them.
Also, do you get swallows/swift/martins near where you live? If so, you could put out some wet mud for them, and you may even be lucky, they might build their nest on the side of your house!