Birdfeeders

I know I should save this hint for spring, but I just came across a great idea that I don’t want to forget. In the spring, when we are trying to encourage the use of our birdhouses, offering nest building materials is always a good idea. Putting out short pieces of cotton string, straw, yarn, etc. are all good ideas, but I can hardly wait to try this idea! Buy a white cotton string mop head. Make sure none of the string is longer than 12-14 inches and cut apart any loops so all the strings hang as single strings. Then simple nail the mop head onto a fence post, deck post or any place that is easy to observe, but out in the open for birds to see. It is helpful if it is in a location that is easy for a bird to perch on. This mop should be visited by many local nest builders including orioles and other songbirds as they work hard to pull loose the individual strings.