Birds Birds and their nestsand their nests

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Why do birds have nests?Why do birds have nests?

They need a place that is safeThey need a place that is safe They need a place where there is the They need a place where there is the

kind of food they likekind of food they like

so they can lay so they can lay their eggstheir eggs

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So where do birds build their nests?

But some birds make their nests in different places

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Some nest in holes in trees or

in walls

Some nest on the ground

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Some build nests of mud

Some nest in holes in the

ground

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Some don’t build nests at all

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How can we help birds to build How can we help birds to build good nests?good nests?

Leave some of the materials they need

moss

twigs

dead leaves

dry grass

wool 77

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

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We can make some nesting places for them

Blue tits like this

one Robins like this one

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Birds use bird boxes to lay their eggs in spring

Can you think why birds need boxes in autumn and winter?

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This is a special wall that has been built at Gouthwaite for birds

It has lots of holes

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And this is a Sand martin which uses the holes for its nest.

Holes like this …

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What have we learned?What have we learned?

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Birds build nests so they can lay their eggs safely

- in trees

- in holes

- on the ground

- in buildings

Birds build in lots of different places

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

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