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Nest Patterns for Wildlife Rescues - updated July 2023
CAT NEST patterns!



"I volunteer for a our local SPCA's Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Group.  When folks bring in orphaned or injured wildlife (birds, ducks, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, opossums, anything!), we have volunteer transporters who pick up the animals and deliver them to volunteer wildlife rehabilitators who mend and raise the animals and then release them back out (there are are few who are unable to be released due to severe injuries such as blindness, lameness, etc.)  This is an ALL volunteer, NON-paid group. We need crocheters and knitters to make small, tightly stitched birds nests, which we use to hold the very young hatchling birds that need to stay warm until their feathers come in.  These nests are from the size of a half-soda can, up to a size of a preemie hat.  You can make up any pattern where you crochet a flat circle using single crochet (increasing the number of stitches with each row so that the circle doesn't curl, and then when it's about 3 - 5 inches across, you continue to single crochet but do NOT add on any stitches.  This will build the "wall" of the hat that stands straight up. This is a great way to use up scrap yarn, as those naked little babies don't care WHAT  color nest they are in!  It's best if you use yarn that's not too fuzzy as their toes tend to get snagged on the fuzz. 
This is one of the smaller nests, plus she rolled down the edges for the photo.  Cute, huh? We put paper towel pieces in the bottoms because they poop after every feeding and it's easier to pull out the paper towel and put in a clean one, that to put them in a clean nest a dozen times a day. Kind of like a diaper.  We rescue about a dozen or more baby birds every day!  Some are a lot more "naked" and "ugly" than these fellas, and they need the nests even more!!! 

 Join us on our "Bev's Country Cottage Neighborhood" FACEBOOK group to learn more about charity crafting!  ♥

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We now have 5 places who all need tightly-made nests:
  (If you know of others, or updates to these below, please EMAIL BEV to let me know their details, what's needed, webpage, contact info etc)

Gina Scandariato

542 10th Avenue
New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Is in need of nests from small to larger for brand new baby bunnies and more!  She is currently using soft blankets:

(From Gina "
Hello! I found your amazing organization accidentally on a New York State Department of Environmental Rehabber Facebook page. I am a licensed Rehabber who specializes in Eastern Cottontails. I work full time as a Registered Nurse and do private rehab out of my home. Since March I have already cared for almost 200 Cottons on my own, clearly I never sleep or rest. But that’s ok, these babies need me. I was hoping to be added to your list for crocheted bunny nests! I was so excited when I saw them! Amazing work! And so practical and helpful for me! .... I would love to be considered! I’m one of inly 4 private rehabbers on Long Island and these nests would help immensely!")





bunnies


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Added March 2019

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue is a wonderful organization and they can use your knitted or crocheted nests. Click on the link for their Facebook page and more information. From their FB page: "We at CWR are dedicated to caring for the animals who fall through the cracks of traditional rescues. We strive to take in the unwanted, unloved, abused and forgotten animals in society. We are working on building a new larger facility where we can educate people on the plights of these animals and form meaningful relationships with them by visiting."  Mail nests to:

CWR
Po box 1484 
Indian trail NC 28079

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Virgina Beach SPCA Wildlife Program
Attn: Wildlife
3040 Holland Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23453

"Thanks so much for sharing our need of wildlife nests to your visitors.  We care for over 3500 wildlife per year and these nests are invaluable to us. "


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Address friom website Sept 2017

Wild Baby Rescue
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

14 Grouse Mountain Road
Blairstown, NJ 07825
email - Hope Davison
908-272-3566
http://www.wildbabyrescue.org/
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OTHER NEEDS for animals
Wildlife Response, Inc
Deborah Peters
207 Harbor Drive
Hampton VA 23661 USA

E-mail: info@wildliferesponse.org
757-543-7000
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildlife-Response-Inc/159237695990
http://www.wildliferesponse.org/
Does not need NESTS currently (Jan 2021)
BUT... "What we do need are hammocks and hanging sacks for the lareger animals like raccoons and opossums."



PATTERNS you can use:

baby bunnies

CROCHETED Artificial Bird Nest

Several yards of Worsted weight yarn.  Hold 2 or 3 strands together for a TIGHT stitch!

Size H hook
Starting ring:  Crochet 3 chains using 2 or even 3 strands of yarn held together, and slip stitch last chain to first chain to make a loop or ring.

Round 1: Chain 2 (this counts as your first “stitch), work between 10 – 15 single crochets into th ring (depending on what thickness yarn you are using).  Slip stitch the last single crochet to the top stitch in the chain 2 that started this round.
Round 2: Chain 2. Single crochet into each of the next two stitches, then do 2 single crochet’s into the next stitch, single crochet into the next two stitches, then 2 single crochet’s in the the next stitch. And on and on around the circle. Slip stitch your last single crochet into the top of the chain 2 that started this round.
Round 3, 4, 5, 6, and on: Repeat Round 2 over and over, until your circle is at least 3” big. You can make your nest with a bottom as small as 3” big, up to maybe 6” big.

Once you have made the bottom of the nest from 3” to 6” big, from all rounds thereafter, crochet ONE single crochet into each stitch. You will see your “sides” begin to form. Crochet until the sides are about 2 – 3” high. Bind off and weave in loose ends

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KNITTED Artificial Bird Nest
Directions:
On size 5 dpn’s cast on 54 stitches using 2 or 3 strands of yarn so the nests are tightly knit and will stand up in a bowl shape on their own! (divide sts up into 18 sts/needle). Work in knit (stockingette is automatic on dpn’s) stitch for approximately 3 inches. Begin decreasing for the crown as follows:
Next row: *K 7, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 6, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 5, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Nest row: *K 4, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 3, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 2, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Next row: *K 1, k 2 tog* repeat to end
Clip off yarn leaving a tail of about 6 inches.
Using yarn needle, slide yarn needle under all stitches on needles, and draw tight to close up the end. Knot

Make sure the nest can stand up in a bowl shape on it's own!

 Another knitted pattern to use:
http://www.nativesongbirdcare.org/uploads/How_to_Make_Knit_Nests_.pdf

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LOOM KNITTED NESTS
copyright Beverly A. Qualheim 2008, 2019
These must be very tightly knitted.
Using a newborn sized loom, and 2 - 3 strands of worsted weight or rug yarn held together, wrap the loom 3 times around. 
Now lift 1 wrap over 2 (double stitch) around. 
Wrap again so there are 3 wraps. 
Continue lifting 1 wrap over 2 wraps until nest is about 3 inches from first row.

Remove using gathering method like you would for a hat. Weave in ends of yarn to hide.
Push the top down a little to make it nest like.


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* © COPYRIGHT: All content is copyrighted to original creators. You may direct LINK to pages, but you may not post patterns anywhere in any media form. Any items made from patterns © to Beverly Qualheim may be sold, but please make one for charity too. Do not sell items from patterns copyrighted to other designers on bevs.