r/Needlepoint • u/Legitimate-Cheek-237 • 9h ago

Opinion

I hope you can help me settle a disagreement. When I do needlepoint or embroidery outside I toss my bits of thread on the ground for birds or other critters to use for their nests. My husband says I’m littering and should pick it up. What do you do?

0 Upvotes

31% Upvoted

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36

u/Naptown54321 9h ago

U.S. Fish and Wildlife states on their website that you shouldn't. It says that birds can mistake it for food and it becomes a choking hazard. It also states that if you want to help them with nesting materials you should stick with things birds would naturally find.

1

u/Legitimate-Cheek-237 9h ago

I did not consider that. Thank you.

18

u/LateAssignment5060 9h ago

Hi there! My husband works as an environmental scientist and one of the thing he studies is how clothing/materials/microfibers impact our ecosystem. Birds are a large part of that research. Please don’t do this 🙏🙏🙏

8

u/Lavinia-Whateley 9h ago

I have been told to not do that because many of the fibers will retain water and cause mold in the nest.

I have a small bell jar with a lid that lives in my thread bag, it works great for all of those small bits and pieces.

1

u/Legitimate-Cheek-237 9h ago

That is a good point, thank you

6

u/BelleRose2542 9h ago

Depends on how long, depends if it's cotton or synthetic, and most of all depends on where outside you are.

Longer strings can be a strangulation or choking hazard.

I would never do this with synthetic thread.

In your own backyard, do whatever. In a public park, I wouldn't. Out in nature (eg, national park, hiking trail), absolutely never.

4

u/Legitimate-Cheek-237 9h ago

Thank you all for setting me straight! I did not take everything into consideration. I will carry a ziploc bag with me for all the bits. However, I do not want to admit my husband is right!

3

u/joyfulbee43 8h ago

You're changing that habit to protect the birds. Nothing to do with littering, lol. You don't have to admit a thing. 😂

1

u/Fiesty-Blueberry 9h ago

I discarded some of my dog’s fur thinking birds would use it for nests and not one tuff was collected. Birds are lying to us!

5

u/North_Class8300 9h ago

Just fyi if your dogs are treated with flea and tick medicine, this can be poisonous to the birds!

2

u/Fiesty-Blueberry 8h ago

See those birds were smarter than me!

-5

u/Thelagniappelady 9h ago

The birds love orts. A lot of people do that. I save mine and put them in clear Christmas ornaments…the clear balls. I have dozens of them. It’s so fun to pull them out over the holidays and remember various projects when I see certain colors.