Roosting pockets are wintertime essentials

Roosting pockets are loved by small birds during winter. These teardrop-shaped woven grass pockets provide much-needed refuge from harsh storms, wind, freezing rain, snow and bitter cold.

Birds love the roosting pockets because the rough surfaces made entering and exiting easier. The reed grass is resistant to premature decay. The pockets are especially welcome to smaller birds such as chickadees and wrens that do not migrate.

If your yard consists of deciduous trees—leafless during winter—then a roosting pocket or two might be a good way of creating shelter. The roosting pockets include twine that makes it easy to hang the pockets from a tree limb or branch.

The natural look of the roosting pockets blends into their surroundings.

Keep the roosting pockets in place after winter ends. Sometimes wrens will use them for nesting.