GARDENERS busy with spring tasks are being asked to keep an eye on the birdie – nesting birds which can often choose odd spots to set up the family home.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reports that post boxes, rubbish bins, clothes-peg bags and even the pockets of jeans drying on a washing line have been found with nests in them, proving that garden birds will nest almost anywhere.

Most gardeners will be cautious of nesting birds in trees, shrubs, hedges and nest boxes and take care when titivating around these sites during the breeding season.

But they might not expect to find nests, eggs, and even broods in some of the quirkier nest sites. The RSPB is warning everyone to be aware that birds could be quietly raising their family ”anywhere in your garden, shed or garage, and even your house and car!”

Birds often nest in garden ornaments, buckets, hanging baskets and, if you leave your washing out for long enough, in drying clothes. Blackbirds have been found in a wall-mounted lion’s head with access via the ornament’s mouth. And wrens in particular favour hanging baskets.

Blackbirds have also be found nesting on car wheels, blue tits have constructed nests in communal ashtrays, and mistle thrushes have set up home on a set of traffic lights.

Richard James, RSPB wildlife adviser says: “Birds are usually very grateful for the nest sites we provide such as nest boxes and nesting pockets but there are many that find slightly more unusual places.

“We have heard it all – pigeons behind satellite dishes, robins in tool boxes and some birds even get into people’s bedrooms! One pair of pigeons got through an open window and nested on a bed and one swallow pair sited their nest on an electric plug socket in a bedroom.”