Piet Bremer & Boena van Noorden (2024) The use of bryophytes and lichens as nesting material in Dutch breeding birds. LIMOSA 97 (3): 107-118.

We carried out a study on bryophytes/lichens in nests based on photo`s on internet sites and in the field. In the Netherlands 51% of the breeding bird species make use of bryophytes, with large differences between species. We distinguished eight groups op bryophytes/lichens using species, with at one hand the species group in which use of bryophytes/lichens might be accidental. On the other hand there are species with a large percentage (> 80%) of their nest build with mosses, such as in the Long-tailed Tit. Of 20 species of breeding bird nests have been investigated in the field and bryophytes/lichens recorded. 16 species of bryophytes were recorded, with Hypnum cupressiforme being the most common species, and 4 species of lichens, with 3 related to the ammonium pollution. Great Tit and Blue Tit were studied in more detail. Both do selectively collect moss species in their breeding habitat, with Great Tits systematically using Polytrichum formosum at the basis of their nest.

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