Fleecy bits
Photo of a thin, single strand wire fence running through a field. The wire is covered in bits of sheep’s fleece. It looks like a washing line. There are some trees in the distance and the sky is blue with grey and white clouds.
Once upon a time, long before humans were said to exist, sheep did their own washing. They’d find a sturdy patch of gorse or bramble, rub themselves on it, and then collect the parts of their fleece which had got stuck to the spiky bushes. They’d use some sap to glue leaves together into the shape of a bucket, pop the fleecy bits in, and then take them down to the river to wash them. As those were the days before humans, the rivers were always free from pollution, so it didn’t take long for the waters to wash the fleecy bits clean.
Once the fleecy bits were nice and refreshed, the sheep would hang them out on a line, just as you can see here. They’d let the summer sun dry them for days at a time, giving the breeze the opportunity to impart new smells and perfumes to the fleecy bits. It was during this time that the birds would come with some juicy berry or other such delight and trade with the sheep for some fleecy bits to take home to their nests. Once the birds had taken their fill, the sheep would then sit around and braid the fleecy bits back into their bodies, just in time for winter.
As you can see, this practice still occurs in some of the more remote parts of Kent. Well, not so remote: I passed this glorious display when I was walking the the North Downs Way earlier this year. If you ask nicely, and explain how obscene gas and electricity prices are nowadays, the sheep will likely let you take a bit to keep your nest warm. Just make sure you leave enough for the birdies.