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Searching the nice nest
Introduction
In the vast world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), players are always on the lookout for efficient and engaging ways to amass wealth, and one such method that stands out is “Searching the Nice Nest.” This money-making technique revolves around collecting bird nests dropped by birds while training the Woodcutting skill, offering a passive yet lucrative income stream. Unlike high-intensity methods requiring constant attention or significant startup capital, this approach appeals to both casual players and seasoned veterans looking to supplement their GP reserves. With the right setup and a bit of patience, searching nests can yield impressive profits through the valuable items they contain, such as seeds, rings, and eggs, all while you chop trees to level up your Woodcutting skill. This guide will break down everything you need to know to turn those humble nests into a goldmine.
Requirements
To effectively utilize the “Searching the Nice Nest” money-making method, you’ll need to meet a few basic requirements, though the beauty of this approach lies in its accessibility. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Woodcutting Level: A minimum of level 1 is required to chop trees, but higher levels (e.g., 60+ for yews or 75+ for magic trees) significantly increase efficiency and nest drop rates.
- Axe: Any axe will do, but the higher your Woodcutting level, the better the axe you should use (e.g., Rune Axe at 41, Dragon Axe at 61).
- Inventory Space: At least a few free slots to hold nests and logs, though dropping logs or banking them is common.
- Optional – Birdhouse Runs Knowledge: Familiarity with birdhouse runs can complement this method, as it ties into the nest economy, though it’s not mandatory.
- Patience: This is a passive method, so a willingness to grind Woodcutting for extended periods is key.
- Membership: OSRS membership is required, as free-to-play worlds don’t offer nest drops from trees.
No specific quests or high combat stats are needed, making this method beginner-friendly. However, having access to better trees (like those in the Woodcutting Guild at level 60) or a Dragon Axe (purchasable for around 40K GP or obtained via the Grand Exchange) can optimize your results. The lack of complex prerequisites means almost any player can jump in and start profiting with minimal setup.
Method Overview
The “Searching the Nice Nest” method capitalizes on the random nest drops that occur while cutting trees in OSRS. As you chop down trees ranging from basic oaks to high-tier magic trees there’s a chance a bird’s nest will fall to the ground, which you can pick up and search for valuable loot. These nests can contain items like tree seeds (e.g., yew or magic seeds), jewelry (e.g., gold or diamond rings), or bird eggs, all of which can be sold on the Grand Exchange for a tidy profit. The method is passive in nature: you focus on training Woodcutting, and the nests serve as a bonus income source. The profitability scales with the type of tree you cut (higher-level trees drop nests more frequently) and your efficiency in collecting and processing them. It’s a low-effort, steady GP earner that pairs well with skilling goals, making it ideal for players who enjoy multitasking in Gielinor.
Step-by-Step Process
Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to execute the “Searching the Nice Nest” method effectively:
- Choose Your Tree: Select a tree type based on your Woodcutting level and goals. Oaks (level 15) or willows (level 30) work for lower levels, while yews (level 60) and magic trees (level 75) are best for higher levels due to increased nest drop rates. Popular spots include the Woodcutting Guild, Seers’ Village, or the Farming Guild.
- Equip Your Axe: Wield or carry the best axe you can use. For example, a Rune Axe at level 41 or a Dragon Axe at 61 (if you can afford the 40K GP price tag) will speed up chopping and indirectly boost nest collection.
- Start Chopping: Begin cutting your chosen trees. Focus on a spot with multiple trees to minimize downtime between chops. The Woodcutting Guild is highly recommended at level 60+ for its nest drop rate boost (+7% chance).
- Pick Up Nests: As you chop, watch for nests dropping to the ground. They appear as small brown objects and can be picked up with a simple click. If your inventory fills with logs, drop them (if not banking) to make room.
- Search the Nests: Right-click each nest and select “Search” to reveal its contents. You’ll find one of three types:
- Seed Nests: Contain tree or fruit tree seeds (e.g., yew seeds worth 50K-70K GP, magic seeds worth 100K-150K GP).
- Ring Nests: Contain jewelry like gold rings (200-300 GP) or diamond rings (2K-3K GP).
- Egg Nests: Contain bird eggs (red, green, or blue), worth 500-1K GP each, or used for birdhouse runs.
- Manage Inventory: Once your inventory is full of nests or valuable items, decide whether to bank or sell. For efficiency, bank logs and nests at a nearby bank (e.g., Seers’ Village bank for yews) or use a teleport like the Skills Necklace to the Woodcutting Guild.
- Sell on the Grand Exchange: Head to the Grand Exchange in Varrock and sell your loot. High-value seeds like magic or ranarr seeds fetch the best prices, while rings and eggs provide smaller but consistent GP.
- Repeat: Return to your chopping spot and continue the cycle. The longer you grind, the more nests and profit you’ll accumulate.
This process is straightforward but rewards consistency. The key is balancing Woodcutting XP with nest collection, adjusting your rhythm based on how often nests drop (roughly 1 in 256 chops, though this varies by tree and boosts).
Profit Calculation
The profitability of “Searching the Nice Nest” hinges on nest drop rates, the type of tree you cut, and Grand Exchange prices, which fluctuate. Let’s break it down with some estimates:
- Nest Drop Rate: On average, a nest drops once every 256 chops, but this improves with higher-level trees and the Woodcutting Guild’s +7% boost. For magic trees, expect around 1 nest per 200-220 chops.
- Chopping Speed: With a Dragon Axe at level 75+, you can chop roughly 200-250 logs per hour from magic trees, yielding 1-1.5 nests per hour. Lower-tier trees like yews yield slightly fewer nests (0.8-1.2 per hour).
- Nest Contents Value:
- Seed Nests (65% chance): Average value is 20K-30K GP per nest, factoring in common seeds (acorn, willow) and rare ones (magic seeds at 100K-150K GP).
- Ring Nests (32% chance): Average value is 1K-2K GP, with diamond rings being the jackpot at 2K-3K GP.
- Egg Nests (3% chance): Around 500-1K GP per egg, though these are less common.
- Hourly Profit: Assuming 1 nest per hour from yews (conservative estimate):
- 65% chance of 20K-30K GP = 13K-19.5K GP
- 32% chance of 1K-2K GP = 320-640 GP
- 3% chance of 500-1K GP = 15-30 GP
- Total Average: 13.3K-20.2K GP per hour from nests alone.
- For magic trees (1.5 nests/hour): 20K-30K GP/hour.
| Tree Type | Nests/Hour | Avg. GP/Nest | Hourly GP (Nests) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yew | 0.8-1.2 | 15K-20K | 12K-24K |
| Magic | 1-1.5 | 20K-30K | 20K-45K |
| Willow (Low Lvl) | 0.5-0.8 | 10K-15K | 5K-12K |
Add in log sales (e.g., 50K GP/hour from magic logs) and you’re looking at 70K-95K GP/hour total for high-level players. These numbers are conservative and spike with lucky seed drops, making it a solid mid-tier method.
Tips and Considerations
To maximize your success with this method, keep these pointers in mind:
- Boost Nest Rates: Use the Woodcutting Guild (level 60+ required) for its +7% nest drop chance. Wear a strung rabbit foot (crafted from rabbit feet) for a slight boost to seed nest odds.
- Optimize Gear: A Dragon Axe is worth the 40K GP investment for faster chopping. Consider Woodcutting capes (99 Woodcutting) for a 10% double log chance, indirectly increasing nest opportunities.
- Banking vs. Dropping: Drop low-value logs (e.g., oaks) to keep chopping, but bank magic or yew logs for extra GP. Use teleports like the Skills Necklace or house tabs for quick banking.
- Market Awareness: Check Grand Exchange prices daily seed values like ranarr (5K-10K GP) or magic (100K-150K GP) can swing wildly, affecting your profits.
- Combine with Birdhouses: Save egg nests for birdhouse runs to generate more nests long-term, creating a self-sustaining cycle.
- Avoid Crowded Spots: Popular yew or magic tree locations (e.g., Seers’ Village) can get busy scout quieter worlds or use instanced areas like the Guild.
- AFK Potential: This method is semi-AFK; set up near a bank or use a portable bank deposit box for minimal effort.
Be mindful of fatigue hours of chopping can get monotonous. Also, nest drops are RNG-based, so some sessions may yield little while others hit big with rare seeds. Patience and persistence are your allies here.
Conclusion
“Searching the Nice Nest” is a quintessential OSRS money-making method that blends simplicity with profitability, offering players a way to earn GP while training Woodcutting. With no steep entry barriers and the potential for 20K-45K GP/hour (or more with log sales), it’s a reliable choice for those who enjoy skilling over combat or flipping. The method shines brightest for mid-to-high-level players cutting yews or magic trees, especially in the Woodcutting Guild, where nest rates peak. While it won’t make you a millionaire overnight, its passive nature and scalability make it a worthy addition to any GP-grinding repertoire. So grab your axe, head to the trees, and let those nests pile up your bank will thank you.
