I found a never-used empty nest on my walk today. It was on the ground, in the open, in a space that the deer typically congregate for part of the day. I assume it fell from the limb that was high above me. I'm fairly certain that if I left the nest on the ground, that the deer would trample it.
I took the nest back to the house and placed it outdoors. I hope that birds will find it and repurpose the twigs to built other nests. I couldn't resist putting a chicken egg into the nest for this photo. It gives you an idea of the size of the nest and the size of the bird who built it. I suspect it was a finch or junco.