Birds love
water. One of the best things you can do to attract birds to your
yard is to provide them with water. Not only do birds get thirsty,
but they love to splash around in shallow water. You will find that
when one bird starts bathing, they will all want to join in! If you
are thinking about putting in a bird bath there are a few things you
might want to consider. Location is important. Don't put the bath
where the birds will be vulnerable to attack from cats. Keep it away
from bushes where cats can hide. Birds prefer an open area where
they can keep an eye their surroundings. They also like to have a
quick get-away should a predator suddenly appear.
Another thing to consider is the depth of the water container. Two
inches (5cm) is plenty otherwise the bird is at risk of drowning.
Many manufactured bird baths are too deep for back yard birds. If
you have found one that you like which is more than two inches deep,
there is a simple solution. Put a layer of sand, gravel, or small
rocks in the bottom. This will make it safe for the birds and
attractive to all, even though it is harder to keep clean. Birds are
susceptible to salmonella, so you must hose it down and bleach it a
few times a year. If the bird traffic is heavy then you may have to
bleach it more often.
Birds like running or trickling water, the sound of it makes them
want to jump in and play. Some birders like to hang an old coffee
can in the garden, punch a nail hole in the bottom and fill it with
water daily. Let it drip into a bird bath or some other container.
The birds will love it! Aesthetically this is might not be what you
want. If you would like to have a dripper you could use a clay pot,
or something else that fits your garden theme, plug the hole with
putty (or something) and punch a hole in it the size of a nail. The
birds don't care what it looks like.
What I have used for bird baths in my garden are large terra-cotta
pots and trays. Turn the pots upside-down and place the tray on top.
It's very attractive, easy to clean, and shallow enough for the
little birds. In my little herb garden I have two long, narrow pots,
end-to-end, with a large tray on top. There is a bamboo pole through
the pots for stability. When it needs to be cleaned I take to tray
off, scrub it with a vegetable brush and soap, and put it back
together. It takes less than ten minutes. I have a couple of these
in my yard and I have another clay tray just sitting on the top of
the fence next to the feeding station. It is often very busy in the
early morning sun!
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