Sunday, July 1, 2012

Using Bird Baths to Attract Birds to Your Yard


Food is one way to attract birds to your back yard or outdoor area, but another interesting way is to provide a source of water for them. This water source is usually in the form of a garden bird bath. Birds are attracted to the water to drink and often times to bathe as well. If you set up the right type of bird bath, they will be attracted to do the latter.

Birds like moving water sources. This lets them know most times that the water is clean and safe in which to drink and bathe. But don't worry you don't have to have install a pump or create waterfalls or anything like that, though that would be an attractive sight, a simple bath with standing water will do fine as long as its kept clean and the water changed before it gets dirty. An option to keep the water moving is to place a small battery operated vibrating wiggler in the water to keep it moving. The birds soon get used to it. The drawback to this is that you have to keep replacing the batteries, depending on how often you use it, rechargeables would be good option here.

The best types of baths are those constructed of plastic resin. 

They are lightweight, durable, hold up well in all seasons, are relatively inexpensive and readily available in a wide variety of styles and designs. There is surely one that will fit in with your particular garden layout. Metal ones are also a great choice, but not so much for the colder winter months when debris and even the birds feet can stick to the frozen surface.

The center of the bird bath should be no more that about two inches in depth and slope gradually from the outer edge to the center. This will encourage smaller songbirds to use it, while still allowing larger birds like to bathe as well. The shallow edges make it more likely that it will be used for bathing more than just a quick drink, thought that's all right especially in the hot weather, if no other water source is around. If the basin is too deep, small stones can be placed in the center to make it more shallow. This will also provide an additional surface upon which for the birds feet to grip. Most basins have a rough bottom surface for better gripping.

Place your bath in a location that allows easy escape to a tree branch in case the birds become frightened, but not so close that the leaves are continually falling into the water or bird droppings for that matter. Don't place it too close to a bird feeder or the seeds will find their way in as well. It should receive some shade in the day so the water doesn't heat up too much or cause the growth of algae. Also there should be some clearance around it to prevent predators such as cats from hiding in the bushes and pouncing on the unsuspecting birds.

Whatever type or design you choose, a bird bath makes the garden a more beautiful and restful place.