When I clean out my birdbath (only water from a hose is used) and replenish the water the birds won't go anywhere near it. They leave it for several days until it has a few dead midges etc. floating on it and begins to look like a stagnant pond, then think "Oooh Yummy!" and all drink from it (incidentally, they never use it as a birdbath). I have tried cleaning it daily but they then just ignore it altogether and go and find the nearest puddle to drink from. I have to say it doesn't seem to do them any harm but It is healthy for them to drink "old" water?
Squirrel
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Unknown said: I dont know how much water would be pumped by the solar powered type waterfall but I would say it is worth a try. The waterfall that I have creats a small stream that I built and it has over 1000 gallons an hour going over it but the birds love it. Graham
I dont know how much water would be pumped by the solar powered type waterfall but I would say it is worth a try. The waterfall that I have creats a small stream that I built and it has over 1000 gallons an hour going over it but the birds love it.
Graham
I will check these water cascades out more thoroughly as there may be an electrically/battery powered version. I am a bit dubious about using our watering cans as they have all had liquid plant feed in at one time or another. That might smell as bad to the birds as the chlorine. More to ponder but I will let you know how I fare.
lol
All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy. Spike Milligan
Squirrel, we have a solar powered water cascade which the birds and squirrels love but it doesn't store power, so when the sun moves off the solar panel the pump stops. Having said that the birds still use it to drink and bathe.
Many thanks for that Brenda. It is really useful to know the birds actually like it as I have been googling them and they aren't cheap, although there seems to be quite a wide variation in price. I will have a further look tomorrow as I think my brain is trying to go to sleep now.
It will probably be the chlorine in the water that the birds don't like. Mind you, I've seen whole families of kookaburras having a lovely time in a caravan park swimming pool!!!! Even had to rescue one young one who lingered too long and got waterlogged. I use tap water through the hose, but from my fish-keeping days I learnt to always force it through the spray nozzle on the hose (fine or hard spray, not soft or shower), which helps to dissipate the chlorine really quickly. Of course, standing (old) water is ideal if you have it, as this wil also be at ambient temperature. Even our cat leaves his freshly filled water bowls (from the kitchen tap) for a few hours.
Smiles, Jan.
Hi all
While browsing through various sites selling water cascades I came across a water wiggler (not the kids toy but a gadget designed for bird baths) and so I am thinking of ordering one of those to see if that does the trick - being as how I already have a bird bath which the birds are used to. I will let you know what it is like. Thanks again for all your advices. From what you have all said I am hoping that moving water will make a big difference.
Ok, you must produce a picture. I have no idea what a water wiggler is but I am intrigued. Hope it is the answer to your problem though.
Hi Brenda, hope this works. If it does, you need to scroll down the page and it's something like 5th from the bottom.
http://www.pearce-environment.co.uk/acatalog/Bird_Baths.html
If it works that looks a good idea. I am thinking of ordering one now. Thanks Squirrel.
Squirrel B said: When I clean out my birdbath (only water from a hose is used) and replenish the water the birds won't go anywhere near it. They leave it for several days until it has a few dead midges etc. floating on it and begins to look like a stagnant pond, then think "Oooh Yummy!" and all drink from it (incidentally, they never use it as a birdbath). I have tried cleaning it daily but they then just ignore it altogether and go and find the nearest puddle to drink from. I have to say it doesn't seem to do them any harm but It is healthy for them to drink "old" water? Squirrel
It does sound as though the birds regard your bath more as a special insect feeder than a actual bird bath! Being small and enclosed, bird baths can easily become dirty and stagnant, and even dangerous, without regular cleaning. Rinse out the bath daily to remove any build-up of bird droppings, algae, dead leaves and other debris, and refill with clean water. Give the bath a thorough clean every week or so as you clean your bird feeders and tables. Scrub it well to remove algae and other dirt. You can use dilute household disinfectants or cleaners specifically formulated for bird baths, but make sure that you rinse the bath out thoroughly to remove any traces of chemicals.
Dirty bird baths can be at least as serious sources of disease as dirty bird tables. Allowing pathogens to accumulate in the water will risk the birds’ health, and some can be transmitted to any pets and other wildlife that drink from the bird bath.
Since there is a small but real risk of infections like salmonella being transmitted to people, always exercise good hygiene when cleaning bird baths, just as you would do with feeders. Always clean the bird bath outdoors using separate utensils, wear gloves and wash your hands when finished!
Hope that helps!
LS