Hi, Im new to feeding the birds and have this winter started putting food out for them, I have to say I am totally hooked now. But the thing is I purchased all the hanging feeders, bird table and ground feeder which all the birds are quite happy using, after spending out on all of these, thought the birdbath will have to wait till another month, my partner has been great, not moaned once at all these purchases but thought a birdbath might push him a bit far, so I have made this make shift one you see in the picture, it has been sitting there for weeks, the rocks and stones in it are more for weighing it down, to stop it blowing off , are these why they are not using it, they can't be scared of it, I often see the birds perching on it with there backs to the water, I see them drinking out the guttering on our garage roof which has not been cleaned out for ages, I would love to see them enjoying a nice clean birdbath.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
Hi BBB,
Looks like a good idea to me! Have you tried it on the ground, rather than raised?
My winter bath had a few pebbles in, but they weren't using it to bathe, although they did drink. I removed the pebbles and they now bathe in it. However, my summer bath is a garden water feature. This is a terracotta bowl full of stones, with a jug that pours water continuously. This is very popular and they don't mind the stones. They are both on the ground. Just a thought.
Cheers, Linda.
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Hi BBB - how ingenious. That is very "thinking outside the box" - well done! Is it very close to the wall? Mine (a pedestal bird bath) is close to a fence and they don't use mine for bathing, only to drink from. It was suggested I move it more into the open but in an area only 8 feet across that isn't an option for me. It might be something you could try, though, if you have more space.
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!
Squirrel B said: Hi BBB - how ingenious. That is very "thinking outside the box" - well done! Is it very close to the wall? Mine (a pedestal bird bath) is close to a fence and they don't use mine for bathing, only to drink from. It was suggested I move it more into the open but in an area only 8 feet across that isn't an option for me. It might be something you could try, though, if you have more space.
Hi squirell thanks for the reply, It sits about 10 inches from the wall, it's the wall to our garage so it is not that tall, the guttering sits about four feet above it. I can't really move it to far out into the open as i have children who run about in the garden, and our garden isn't that big.
Hello BBB, it's more than likely linked to the fact the being creatures of habit the local birds will be tied up in winter flocks and resident birds may have an associated habit of visiting other local areas to bathe at present.
In time im sure the locals will become more used to it. Certainly over the coming weeks there will be a lot of movement amongst our wild birds and therefore this should increase the chances of new visitors happening across the bath. It's certainly good that you've got different levels and perches for the birds to gain access to the water and preen. Most birds drink by sipping at water and throwing back their head to swallow so having a shallow end will also help improve accessibility.
The location of your garden and type of vegetation immediately around you will determine the species of birds which will potentially visit your bird bath and in what numbers. Siting is very important and birds will only take to the bath if it feels safe. the bath needs to offer good visibility but be relatively near to bushes and cover if they become alarmed. ensure cats cannot use near by cover to attack bathing birds. This can be done by simply putting clippings from thorny vegetation beneath the bushes.
Your birdbath design caught my eye! as we have the same: many years ago, my father, who was very inventive, used a dustbin lid as a mould and made his own birdbath... However, one year, the frost got into it, & it fell apart. As my mother was by then a widow, she was at a loss until we pointed out to her that the actual dustbin lid might make a good alternative!
Now everyone in our family has one. Ours is supported by an upturned large flowerpot. They are very easy to clean out, with an old brush. We keep just a couple of large pebbles in it for them to perch, and all kinds of birds now queue up for their turn, especially when there is not much water around in puddles etc. Its been a huge success, and I'm sure yours will in time, when they get used to it. ; - )
Hi, Lloyd thanks for that, it seems to make a lot of sense, I look forward to a lot of new visitors arriving too, things are going to start getting exciting now spring is on the way.
And thank you to all who had suggestions, though I think I will leave the bath where it is and see how it goes as we do have cover there for the birds to dart into, our ivy has got quite thick and trails up over the pergoda above the bath.
Oh and Lindybird an upturned bin lid I thought as well makes a good bath, they have alot of grip on the surface don't they for the birds to grip.