One of the most pleasing and ornamental of decorative elements that can be added to any garden is a birdbath or small pond. A water feature in the garden adds light, movement and beauty to our surroundings. The sky and flowers reflected off the surface of a still pool of water is a lovely added visual to any garden. The many birds that come to enjoy our water features also provide movement and color to our gardens. The serene sound of even a small waterfall adds so much to the ambiance of the garden environment.
Birds need water throughout the year for bathing and drinking but adding a birdbath also brings along the responsibility for keeping it safe and clean for our wild birds. The first thing to consider is type and location. A shallow bath, no more than 2" to 3" deep with sloping sides and enough texture for the birds to have good footing is best. If you already have a bath that is deeper than that you can add rocks to give the birds a place to perch and to provide different depths for different species of birds. A pedestal feature with good visibility is preferable to a bath at ground level as it provides a safer place for the birds to bathe.
Ideally the birdbath should be placed close to trees or shrubs with branches high enough to be safe from predators so that after bathing they can quickly reach an area of safety to clean and preen their feathers. They should be at least five or more feet away from your feeders so as to avoid contamination from debris. Also, make sure to locate your birdbaths within easy reach of a hose so you can keep the water fresh and clean.
Birdbaths should be hosed out and refilled with clean water on a daily basis. I normally do this first thing each morning when I'm making my AM rounds deadheading the flowers. Twice a week scrub the birdbath with a stiff bristled brush to remove any accumulated algae and debris, rinse well and refill with fresh water. About once a month you can clean out your birdbaths using any biodegradable cleaner that would be safe for pet bowls making sure to rinse well before refilling.
Hygiene is important with birdbaths because there are many diseases that birds can carry and transmit to each other. Unlike a pond or stream, the water in the bath will not be freshened by flora and fauna and so must be kept clean and fresh by changing the water regularly.
We've always had many lovely birds visiting our feeders and birdbaths but we were astonished at the increase in numbers and species of birds we attracted to our garden after we installed a small pond with several waterfalls. Songbirds are attracted by the sound of running water so installing a re-circulating waterfall or fountain is a sure way to increase the numbers of visiting songbirds. Another bonus is that moving water will attract both birds which come to feeders and birds which do not come to feeders, so you will have many new birds visiting your yard, sometimes as many as three to four times as many as with standing water bird baths. Place rocks in the pond or waterfall areas so that the birds have shallow areas to bathe in.
The nitrifying bacteria in a properly operating bio-filter will convert any bird and fish wastes to nitrates, which feed the pond plants. So a bonus to a properly operating pond with recirculating pumps is that it is a mini-ecosystem and cleans itself.
If you don't have the space or time to maintain a small pond and waterfall you can consider installing a dripper or mister to your existing birdbath. Drippers create the sound of moving water and a ripple in the bath that birds find irresistible. Misters are best when mounted so that the mist falls on a small shrub where very small birds enjoy leaf bathing. Both drippers and misters are readily available where bird feed and supplies are sold. Hummingbirds in particular are attracted to a misting set up.
There is another important reason why recirculating water is important as well as rinsing and refilling any birdbaths daily (as well as taking care to never leave standing water around the garden)-- it lowers the risk creating a friendly environment for breeding mosquitoes, which transmit West Nile Virus.
Bird bathing is essential to our feathered friends to maintain healthy plumage. You can often observe birds after a bath preening to properly realign all their feathers. Your water feature will also provide a means for the birds to cool themselves in the heat of the summer. Sometimes you can observe a bird sitting calmly, half immersed in the water, for five to ten minutes on a very hot summer day. Remember though, that birds need water throughout the year, especially in the winter when many of their normal water sources are frozen. Consider installing a heated birdbath or a heater for your existing birdbaths to keep water available throughout the winter when it can be difficult for wild birds to find a source of water.
Providing a safe and clean water feature in the garden for our wild birds will bring added beauty to your landscape and enhance your enjoyment of the natural world.
Written by Deanneart