Making a Bird Bath for Our Feathered Friends

$5
1 Hour
Easy
If you're trying to make your garden a better place for bird life, few things are more attractive than a well-maintained bird bath and with the heat wave we're experiencing at the moment our poor feathered friends really need one. Bird baths come in all shapes and sizes and depending on the type of birds in the garden they seem to prefer different types of baths. The little finches and cape white eyes like something that's high off the ground while the doves like playing under the sprinkler.
We found this really cute bathroom accessory and decided to use it to make a bird bath for our smaller feathered friends. We started off making a sturdy platform that would support the bird bath and keep any predators away. We have four cats and the last thing I want is for one of them to disturb the birds while they're taking a bath, not to mention our dogs that chase blindly through the garden after their balls. We used a really thick gum pole and sanded one end into a spike using a grinder and a flap disc.
We added a little platform made from bits of pallet off cuts which we sealed with an exterior wood sealer. Using a drill we made some holes so that the bath will sit firmly on the base.
To make sure that the spike doesn't rot we wrapped the bottom bit in black plastic before planting it under a big tree. Birds don't fly to well when their feathers are wet so they're vulnerable when they're taking a dip. They feel safer when they're under cover or if there's few branches that can use as an escape route. The little bird bath accessory was quite deep so we added some river sand. The river sand acts as a natural filter and birds seem to prefer a bath that mimics shallow puddles.
The bird bath works really well in the garden and the little birds seems to love it. I planted some miniature roses under the bird bath just to make very sure our cats don't get close.
Michelle Leslie
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  2 questions
  • This is cutest birdbath I've ever seen! (and this is coming from a person who made a birdbath just recently.) I love yours!! Now I need to find a small bath tub. Do you know where I can find one similar to yours? -Handan
  • Edie Zsuzsics Edie Zsuzsics on Sep 09, 2019

    How do you clean it? Isn't it secured to the post?

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