How can I build a water feature to attract more birds?
Related Discussions
How can I keep the birds from pooping all over my pool waterfall??
How to make a decorative river rock wall
Looking to DIY a rock look on a wall. Would like to find something I can sculpt my own rocks with. I have been told cement would be to heavy on a drywall backing. Do... See more
How do I build a tall heavy duty plant stand?
I have 2 majesty palm plants. Right now I've got them on 2 plant stands that have to lean against the wall for support. I'd like to build two plant stands that are ta... See more
Window box bracket without nails?
Does anyone have a way of how to hang a window box without having to screw the box or the bracket into the windowsill or the siding? Is there some way of clamping the... See more
How do I build a rustic trellis that will hide this ugly shed?
My lot backs onto the line where this unsightly, cinder-block shed sits. I need an idea to hide it. I have saved a lot of fallen walnut & maple tree branches that I'd... See more
How to make a homemade pool?
Hey everyone!I've got this outdoor area that's totally underused, and I'm itching to transform it into a refreshing paradise for the summer. Now, instead of taking th... See more
A simple bird bath that you keep clean and filled with fresh water will attract birds. The location of the bath is more important to attracting birds than the style of bird bath. Birds don't like to be out in the wide open with no shelter nearby to flee to if a hawk happens to fly over or people come into range. Situate your bird bath within a few feet of a tree or some bushy shrubs that will give birds cover. Birds also like to use baths at different times of the day. In the morning for instance, where I get southern exposure on my bird bath for about half the daylight hours in summer, the birds come during the earlier morning hours and after the yard gets shadier in the afternoon. I have a concrete bath that is outside all year, even in 40 below zero F temperatures and it's been indestructible for almost 30 years now. I also have a ceramic birdbath that I have to store inside during the winter situated in a different area of the yard but near a tall arborvitae where some birds will roost at night. So I have birds visiting from the earliest morning hours all the way to dark.
I agree birds do use ordinary birdbaths. If you have mosquitos you probably should use Mosquito Dunks (safe for birds and other animals) unless you plan to dump and refill the bath every few days (including in rainy weather)
Just put a fountain in or a pond that will do it
buy 3 large clay pots 3 different sizes, I large clay drip tray. paint with outdoor paint and seal with poly. stack pots upside down on top of each other, drip tray on top. instant birdbath!
I agree with the birdbath idea. Shops like Tuesday Morning sell them for much cheaper than the big box stores. All good advice from Jlnatty on proximity to a tree to escape to, and cleaning is a must. It will get algae in a few days. Also the mosquito dunks come in tiny bb sized tablets you can get at Amazon.com or Tractor Supply. You just need a couple pieces to kill mosquito larvae. I keep my birdbath next to the pine tree and beside the fence for the birds security from predators, like cats and hawks.
Get a seed barrel with a lid from Tractor Supply or Orshelins. Bury the bucket with 12" or less sticking up from the ground. Get a small, old sink from Restore or a garage sale. Cut a hole in the lid so the sink rests in it. Like you would when installing on a countertop. Get a water pump like you would get for a fish pond. Harbor Freight has them cheap. Take some metal pipes that will fit in the faucet hole with a U pipe and make a faucet. Sink the pump in the barrel, run the hose from the pump thru the pipe. Fill the barrel with water, put the lid and sink on the barrel and plug in. You will have a constant running birdbath sink that can be left on all year unless it is bitter cold outside. The lid prevents critters from falling in the barrel. Decorate with landscape rocks. The oic of mine isn't turned on, but you get the idea.
buy a tiny water pump , birds like moving water. fill a pot, tub, big bowl, anything that holds water with big rocks, they only like shallow water, put pump in water, make sure water will not shoot out of bowl. I bury an outdoor extension cord to hide the plug if it will be out in the yard. it doesn't have to be bury real deep just deep enough so the lawn mower doesn't hit it. I have used old sinks and sunk them in the ground, make sure you use a good plug so water holds. I have dug a small pond lined with black sturdy plastic, I have used an old bath tub. Right now I just used a urn shaped planter and they love it. They say they like it to be out in the open, not under bushes because they need to watch for predators. What ever you use clean it out once in a while. The sound of moving water will bring the most birds.