Bird bath: attract feathered friends into the garden
Nesting boxes and bird feeders are a common sight. However, few people have bird baths in the garden. Yet these watering spots are at least equally as important for the animals.
Why is a bird bath important?
Just like other animals, birds get thirsty several times a day. You can add a bird bath to the garden so that bird species native to central Europe can quench their thirst. Animals can use these to bathe, cool down and of course, drink from.
Birds which feed on kernels and seeds in particular need regular water. In summer, as with people, the requirement is a bit higher due to increasing temperatures.
There are not enough watering spots where birds can drink everywhere in nature. So in desperation, they eat juicy fruits such as cherries or red currants from your garden. If you want to prevent this, set up a bird bath in the garden. Then the animals will not be forced to eat up your fruit.
There is also a further advantage to a bird bath: the more animals you attract, the fewer pests and bugs you will find in your garden and on crop plants.
What should a bird bath look like?
The bird bath in your garden does not need to have a particularly attractive or refined design. Birds do not have high demands for drinking and bathing opportunities. However, some things are still important in a bird bath:
- Use a container with an edge. The birds can sit on this to drink. The container should not be too light. Otherwise it will tip over as soon as a bird sits on the edge. But equally, do not choose one that is too heavy, as it must be possible to carry it for refilling or cleaning.
- A container that does not have a flat bottom, but gets deeper towards the middle, is ideal. This makes it easier for birds to get into the water. The water should be 2 cm to 10 cm deep at the lowest point. This allows different sizes of birds to fly onto the bird bath and use it. Smaller birds will prefer to stand on the edge area. Larger birds will also use the deeper water.
- Ideally, the bird bath should be made of slightly rough material. This makes it easier for birds to stand and walk on it. Then the animals will not slip so easily. A bird bath made from stone or terracotta is ideal. Stainless steel or lasered ceramic is usually too slippery. But they are not completely unsuitable. Place stones of different sizes in the centre of the container. They should peek out a bit above the water. Then birds can land on this and drink from there. If you place additional smaller stones in the bath, the animals can use these as non-slip stairs into the deeper areas.
Building your own bird bath
Just as you can build your own bird feeder and you can also build your own bird box, it is also possible to build your own bird bath.
You could use an old soup bowl or a flower bowl you no longer use as a base material. Flower pot saucers also make good bird baths. The larger the container, the better.
If the soup bowl is ceramic, place a few different sized stones in it, as described above. Then fill this with tap water, place the bowl on a table or tree trunk and the bird bath for the garden or balcony is ready.
Of course, you can also get more creative and build your own totally unique bird bath. If you do pottery, you can even make your own bird bath. There are lots of interesting instructions on the internet about how you can build your own bird bath. For example, you could pour cement over a large rhubarb leaf. This will create a beautiful bowl with the imprint of the leaf structure.
Alternatively, you could paint terracotta pots in a style you like, stack them on top of one another, fix them together and place a flower bowl on top. Fill this with water for the birds.
If you want to offer other animals a watering place, such as bees and beneficial insects, a small pond is the perfect habitat. With our instructions you can even fit a mini pond on your balcony.
Buying a bird bath
Of course, you can also buy a ready-made bird bath from a shop. There are countless products available in DIY shops, garden centres and on the internet. Look for a bird bath that suits your taste. You could choose a bird bath made from natural stone, cast iron, concrete or Corten steel. Some bird baths stand on a post or a leg. Last but not least there are also flat bird baths.
The designs here are also numerous: there are bird baths with a modern design, romantic, playful, round, square and hanging versions. The latter types are particularly well suited to balconies.
Look for a bird bath which you like and goes well with other things in the garden or on the balcony. Then add the bird bath decoratively to the overall image.
The proper place for a bird bath
A bird bath needs to be positioned correctly. Otherwise the birds will not use it. Birds feel safest when they can see their surroundings well while drinking or bathing. Then they don’t need to be afraid of cats or other assailants.
It is ideal if there is a tree or other escape point directly next to the bird bath in the garden. This allows birds to quickly flee to safety in a dire situation. Chose a place far away from shrubs and close to trees.
On the terrace, the bird bath should not be close to a window sill. Cats could easily attack from here. You can fix baths to a railing on the balcony. Alternatively, you can hang it or place it directly on the railing. This will allow birds to easily fly onto the watering spot and, if necessary, quickly escape.
Cleaning bird baths
Refill the bird bath regularly with water. Then the animals will always be well supplied. You should also clean the bath regularly. Otherwise there is a danger that the birds may infect one another with diseases at the watering point. Empty the water daily in the summer and thoroughly clean the bath with a brush and hot water. Then refill it with fresh water. This will also prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the bath.
If it is no longer so warm, you only need to clean the bird bath about once a week. If the water freezes in the winter, pour hot water over it.
If you want to know more about when you should do what kind of work in the garden, you can find out the best times for all the important tasks in our Gardening Calendar.
Alternatives to bird baths
If you do not want to set up a bath for birds, you can still do something for animals and the environment. Put some sand or dry soil in a pot saucer. The birds will use this as a sand bath. This helps them combat bugs in their feathers.
Alternatively, you can set up a bee or butterfly bath. Do this by putting marbles or small stones in a flower pot saucer and filling it with water. The first insects will soon fly in for a drink.