If you want to attract birds to your yard, one of the most important steps to take is to establish a regular supply of fresh water, especially in areas that can suffer from periods of drought when water is scarce.
A Word Of Caution About Swimming Pools
If you live in a warm area, you may be lucky enough to have a swimming pool. Although some birds will drink from pools, it’s not the best idea to think of this as your water source for birds because of the chlorine and other chemicals that are in the water.
Flowing Water – Streams And Fountains
The best option is some form of flowing water. The movement prevents the water from becoming stagnant.
If you have a stream in your yard then that is obviously an ideal source, but if not you can install a water fountain or bird bath with a pump. You can either get an electrically powered one or a solar powered one.
The advantage of a solar powered one is that you can place it anywhere you like, whereas with an electric one you need to place it somewhere near an electric outlet which might not be the best location as far as the birds are concerned.
Ponds
Another option is to build a pond if you don’t already have one. If you choose this option, make sure you place plants in the pond to keep the water from stagnating. Also don’t place it too near trees and shrubs to prevent debris from them falling in and clogging it up.
Surround the area around the pond with plant life and grass or moss too, to encourage insects which act as a food source for the birds. You can read more tips about the best way to create a pond on the BBC website here.
Pumpless Bird Baths
The other option for a water source is the humble bird bath without a pump. These are less expensive than water fountains or baths with a pump, but obviously don’t contain flowing water so it’s important that you change the water on a regular basis to make sure it doesn’t become stagnant and run the risk of passing diseases to the birds.
Another Word Of Caution About Water Barrels
If you have a water barrel, you may be tempted to consider that your water source for birds. However, you should avoid any water source with steep sides as the birds can easily fall in and drown. For this reason, water barrels aren’t recommended as a source of water.
Summary
It is important to provide fresh water to the birds that visit your yard on a consistent basis. Of course, you can have multiple sources if you wish. If you don’t have a flowing water source, make sure that the still water doesn’t become stagnant by replacing it regularly if it’s in a bird bath, or by following good pond management techniques if you have a pond.
A Word Of Caution About Swimming Pools
If you live in a warm area, you may be lucky enough to have a swimming pool. Although some birds will drink from pools, it’s not the best idea to think of this as your water source for birds because of the chlorine and other chemicals that are in the water.
Flowing Water – Streams And Fountains
The best option is some form of flowing water. The movement prevents the water from becoming stagnant.
If you have a stream in your yard then that is obviously an ideal source, but if not you can install a water fountain or bird bath with a pump. You can either get an electrically powered one or a solar powered one.
The advantage of a solar powered one is that you can place it anywhere you like, whereas with an electric one you need to place it somewhere near an electric outlet which might not be the best location as far as the birds are concerned.
Ponds
Another option is to build a pond if you don’t already have one. If you choose this option, make sure you place plants in the pond to keep the water from stagnating. Also don’t place it too near trees and shrubs to prevent debris from them falling in and clogging it up.
Surround the area around the pond with plant life and grass or moss too, to encourage insects which act as a food source for the birds. You can read more tips about the best way to create a pond on the BBC website here.
Pumpless Bird Baths
The other option for a water source is the humble bird bath without a pump. These are less expensive than water fountains or baths with a pump, but obviously don’t contain flowing water so it’s important that you change the water on a regular basis to make sure it doesn’t become stagnant and run the risk of passing diseases to the birds.
Another Word Of Caution About Water Barrels
If you have a water barrel, you may be tempted to consider that your water source for birds. However, you should avoid any water source with steep sides as the birds can easily fall in and drown. For this reason, water barrels aren’t recommended as a source of water.
Summary
It is important to provide fresh water to the birds that visit your yard on a consistent basis. Of course, you can have multiple sources if you wish. If you don’t have a flowing water source, make sure that the still water doesn’t become stagnant by replacing it regularly if it’s in a bird bath, or by following good pond management techniques if you have a pond.