Bird Spa (on the cheap)

[msconduct]

This is my bird bath, which the birds adore. Instead of a beautiful ceramic one on a graceful pillar, it's a $2 job from the dollar shop.

This was meant to be a temporary arrangement while I figured out if the birds would use it enough to justify buying a nice one. However, it accidentally turned out to be perfect as it was. The best thing about it is that it's easy to take inside to clean - something that's a lot more hassle if you have to do it in situ. I can pick it up when the lawn mowers come. And I've also discovered that apparently birds prefer water on the ground as it's where they find it in nature. kaishin108 has pointed out that this is a problem if you have predators around, and this is a good point. However, for me it was all in the placement. My bath is close to these ferns with a tree overhanging, there's a fence behind that and it's next to the garage, so they seem to feel pretty safe.

I got a photo this morning of my neighbird Mr B, obligingly chilling in between splashes so I could get the shot.

Comments

[meowmensteen]

Thank you for the lovely introduction to your neighbor.

I used to use a plastic planter tray held up by an inverted tomato cage stuck into the dirt. It kept my cat away. If she tried to climb up on it to get a bird, the bath would just spill on her head. I also had a hanging bath from a tree, to also keep the cat away.

[msconduct]

We were thinking about something like the hanging one for when we get new cats, but we're still too sad about the old ones for it to be an issue yet.

[kaishin108]

What great ideas above in comments to keep away the kitties. I love your plate though. And you have it near that fern so it gives the birds a send of safety I would think. Thanks for the photo. Go you!

I remember now last summer I filled some small saucers and put them under a sage to make sure the bees got water. Birds and bees though, pretty similar!

And so easy to clean. I think I will place a few where the sprinklers will land and hold some water. Our street gutters here drain so slow though, there is often water in the street.

[echomyst]

Rotund-looking birds are so cute lol

[msconduct]

Totally! Mr B isn't actually usually this portly - he had just had a bath and was fluffing out his feathers to dry them.