Do you enjoy seeing your backyard filled with birds? Listening to their sweet chirping sounds bless your ears every morning? What a way to wake up, right? While there are many ways you can turn your garden into a lovely retreat for both you and your feathered friends, your best bet at attracting birds is to give them what they need most. And what’s that? Well, it’s simple really, it’s something that all living and breathing beings need to survive – a fresh, clean source of water.
Sure, you may have figured out using treats works, but that by itself is not enough to keep the little birdies happy. Plus, it’s a lot easier to just put the treats out in your backyard and let the birds do their thing. The tricky part is giving them some water in a way that feels natural and inviting. Luckily, there’s a way around it – you just need to get a practical garden bird bath to attract all your little friends to get their much-needed hydration.
Sounds simple enough, right? That’s because it is. Nonetheless, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when putting up your bird bath. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is the Purpose of a Bird Bath?
Essentially, bird baths consist of a water-filled dish that’s suspended on some type of post. Birds come to these spots for one of two reasons – either to hydrate or preen. Or maybe even both. Once they notice that small puddle of water laid out in your garden, they immediately rush to it to freshen up. This is how you attract all sorts of birds that might have just flown by otherwise.
But see, bird baths aren’t useful for your flying friends only, since they can benefit your garden in many other ways as well. For starters, by having birds flying in and out at higher rates, they inevitably aerate the soil in your garden which then encourages healthy plant growth. In this way, they help groom all dead plants which leaves you with a more luscious garden.
In addition, birds feed on pests and all kinds of other harmful insects that might inflict continuous damage on your greenery. So, if you install a garden bird bath, the birds themselves will help lessen the blow by eliminating potential threats. And finally, you get to have a fun and unusual piece of decoration right in your backyard. Not too shabby, right?
All things considered, there really is more than what meets the eye here. If you really want to get the most out of your garden, you should really consider getting a bird bath.
Which Bird Bath Materials Are the Best?
These days, garden bird baths are available in loads of different shapes and sizes. But this means that the materials used to make them can also vary. Each one is charming in its own way so most of the time, the choice of materials is subjective. In any case, let’s do a brief overview of the materials.
Stone
We all know how difficult it is to scratch or chip away at stone. So not only is stone a classy and timeless material, it’s pretty tough and durable too. This means that it can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions such as hail and snowstorms. If you decide to get a stone bird bath, you probably won’t be dealing with cracks or external damage of any kind for a long time.
Marble
If you really want to have a bird bath with a unique and extraordinary design, then marble is the way to go. Its elegant and graceful appearance is bound to be your garden’s big statement piece. Do you want to know the best part? It’s just as long-lasting as it is stylish. For most people, it’s an all-round perfect building material.
Granite
Granite is highly resistant to water damage which is super convenient considering the fact that you’ll be using it to store water. The most striking feature of any granite-based decoration is its shiny and reflective surface which adds a feeling of luxury into the mix. So if you’re looking to add a touch of sophistication to your backyard area, then granite will give you just that.
Resin
For those of you that are fans of a minimalist design, resin might be the best choice. On the surface, resin closely resembles stone but it’s a much more lightweight and affordable alternative. Despite its lighter build, this material is quite resilient and hard to break so you won’t be cutting down on quality if you decide to cut down on the price.
Tips for Making the Most Out of Your Bird Bath
To wrap this discussion up, we’ll be listing a few tips for setting up a bird bath in your garden.
Be Mindful of the Location
No one wants to stay out in the sun for too long, right? And birds are no exception. This is why you should place your bird bath in a shady location to really let your little friends cool off and relax. Plus, the water inside the bath won’t evaporate as quickly as it would under direct sunlight.
If there’s no fully shaded location in your garden, consider putting the bath in an area that includes partial shade. For example, you can put it in a place where it’s sunny in the morning but is shady in the afternoon.
Keep the Water Clean
Think about it this way – would you be enthusiastic about drinking stale water? Probably not. Birds wouldn’t be either. If you’ve already decided on getting a garden bird bath, you should at least try to keep the water fresh and clean enough for drinking.
To ease refills, you can position your sprinklers in such a way that they automatically fill the bowl one they turn on. By doing this, you’ll be minimising your responsibility and saving up some time.
Make Room for Perching Spots
To make it bird-friendly, you should look out for perching spots along the edges of the bath. Not all birds are the same size and some of them might not feel comfortable diving into a deeper bath. Once you get these down, the little birdies can splish-splash all they want while you get to admire their beauty. Is there anything that could top that?