Garden Bird Bath Selection GuideGarden bird baths provide a lovely finishing touch to any yard or garden, and
finding the right one is easy provided you keep a few things in mind.
Birds love water, and really love moving, warm water. Keeping a clean,
well maintained bird bath in the garden year-round will ensure hours of
entertainment from a variety of visiting bird species.
Most
garden bird baths are made of stone, copper, steel, or glass. Stone is a bird
favorite, as the rough surface provides plenty of traction for landing,
bathing, and drinking. Stone bird baths are a little more difficult to
clean, however, they can feature very intricate designs and are the
most durable. Metal bird baths are sturdy and contemporary, and are
easy to fit into the theme of your garden, but can be difficult to
manage when wet feathers and debris freeze to them in the colder
weather. Try to avoid bird baths constructed from materials that may
leach chemicals into the water, such as painted plastics and treated
wood.
Placement of your bird bath is quite easy. First, try to
choose a location where pets or children aren't likely to nose around,
or get into trouble. You'll want to nestle your bird bath near trees
and shrubs that will provide safe shelter for the birds, but not so
close that bird droppings and leaves will dirty the bird bath water.
Hopefully there is some light shade provided by those trees and shrubs,
as you'll want to avoid placing the bird bath in direct sunlight.
Garden bird baths can sit on pedestals, hang from trees, or mount to deck
railing.
Did we mention that birds love warm moving water?
Drippers and water movers are a great way to accessorize your bird bath,
as are water heaters. Heaters with built-in thermometers and automatic
shut-off are ideal for the winter months, and drippers are fantastic
for spring and summer months when hummingbirds are around.
Sound
like a lot? Well, the most important thing to remember, if you forget
everything here, is to take the time to ENJOY your bird bath. It's
really a fantastic addition to your garden, and with a little common
sense, a bird bath provide you with years of entertainment.
Here are some tips on bird bath accessories and maintenance- Air and water pumps can be used to aerate and circulate the water in
your bird bath. Birds are especially attracted to moving water
- If you use a bird bath heater, make sure they're plugged into a grounded outdoor GFI outlet
- Replace the water daily, especially in hot climates
- Clean your bird bath once a week with a generic bleach-based cleaner, or heavy-duty bird bath-specific cleaner
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