Why moving water brings birds in.
If you only add one thing to a garden for birds, make it water. Every bird drinks and bathes, including the many that never touch a seed feeder.
Water first
Birds need water year-round: in summer heat, through dry spells, and in winter when natural sources freeze. A shallow, clean bath draws insect-eaters and honeyeaters that a feeder never will.
Where to put a bird bath
- In the open enough that birds can see a cat coming, with a shrub or tree 2 to 3 m away to dart into.
- Shallow: around 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in). Add a flat stone if your bath is deeper.
- Somewhere you can see from inside, of course.
How a solar fountain helps
Birds notice the sparkle and sound of moving water from further away. A floating solar fountain needs no wiring: drop it into your bath, and it sprays whenever the panel is in direct sun. In shade or heavy cloud it rests until the sun returns. That's normal.
Keeping it clean
Change the water every couple of days, scrub the bath weekly, and wipe the solar panel if it gets dusty. Fresh, moving water also gives mosquitoes less chance to breed.
Written by the Perchwild team. Questions? Write to us.
