Have you ever heard of Birdscaping? Birdscaping is designing your landscape with birds in mind. Your landscape will provide a welcoming place for a variety of species of birds when you incorporate seed-producing plants for food, native trees for nesting and and by installing a bird bath for bathing and drinking. Offering water is a crucial part of your birdscaping plan. How do you get started installing a bird bath and what should you know first? Here are 8 tips for success!
Tip 1: Always have a Bird Bath out during Migration Times
Migration season is the best time to attract unique or rare visitors to your landscape. Not every bird is attracted by seeds, but they will all stop for water. Having a bird bath during the peak migration times will increase the diversity of your visitors.
Tip 2: Bigger is better
Often, we are attracted to cute little things that take up little space, but if we go that route with a bird bath, we might be missing out on attracting more of our feathered friends. Larger birdbaths with a wider bowl will provide the most room for multiple feathered friends to share the bath at once. If you really must have that little decorative bath you can landscape with two or three birdbaths in a small space and create a more visually appealing birdscape.
Tip 3: Location, Location, Location
Just like in real estate location really does matter. Birds appreciate cover that makes them feel safe and secure. Try and choose a spot that is near shrubs or trees, or other cover and they will be more likely to use it. If possible, place the bird bath in a more shaded area. A shaded area will allow for cooler water which will decrease algae growth and decreases the likelihood that insects will lay eggs in the water. Full sun will increase the evaporation rate of the water and it will dry out quicker, so it’s important to find the spot with full or partial shade. Ideally the spot will also be somewhere you can fully appreciate the birds stopping by.
Tip 4: Birds like to perch
It’s important to think of all types of birds when installing your bird bath. Some birds, like songbirds, don’t like deeper water. If you have a deeper bird bath you can add some rocks or other objects that provide a safe landing spot for birds to splash and preen.
Tip 5: Birds prefer moving water
One of the secrets to attracting birds is offering moving water. Not all of us can live by a beautiful stream. If you already have a water feature in your yard such as a fountain or small pond, they will enjoy this. If not, you can add water movement device, solar powered fountains, or even a simple dripper to the bath and this will allow for water movement that will attract more birds.
Tip 6: Mind the temperature
Even though here in Visalia we don’t get the same freezing temperatures as other areas we do have colder temperatures in the winter months. In the winter you can add a heater to the bird bath, and this will attract more birds. In the hotter summer months, it’s beneficial to add a block of ice to your bird bath. This will help your backyard birds during heat waves by providing a chilled drink or bath to enjoy.
Tip 7: Cleaning is important
Cleaning will lengthen the life of your bird bath and provide clean water for your birdies. Cleaning doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. You only need to do a simple scrub every week.
Tip 8: Fresh is best
Keep your water fresh. Add your bird bath to your watering routine and this will make it more appealing to the birds. Sprinkler systems, drip water systems, rain downspouts, can all be useful sources of fresh water.
Adding a bird bath to your space will increase the bird activity in your yard and make it more appealing to them year-round. Feel free to stop by with any questions you might have about the best bird bath ideas.
