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Include Water, and Birds Will Come

by Susan Nelson Hopkins

Outdoor activity at home usually takes place in the backyard. This is where kids play and adults relax (unless they're watching those kids). It's also an ideal area for attracting birds.

The surest way to get a bird's attention is to introduce water into your landscape.

What is it about water that attracts birds?

From a birds-eye view, the glint of sunlight on water is like a spotlight shining in the dark... and it draws them in like a magnet.

And nothing makes water glint in the sun better than a fountain, or a dripper, or even a mist system.

Bird baths that will attract birds...

Since birds are attracted to anything with water, money is actually a non-event. As long as the container is from 1 1/2" to 2-1/2" deep with rough, slopping sides, it can be anything.

Some of the most successful bird gardens have these modest bird baths:

• Ordinary pie pans
• Flower pot saucers
• Toilet tank lids (upside down)
• Trash can lids (upside down)

Making found objects into successful bird baths...

• Adjust a too-deep container by adding stones to achieve the optimum water depth (1-1/2" to 2-1/2")
• Fit slopping edges that are too slippery (tongue twister, that) with aviary wire or something that will give birds a better footing to hop out. Just be sure they won't get caught in the wire.
• If container has straight sides, create a sloping edge with stones and pebbles so birds can climb out

When birds feel safe, they stay longer... and return often.

By the way, have a look at the articles in the Care of Wild Birds section. You will find tips and resources for feeding wild birds, caring for baby birds... even how to prevent wild birds from crashing into windows.

Moving water draws birds like a magnet...

Attaching a dripper to your birdbath will create ripples, and ripples reflect sunlight much more effectively than standing water.

Imagine seeing your backyard from a bird's viewing point... flying by or from a tree top. Sparkling light from below catches the eye immediately.

The sound of water attracts birds equally well...

Most drippers may not be noisy, but water fountains and waterfalls certainly are.

If you plan on using these features to attract birds, just remember the depth and edge requirements noted above.

It's really quite simple. If a bird garden includes water... they will come!

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