Birdbaths

I have a thing for birdbaths. I like the classic shape as well as more unusual shapes. And, although, I’m not a huge fan of the cute statues that have a basin for water, I do enjoy a gargoyle or other creature spewing water in a fountain. There are five birdbaths here in the gardens. Three are classic pedestal and basin models and two are shallow ground basins.

But, I discovered recently that the beautiful glazed bath I bought last year may not get a lot of use because it’s too slippery for the birds to grip onto! I did notice that it seemed to be getting less use than the other baths in the gardens. Birds apparently like a grittier surface, which explains why they like the rough stone models better. I added some stones to the glazed bath yesterday when I filled it to give some grip-ability for the birds.

The other thing I learned about birdbaths is that a birdbath isn’t just a bath, but a source of drinking water for birds! So, even though my glazed bath may not get used for bathing, birds may sit on the rim and sip from it. This is a good reason to keep the water in the baths clean and fresh. In hot weather, algae can build up quickly, and mosquitoes can breed in standing water.

Birds love the sound of splashing water, so, adding a fountain is a sure way to attract birds to your garden. I don’t have a fountain yet, but am looking for just the right one. In the meantime, I’m going to add to the birdbath collection.