Water the birdies…
When we first moved out here to the country, I thought it odd that there weren’t many birds other than the native roadrunners and a few sparrows. But when we hung a few birdfeeders and added a few birdbaths to our yard, they came. Slowly, but surely. Now, ten years later, we commonly get birds such as hummingbirds, tufted titmouses (titmice?), cardinals, mockingbirds, painted buntings and some of the native endangered or rare birds such as cedar waxwing and golden cheeked warblers.
In order to get a good look at these birds, I placed a birdbath right outside my office/studio window. Yesterday I was treated to a cardinal pecking at the small piece of ice in there, and another as-yet-unID’d bird that I’ve never seen here before.
I have several cement birdbaths, and one beloved cast iron one, but you know what? The birds don’t care what they’re made out of! I even have a few that are cheapy galvanized pans I found at the local hardware store for less than $5 each. Filled with water and a rock for the birds to stand on, they make great birdbaths for the birds who like to drink their water lower to the ground. Here’s an example of one I made:
Birds make great additions to an organic garden, since many of them eat their weight in bugs!
Dig it!
bobbi c.
Anxiously awaiting spring…
Copyright ©2005-2008 by Bobbi A. Chukran
birdfeeders, birdbath, inexpensive birdbath, DIY birdbath, galvanized birdbath
February 15th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
Great idea Bobbi!
I’ll have to try it as soon as the snow melts!
February 15th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
Bobbi, I thought this was such a great idea that I posted this URL to my gardeningorganically group to check out!
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ones, eh? More like the way Nature would do it!
Gloria
February 15th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Great idea Bobbi. Cheap is my middle name!
Beyond Birds
February 16th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Thanks, all! And thanks especially to Gloria…helping spread the word about organic gardening!
Amy, you can actually put one of these on top of the snow, although keeping the water from freezing can be a chore. On frozen mornings, I just go and pour hot water into it, and it melts enough for the birds to drink. I keep one closeby the back door so I don’t have to skate out to get to it!
Beyond Birds….don’t you mean “cheep” is your middle name? LOL!
March 20th, 2007 at 8:42 am
[...] I’m not suggesting everyone rush out and start a beehive, although, if you can, that would be great! But you can do other things….do not spray pesticides in your gardens, make sure there’s at least a small water source (see my previous article about the low cost birdbath), and plant things that bees love. They really love the rosemary, that would be a good start! [...]
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:15 am
Hello! great idea of color of this siyte!
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I was thinking of planting some rose bushes. Your blog post will be a lot of help.