Birdie Bath Time

jaelen · #1 (**permalink**) 16-01-2012, 05:45 PM

This morning I had to empty out the frozen frying pan I use as an impromptu bird bath, and refill it.

Within a little while, there must have been about a dozen birds in total fluttering around it, and queueing up to have a drink and a wash- the starlings were the most keen, and they would get in one right after another.

I was trying to get photos as best I could, considering that spot isn't very well lit and I was shooting through a double-glazed window

but I thought I'd share the few decent ones I was able to get.

Deb London · #2 (**permalink**) 16-01-2012, 05:55 PM

Fantastic close-ups jae. Mine have to make do with the pond (unless it freezes). Yours have a des res it seems.

Billabong Karen · #3 (**permalink**) 17-01-2012, 07:32 AM

How very cool! We have a running stream close by so I dont bother too much with the bird bath, but it is lovely to be able to see them splashing around like that from your window!

davedotcom · #4 (**permalink**) 17-01-2012, 07:38 AM

Great idea! My wife is keen to get a bird bath and I'm sure we've got an old frying pan or two!

Billabong Karen · #5 (**permalink**) 17-01-2012, 08:20 AM

Particularly in cold weather the birds need water just as much as food, both for drinking and for bathing.

jaelen · #6 (**permalink**) 17-01-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davedotcom

Great idea! My wife is keen to get a bird bath and I'm sure we've got an old frying pan or two!

I recommend the old frying pans... I originally wanted a proper bird bath, but was just planning to make do with the pan until I got one, but the longer I used it the more I prefer it.

For me, the most important is that the handle means it's easy for me to pick up and empty it, and clean it... and I can relocate it easier, too. I was careful of where I put it, because with it being on the ground it's more accessible to cats.

Also- it needs to be stabilised a bit, else it will wobble- we put some old tiles under it, along with those short bamboo bits to help keep it steady.

I've placed it on the side of the pond nearest to the house- that way any cats have to come up the path and around the pond to reach it- or over the ivy-covered fence that's to the right of the photo. Either way, they've been long spotted.

Please ignore all the unsightly mud in the foreground... we had to clear a lot of overgrown mess from there last autumn, and I'm still deciding on nice groundcover plants to go there! It's not too attractive at the moment.