Drinking plenty of clean water and taking a refreshing bath in summer is something every wild bird likes. Since birds visit our gardens anyway, we might as well invite them to join in the fun. But so that you can enjoy it all year round, we have to take a few things into account.
How should you set up a bird bath?
In order to set up a bird bath effectively, it should be of sufficient size and depth, made of winter-proof material, have a safe place in the garden, be cleaned regularly and pay attention to ice formation in winter.
Finding the right potion
A bird bath should be sufficiently large. It is also ideal if it is flat at the edge and becomes deeper towards the middle. Birds of different sizes can take a bath in it. 2.5 cm depth at the shallowest point and 10 cm at the deepest point are optimal. The waterer should also be roughened so that birds can find support both at the edge when drinking and when bathing in the middle of the water.
Winterproof materials
No matter whether you go shopping or build the bird bath yourself, you should pay attention to the material. Natural stone and metal, for example, are winter-proof. It makes sense for a watering trough to keep the valuable water available for the local birds even in winter. The shallow edges of bodies of water freeze over quickly in winter. Only waterfowl can venture further.
Find a suitable place
A bird bath in the garden is sure to be quickly discovered by little flyers. But whether they actually land on birdbaths regularly has a lot to do with their location. Birds want to feel safe in their water bath or at least be able to fly away easily if danger threatens. For example, when a cat approaches. That's why you should pay attention to the following criteria when setting up the bird bath:
- don't place too close to bushes
- at least 3 m distance is appropriate
- Bushes at a safe distance are desired
- If necessary, they can be flown to as a hiding place
- Place potions in an elevated position, e.g. B. on a stand
- Only place waterers on short-mown lawns
Tip
Do not place a bird bath too close to buildings. There is a risk of injury to the animals during the approach.
Clean regularly
It is important to clean the drinker regularly and change the water. Harmful germs multiply quickly in the warmth. The birds can get sick if they bathe in or even drink contaminated water.
Watch out for ice formation in winter
When the thermometer drops below zero in winter, shallow bird baths freeze over in no time. If necessary, add small amounts of warm water regularly to prevent this. You can also use grave lights (€25.00 on Amazon) and special warming plates to keep the birdbath free of ice in winter.
