All birds need to bathe frequently and preen their feathers in order to keep them in the best condition for flying and insulation. And just like us, they need clean water to drink.
Children can help attract many native birds to your garden by creating simple and inexpensive birdbaths to place in safe locations.
Drill a few holes in the top edge of a large plastic plant saucer or other shallow pan, thread wire through the holes to create a hanger, then find a strong tree branch to hang it. Thread the top of the wire hanger through a section of old garden hose to prevent damage to the branch bark when the birdbath moves with the wind.
If you have an old tree stump around, move it to within 10 ft of a large shrub or tree so that birds will have a safe place to fly to if a predator comes. Then place a large shallow pan or saucer on top of it for an instant pedestal birdbath. Use a large flat rock in the center to hold the pan down and give small birds a place to perch and wade in.
You can place a large saucer directly on the ground within a quick hop to safe shrubbery, as long as you do not have outdoor cats or dogs patrolling your garden. The birdbath pictured above is in the Magnuson Park Children's Garden, where this is not an issue and birds can quickly jump into the nearby Escallonia bushes if needed.
No matter what kind of birdbath you create or buy, it's important to remember to give it a quick scrub every few days and fill with clean water, especially in hot weather. Providing a source of clean water in a safe location will guarantee increased bird activity in your garden!
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