Gardening for you: Don't forget the birds
On these hot August days, don’t forget the birds in the garden. It is our job to make sure the birds that give so much pleasure when they visit our gardens have the water they need. Birds need fresh, clean water just like us humans.
Birds need water for several reasons. They drink water because water is essential for their hydration, but they also need water for their preening, an activity as necessary for a bird as is their hydration. Plus, watching birds as they preen is a favorite pastime for bird watchers as the birds frolic in the water, dipping and splashing, plucking parasites, shedding loose feathers, and shaking their plumage as they bathe. Water removes dust while cooling their metabolic systems, which is so important on these August days.
Adding a water feature will almost guarantee birds visit your garden. Water is one of the most important additions to a garden for a bird. The classic feature for attracting birds to the garden is a bird bath. Bird baths are an easy and fast means to provide water. There are two basic designs of bird baths: pedestals and dishes.
Pedestals make the classic bird bath design. Most pedestals are three to four feet tall, topped with a wide, shallow dish that is supported by a stylish columnar base. Pedestals can be ornate, others are more plain and functional without much decoration. They come in various colors and are constructed from glass, ceramic, metal, plastic, concrete, or resin.
If space is a constraint or pedestals don’t fit the garden pattern, simple dishes suffice as water delivery systems in the garden. Dishes can be placed on the ground, on tables, benches, rocks, or hung from pergolas. Placing dishes on or low to the ground has a major drawback of stalking cats that pose a danger to birds.
The main consideration when choosing bird baths is the depth of the dish. Dishes should be shallow enough that birds can stand on the edge and drink yet deep enough that they can splash for their grooming care.
Because moving water attracts birds, consider adding features like fountains or bubblers to pedestals to provide motion. Moving water is also a hygienic feature as aerated water reduces buildup of bacteria and mosquito larvae which incubate in standing water. Change water every few days to keep water fresh and clean.
Enterprising gardeners can install ponds with waterfalls or fountains. Ponds should be shallow enough that birds can safely preen so incorporate spots for them to perch while they drink. Waterfall features that cascade into the pond attract birds with motion and sound.
Birds flock to the garden when a water feature is added and birds bring such pleasure to the garden. One might say “gardening is for you and for the birds!“
Ellen Peffley taught horticulture at the college level for 28 years, 25 of those at Texas Tech, during which time she developed two onion varieties. She is now the sole proprietor of From the Garden, a market garden farmette. You can email her at gardens@suddenlink.net
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Gardening for you: Don't forget the birds