A magpie visits Workshop member annettespanski's bird bathAs the weather heats up so does our wildlife. Many of the birds, insects and other animals in your area will appreciate any water you can leave out for them so they can have a drink and maybe a splash.
Of course, it's very important to keep the water nice and clean for them.
Birds in Backyards has a helpful guide to providing water for birds, which includes selecting safe places to put bird baths and other water vessels to protect birds from attack by cats.
When I first bought a bird bath some years ago I was immediately surprised by how many insects began using it – especially stingless native bees.
Many other native insects also need water to drink, or to make mud for building their nests.
Insects need water tooThe most constant visitors to my bird bath here on the Gold Coast are noisy miners, which drink and bathe in it every day. Grey butcherbirds are a distant second, followed by the occasional currawong or kookaburra (though when the kookaburras come for a dip they mostly prefer the swimming pool).
An old dog gets a taste of some very noisy minersMy bird bath is also a great attraction for a large, black labrador cross. I can only assume it's because the water tastes a bit like chicken...
I've also placed a few jam-jar lids full of water around the garden so that lizards can have a little drink (I don't want to put out anything deep enough for them to drown in).
The photos in this post come from Backyard vegetable garden makeover by @annettespanski, Bargain bird bath by @LisasGarden, and my own backyard. Other Workshop members who have bird baths include @fgrieve, @Remarka6le, @PN and @homeinmelbourne – and it would be interesting to hear what has been visiting them too.
Do you have a bird bath yourself? What wildlife comes to visit? We'd love to see any photos you have of your feathered friends having a splash.
