The best bird bath I've found was a Weathertek paint pan for a paint roller. It will hold more than a gallon of water and it slopes from the edge down to the bottom. I had all sizes of birds to use it. Robins really love it but I've had Tennessee warblers use it, too. The most unusual was a Cooper's hawk that used it a few times and our resident crows bathe in it once in a while. All the critters in the area drink from it. Squirrels, deer, domestic cats and all the birds come to it. It has been in the same place for 5 years, winter and summer and it is still going strong. I've never used a drip feature but I'd like to try it this spring.
I enjoyed your video and liked how you emphasized the water needs to make noise to attract them. I found out the sound of dripping water is an important key to success. One other thing I discovered that is crucial is having dense cover close to the drip. In Idaho I have had a drip in my yard for two decades. I got plenty of robins and other yard birds, but duirng August when warblers and flycatchers and vireos were migrating south and were in the bushes next to my yard, 10 yards from the water, they did not go to it. So I set up a drip in my aspen woods about 25 yards from the yard drip and those birds swarmed it! Dense cover was within 2 feet of the water drip, but open on the side I was photographing and it made all the difference. I have had more than 40 species go to my woodland drip. Again, great video and I am jealous you get those blue jays.
Thats interesting! I have upgraded this year and got a running fountain, Its not movable at this point. I have hemlock about 15 feet away and some trees behind it invariably they start up top and hop down to the water, but I bet if it was open it would get much less usage.
Saw your plant list, For grins I'd recommend you get some Bee Balm, Monarda didyma, lots of pollinators like it and hummers too. And the leaves smell wonderful. Native to PA.
I agree Kristie, Bee Balm is a great addition to the garden. Mine has really taken off this year and it looks amazing. Hoping to see hummingbirds enjoying it too.
Scott I have been working on something along those lines myself and have been looking at a Solar Powered Fountain pump to cycle the water this way it runs when the sun is out and I only have to top it off once and a while.
Scott, great idea! What did you use to line the inside of the log with, and did you poke a hole in the liner so it could drain? Or does the water naturally evaporate out of the bush box?
Even better this year. I added over 100 native plants in 3 years an removed tons of invasives. Its a lot of work but rewarding. I have an updated video that I will be recording soon on my new backyard.
Awesome photos.
Birds are addicting, just a few months ago I had no idea 😋
Now I want them in my garden.
The best bird bath I've found was a Weathertek paint pan for a paint roller. It will hold more than a gallon of water and it slopes from the edge down to the bottom. I had all sizes of birds to use it. Robins really love it but I've had Tennessee warblers use it, too. The most unusual was a Cooper's hawk that used it a few times and our resident crows bathe in it once in a while. All the critters in the area drink from it. Squirrels, deer, domestic cats and all the birds come to it. It has been in the same place for 5 years, winter and summer and it is still going strong. I've never used a drip feature but I'd like to try it this spring.
Oh my squirrels would get into that shower bag in a few minutes,they are so curious!
yes i only run it usually when I am set up nearby. then I try to scare them off
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Enjoyed it very much, always enjoyed watching my backyard birds - always tried to invite them in
Nice
I enjoyed your video and liked how you emphasized the water needs to make noise to attract them. I found out the sound of dripping water is an important key to success. One other thing I discovered that is crucial is having dense cover close to the drip. In Idaho I have had a drip in my yard for two decades. I got plenty of robins and other yard birds, but duirng August when warblers and flycatchers and vireos were migrating south and were in the bushes next to my yard, 10 yards from the water, they did not go to it. So I set up a drip in my aspen woods about 25 yards from the yard drip and those birds swarmed it! Dense cover was within 2 feet of the water drip, but open on the side I was photographing and it made all the difference. I have had more than 40 species go to my woodland drip. Again, great video and I am jealous you get those blue jays.
Thats interesting! I have upgraded this year and got a running fountain, Its not movable at this point. I have hemlock about 15 feet away and some trees behind it invariably they start up top and hop down to the water, but I bet if it was open it would get much less usage.
Great idea for a simple set up Scott.
Thanks for sharing, how wonderful. I remember from many years back when my dad left the hose running under a cedar tree. Warblers came down to bath.
NIce!
Pretty cool setup.
Saw your plant list, For grins I'd recommend you get some Bee Balm, Monarda didyma, lots of pollinators like it and hummers too. And the leaves smell wonderful. Native to PA.
I got bee balm all over lol Just not there. Make sure you follow me on IG for my plant obsession. I have 5 species of monarda!
I agree Kristie, Bee Balm is a great addition to the garden. Mine has really taken off this year and it looks amazing. Hoping to see hummingbirds enjoying it too.
I love it. Thanks 👍
Scott I have been working on something along those lines myself and have been looking at a Solar Powered Fountain pump to cycle the water this way it runs when the sun is out and I only have to top it off once and a while.
i have tried that as well but not loving the solar pump on the one I got.
Beautiful
Thank you! Cheers!
Great video, thank you for the idea and information.
I enjoyed this video
THanks!
Scott, great idea! What did you use to line the inside of the log with, and did you poke a hole in the liner so it could drain? Or does the water naturally evaporate out of the bush box?
I would place a little cake pan in there and when just dump and clean as needed
If that’s your backyard at your home it’s…..AHHHHHH SUM
Even better this year. I added over 100 native plants in 3 years an removed tons of invasives. Its a lot of work but rewarding. I have an updated video that I will be recording soon on my new backyard.
Wow. 24 days..
Great video, worth the wait.