Thank you for the great tips, I ordered the bird bath from your link! We just love watching and enjoying the beautiful birds that make our place their living quarters. Sarah
Thank you for caring for God’s creatures. So many people don’t even think about them. I thought I was one of the only ones I even buy the plastic ice packs hard plastic ice packs from the dollar store. I freeze them and put them in when I go to work to try to keep the water cool for them during the hot summer days in Florida.
The Amazon birdbaths don't last and start leaking after about two seasons. My original ones, same style, same manufacturer were much sturdier and lasted for years. Now the last two I purchased started leaking and even cracked the first season. I plant flowers in them when they stop holding water. Most store bought "baths" are too deep for the little birds, I find rocks to put on the bottom so the small birds can bathe or stop for a drink without fear of drowning.
I was kind of surprised by the thickness of them. For the price, I expected them to be much thinner and far more flimsy. I'm still holding out for durability over the years.
@@klee88029 it’s just a hose with a little valve on one end that you can adjust the amount of drip. On the other end it hooks up to the water faucet. We have one of those metal hooks used for hanging baskets stuck in the ground by the bird feeder and we used zip ties to attach the dripper at a height that makes a loud drip. The birds are attracted to the noise. They love it. We ordered ours online but the big box stores have them. Or you can just buy the parts and make your own. They used to be around $30 but now about $80. Too much for a little bit of plastic, lol.😂
I can see through my kitchen window under the peach tree or under the crêpe myrtle tree. They do love being up high in the trees. They got food and water, and I like laying out in the yard and watching them close by.🥰💕
I have birdbath underneath my tree. and I feed them sunflower seeds away from the water hanging from the tree. That way they can take a bath if they want drink them some water I got the same birdbath from Aldi’s. I think it’s a great idea to put some rock pebbles in it I didn’t think of that. Thanks.
Great video! I have the birdbath that you showed at the beginning. You can also use landscape pins to keep it from tipping. If you use a higher water pressure when rinsing, you don’t have to unpin and re-pin. I love your lizard towers, too, and will make some of them for the skinks that currently live in my gutter spouts! 🐸❤️🐸
It's been a good bird bath so far. I really like the lizard Tower and the other lizard homes I've made. Once my schedule clears and the weather cooperates I'll be putting out another video about the various lizard habitats I have around the yard. I'm also going to show how to make what I call a lizard condo 🙂
Another thing bugs love standing water, so it's important to change the water before their larvae hatches. I have that exact birdbath and it came with bottom anchors to pin it to the ground. I'm sure thin tent stakes would work as well. As far as predators in trees I'd be more worried about predator birds ie. hawks, falcons, owls than cats. Cats will pounce on ground feeding birds.
The way our yard is oriented, the only places that are shady, are under trees. That’s a mess! I have a small solar fountain that is wired to its solar panel and you can place the panel where needed to maximize sun exposure (within reason - cord is about 3’ long) which makes it easier to get some water movement.
I have to change my bird water basically every day because crows like to dip their food in it and it gets so dirty immediately. One time I found like half of a baguette in there.
I also bought this one! Love it so much, it’s the fav for my local birds. And super easy to clean. I haven’t tried the rock idea, but I have a set-up like that elsewhere in the garden.
Yep, it's a good one and I'll probably get another one. I saw on some blogs the idea of adding rocks. Some say it gives pollinators a place to land and get water, I've seen this. The next one I get will be geared more for hummingbirds, with a little solar fountain.
Thanks, this helped me find a better spot for my birdbath. I heard once that it’s harder for birds to find clean water than to find food. Thanks for caring😊.
@summervillegardener I’ll give you a heads up, I tried a small solar fountain and the small volume of water meant that the fountain pumped all the water out of the basin in about 5 minutes in full sunlight. If you wanna do a solar fountain, you’ll need a wider amount of water and keep the thing floating in the center.
My bird loves to get up on my Peachtree. They love hanging out underneath the tree. That’s where I have my birdfeeders hanging and I have the birdfeeders away from the water they got birdbath they got water. They love being in the trees and in my crêpe myrtle they love being under the crêpe myrtle tree.
I used landscape cloth staples to hold the bird bath down bc I have the same one and we just had huge storm, blew away my garbage cans, my closed patio umbrellas but the bird bath stayed put.
Sounds like they would work a lot better than what you get in the box. I've been lucky so far without, but then again I haven't had a tropical storm or hurricane blow through here... yet.
thanks for the video and thanks for caring about birds. if you are interested in bringing birds into your yard, please plant native plants that are useful to birds. I notice many plants were added to your yard but I see no key plants which birds depend upon. Checkout a list of keystone species as recommmended by Doug Tallamy, who write Natures Best Hope. Thank you.
Thanks for the reference to check out! The general plan is to do the backyard in phases, get ground covered, add larger trees and bushes for fruits and berries, add natives and things for pollinators, and add some supporting projects along the way (Outdoor sink? Arches for vines? Pergola?). I'll probably get a small veggie plot started at some point too, and a "herbs and spices" garden as well. I appreciate all comments and suggestions and will try to incorporate them all. Keep 'em coming!
Could you please do a video on your lizard tower, I would like to hear how it works. We have a lot of geckos in our yard and they are hanging on our stucco house, be nice if they had a home!
Absolutely! My plan is to show it off along with building what I'm calling a "lizard condo." Probably show a couple of my other lizard hangouts around the yard too.
Your birdbath placement is unfortunately wrong. When a bird is wet, that's when it's most vulnerable because they can't fly. I've been doing bird seed and birdbaths for over 35 years. I even make my own suet for the birds. You need some cover for them to get to quickly for safety. Birdbaths out in the open won't work
🎉 I make sure mine are under a tree for shade in the summer and for the birds to be able to escape to quickly. The shade cuts down algae growth, keeps the water cooler in hot weather. I also put 2 old pennies in the baths. Pre-1990's. A VERY Small amount of copper is safe for the birds and inhibits algae growth also. Every 2-3 days I add a splash, 2 oz or so to make around a 10% solution of white vinegar, Any kind, add to the water, let it sit for 30 minutes then give the baths a good scrubbing and rinsing. I only do this when I know that I will be moving around the baths areas to keep the birds from dunking in or drinking water with vinegar in it. 10% vinegar solutions disinfect just about everything you can safely apply it to. 🍻👍🧓
Take into account squirrels that will do long jumps, launching themselves toward the water. Under a tree is not a risk I’d take. Shade is fine, but trees trunks are runways for squirrels.
You don't need to purchase a "bird bath". A shallow bowl will work as well. Keep an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales. They don't want their water more than an inch or two in depth. If possible, add a solar power mini fountain or bubbler because birds are attracted to the sound and motion of water. Don't fret too much about predators. You are supplying food and drink to more critters than you think. Mother Nature has her own rules and a balance to maintain.
Ik heb mussen, minstens grote 3 families, samen wel 200 in de buurt. Ze willen wel drinken uit hetzelfde plastic ding, maar nemen geen bad. Ik weet niet wat ik fout doe. I have sparrows, at least 3 large families, together some 200 in the area. They all want to drink from a similar plastic thing, but they don't take a bath. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
🎉 I make sure mine are under a tree for shade in the summer and for the birds to be able to escape to quickly. The shade cuts down algae growth, keeps the water cooler in hot weather. I also put 2 old pennies in the baths. Pre-1990's. A VERY Small amount of copper is safe for the birds and inhibits algae growth also. Every 2-3 days I add a splash, 2 oz or so to make around a 10% solution of white vinegar, Any kind, add to the water, let it sit for 30 minutes then give the baths a good scrubbing and rinsing. I only do this when I know that I will be moving around the baths areas to keep the birds from dunking in or drinking water with vinegar in it. 10% vinegar solutions disinfect just about everything you can safely apply it to. 🍻👍🧓
I'll have to try that vinegar cleaning tip. I tried using the pressure washer, it did work, but it also took a little bit of paint with it. Can't wait for trees to grow up, so I can make use of their shade. Algae is no joke.
@@SummervilleGardener I know, it's very annoying but not harmful to the birds if you miss a day. I live in Luna County, New Mexico where we are getting 100°+ days from mid-May - early September most days now, so the algae growth is prolific. And we are not getting as heavy nor as frequent monsoon rains. Only 3 so far this season. I give them fresh cooler water morning and afternoon in their baths on those >100° days. Oh! And I bought a kids plastic 39" Splash pad marked down to $10 at Tractor Supply a couple of weeks ago. I turn that on low, to get about a 4-6" spray around 5pm for an hour and they LOVE IT. I just sit outside about 25 feet away watching them dance and shake their feathers all over. My daily "therapy session" instead of watching the evening news😅.
@@klee88029ah yes, I remember the monsoon seasons when I lived near Las Cruces for a few years. That's some wash out the road kind of rain. Here in the coastal Carolinas we're in the rainy season where it rains nearly every afternoon, then the sun generally comes right back out afterwards.
Thank you for the great tips, I ordered the bird bath from your link! We just love watching and enjoying the beautiful birds that make our place their living quarters. Sarah
It's a good option for sure. Thank you!
Thank you for caring for God’s creatures. So many people don’t even think about them. I thought I was one of the only ones I even buy the plastic ice packs hard plastic ice packs from the dollar store. I freeze them and put them in when I go to work to try to keep the water cool for them during the hot summer days in Florida.
I never thought of that! I'll be trying that to see what the reaction is. Thanks!
@@Work1963 What a wonderful and cheap and easy way to help the animals. 🎉BRAVO 👍 😘
Enjoyed your video. Keep up the great work!
Thanks, you too! I didn't realize I wasn't subbing your channel yet.
The Amazon birdbaths don't last and start leaking after about two seasons. My original ones, same style, same manufacturer were much sturdier and lasted for years. Now the last two I purchased started leaking and even cracked the first season. I plant flowers in them when they stop holding water. Most store bought "baths" are too deep for the little birds, I find rocks to put on the bottom so the small birds can bathe or stop for a drink without fear of drowning.
I was kind of surprised by the thickness of them. For the price, I expected them to be much thinner and far more flimsy. I'm still holding out for durability over the years.
Mine looks like the same one. Had it over 10 years now...no leaks
We put a cheap dripper above our bird bath. They love it.
@@ntamny Awesome idea!
@@ntamny What is a dripper, please?
@@klee88029 it’s just a hose with a little valve on one end that you can adjust the amount of drip. On the other end it hooks up to the water faucet. We have one of those metal hooks used for hanging baskets stuck in the ground by the bird feeder and we used zip ties to attach the dripper at a height that makes a loud drip. The birds are attracted to the noise. They love it. We ordered ours online but the big box stores have them. Or you can just buy the parts and make your own. They used to be around $30 but now about $80. Too much for a little bit of plastic, lol.😂
I can see through my kitchen window under the peach tree or under the crêpe myrtle tree. They do love being up high in the trees. They got food and water, and I like laying out in the yard and watching them close by.🥰💕
Sounds like some happy birds!
Thanks. Great info. 😊
You are so welcome!
I have birdbath underneath my tree. and I feed them sunflower seeds away from the water hanging from the tree. That way they can take a bath if they want drink them some water I got the same birdbath from Aldi’s. I think it’s a great idea to put some rock pebbles in it I didn’t think of that. Thanks.
Rocks in the bath are good for both birds and the pollinators 🙂
Great video! I have the birdbath that you showed at the beginning. You can also use landscape pins to keep it from tipping. If you use a higher water pressure when rinsing, you don’t have to unpin and
re-pin. I love your lizard towers, too, and will make some of them for the skinks that currently live in my gutter spouts! 🐸❤️🐸
It's been a good bird bath so far. I really like the lizard Tower and the other lizard homes I've made. Once my schedule clears and the weather cooperates I'll be putting out another video about the various lizard habitats I have around the yard. I'm also going to show how to make what I call a lizard condo 🙂
@@SummervilleGardener Can’t wait to see the lizard condos!🐸
Another thing bugs love standing water, so it's important to change the water before their larvae hatches. I have that exact birdbath and it came with bottom anchors to pin it to the ground. I'm sure thin tent stakes would work as well. As far as predators in trees I'd be more worried about predator birds ie. hawks, falcons, owls than cats. Cats will pounce on ground feeding birds.
@@minxella12 Great point, the mosquitoes here love an unkept bird bath for sure!
I lived in Summerville, SC back in 1979 when I was first married!
I can tell ya, this place has changed a lot since then. It's changed a ton since I first saw it in 2000.
The way our yard is oriented, the only places that are shady, are under trees. That’s a mess! I have a small solar fountain that is wired to its solar panel and you can place the panel where needed to maximize sun exposure (within reason - cord is about 3’ long) which makes it easier to get some water movement.
Yeah, I've got 2 very small corners with some shade, but it's not much. I'm trying to figure out ways to create more shady areas.
I have to change my bird water basically every day because crows like to dip their food in it and it gets so dirty immediately. One time I found like half of a baguette in there.
I wonder, who lost their lunch to a bird 🤔 Crow's can be pretty entertaining, but a nuisance at the same time.
@@SummervilleGardener I think it's this bahn mi place several blocks away from my house that they get lucky at sometimes!
I also bought this one! Love it so much, it’s the fav for my local birds. And super easy to clean. I haven’t tried the rock idea, but I have a set-up like that elsewhere in the garden.
PS: I did end up making my own stakes for it (the ones provided are too short), but otherwise I love this thing
Yep, it's a good one and I'll probably get another one. I saw on some blogs the idea of adding rocks. Some say it gives pollinators a place to land and get water, I've seen this. The next one I get will be geared more for hummingbirds, with a little solar fountain.
I didn't even bother with the stakes. Its pretty steady filled with sand and sitting on paver stone.
Thanks, this helped me find a better spot for my birdbath. I heard once that it’s harder for birds to find clean water than to find food. Thanks for caring😊.
@summervillegardener I’ll give you a heads up, I tried a small solar fountain and the small volume of water meant that the fountain pumped all the water out of the basin in about 5 minutes in full sunlight. If you wanna do a solar fountain, you’ll need a wider amount of water and keep the thing floating in the center.
My bird loves to get up on my Peachtree. They love hanging out underneath the tree. That’s where I have my birdfeeders hanging and I have the birdfeeders away from the water they got birdbath they got water. They love being in the trees and in my crêpe myrtle they love being under the crêpe myrtle tree.
Good plan!
I used landscape cloth staples to hold the bird bath down bc I have the same one and we just had huge storm, blew away my garbage cans, my closed patio umbrellas but the bird bath stayed put.
Sounds like they would work a lot better than what you get in the box. I've been lucky so far without, but then again I haven't had a tropical storm or hurricane blow through here... yet.
thanks for the video and thanks for caring about birds. if you are interested in bringing birds into your yard, please plant native plants that are useful to birds. I notice many plants were added to your yard but I see no key plants which birds depend upon. Checkout a list of keystone species as recommmended by Doug Tallamy, who write Natures Best Hope. Thank you.
Thanks for the reference to check out! The general plan is to do the backyard in phases, get ground covered, add larger trees and bushes for fruits and berries, add natives and things for pollinators, and add some supporting projects along the way (Outdoor sink? Arches for vines? Pergola?). I'll probably get a small veggie plot started at some point too, and a "herbs and spices" garden as well. I appreciate all comments and suggestions and will try to incorporate them all. Keep 'em coming!
❤
Thanks!
I loved the idea of a bird bath but wound up with a 6 foot diameter weed patch.
🤣 how did that happen? There's gotta be a story there!
@@SummervilleGardener You know about bird baths but not about how seeds grow when scattered around it?
So you mean you had a bird feeder and seeds sprouted? That is to be expected. There is a difference though between a bird feeder and bird bath.
@@triciac1019 Brain farther.
Could you please do a video on your lizard tower, I would like to hear how it works. We have a lot of geckos in our yard and they are hanging on our stucco house, be nice if they had a home!
Absolutely! My plan is to show it off along with building what I'm calling a "lizard condo." Probably show a couple of my other lizard hangouts around the yard too.
You may find excellent information through the University of Florida and Texas for varieties of fruit that are cold hardy. Esp. mangoes and avocado.
That's a great idea! I've been using the Clemson website for much of my plant research so far.
They need to build these with stakes, so you can put them in the ground and never tip over.
The one I got came with three 6-in long thin metal stakes to help hold it down. I'm told landscape fabric Staples do work better.
Your birdbath placement is unfortunately wrong. When a bird is wet, that's when it's most vulnerable because they can't fly. I've been doing bird seed and birdbaths for over 35 years. I even make my own suet for the birds. You need some cover for them to get to quickly for safety. Birdbaths out in the open won't work
You make your own suet? Care to share your recipe?
🎉 I make sure mine are under a tree for shade in the summer and for the birds to be able to escape to quickly. The shade cuts down algae growth, keeps the water cooler in hot weather. I also put 2 old pennies in the baths. Pre-1990's. A VERY Small amount of copper is safe for the birds and inhibits algae growth also. Every 2-3 days I add a splash, 2 oz or so to make around a 10% solution of white vinegar, Any kind, add to the water, let it sit for 30 minutes then give the baths a good scrubbing and rinsing. I only do this when I know that I will be moving around the baths areas to keep the birds from dunking in or drinking water with vinegar in it. 10% vinegar solutions disinfect just about everything you can safely apply it to. 🍻👍🧓
Take into account squirrels that will do long jumps, launching themselves toward the water. Under a tree is not a risk I’d take. Shade is fine, but trees trunks are runways for squirrels.
@@adeschene7554 I live in the Desert, no squirrels here. I miss seeing them. 😉🧓
@klee88029 now I want to encourage the squirrels to do some diving in 🤣
You don't need to purchase a "bird bath". A shallow bowl will work as well. Keep an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales. They don't want their water more than an inch or two in depth. If possible, add a solar power mini fountain or bubbler because birds are attracted to the sound and motion of water. Don't fret too much about predators. You are supplying food and drink to more critters than you think. Mother Nature has her own rules and a balance to maintain.
All excellent points! Maybe I should put in a little pond with a waterfall too ;)
Ik heb mussen, minstens grote 3 families, samen wel 200 in de buurt. Ze willen wel drinken uit hetzelfde plastic ding, maar nemen geen bad. Ik weet niet wat ik fout doe.
I have sparrows, at least 3 large families, together some 200 in the area. They all want to drink from a similar plastic thing, but they don't take a bath. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
I don't think you are doing anything wrong. Providing a space for them is what is important.
🎉 I make sure mine are under a tree for shade in the summer and for the birds to be able to escape to quickly. The shade cuts down algae growth, keeps the water cooler in hot weather. I also put 2 old pennies in the baths. Pre-1990's. A VERY Small amount of copper is safe for the birds and inhibits algae growth also. Every 2-3 days I add a splash, 2 oz or so to make around a 10% solution of white vinegar, Any kind, add to the water, let it sit for 30 minutes then give the baths a good scrubbing and rinsing. I only do this when I know that I will be moving around the baths areas to keep the birds from dunking in or drinking water with vinegar in it. 10% vinegar solutions disinfect just about everything you can safely apply it to. 🍻👍🧓
I'll have to try that vinegar cleaning tip. I tried using the pressure washer, it did work, but it also took a little bit of paint with it. Can't wait for trees to grow up, so I can make use of their shade. Algae is no joke.
@@SummervilleGardener I know, it's very annoying but not harmful to the birds if you miss a day. I live in Luna County, New Mexico where we are getting 100°+ days from mid-May - early September most days now, so the algae growth is prolific. And we are not getting as heavy nor as frequent monsoon rains. Only 3 so far this season. I give them fresh cooler water morning and afternoon in their baths on those >100° days. Oh! And I bought a kids plastic 39" Splash pad marked down to $10 at Tractor Supply a couple of weeks ago. I turn that on low, to get about a 4-6" spray around 5pm for an hour and they LOVE IT. I just sit outside about 25 feet away watching them dance and shake their feathers all over. My daily "therapy session" instead of watching the evening news😅.
@@klee88029ah yes, I remember the monsoon seasons when I lived near Las Cruces for a few years. That's some wash out the road kind of rain. Here in the coastal Carolinas we're in the rainy season where it rains nearly every afternoon, then the sun generally comes right back out afterwards.
@@SummervilleGardener Ha funny. I lived in Cruces from 95-99 and Washington NC in 2001. I miss the coastal weather and life. A lot.
I spent a few years in the early 2000s out at WSMR. It's a cool place to visit, but I gotta be closer to some salt water.