Garden Bird Feeders

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Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard

If you like watching the fluttering, fanciful nature and playing of birds, watching birds in your own backyard or right outside your window can truly be entertaining. It’s amazing how many different bird species you can observe. If you’ve never noticed many birds in your backyard, there are some things you can try to attract them. With bird baths, a great bird house and different bird feeders, it won’t be very long before you have some special visitors out back.

If you were to add a birdhouse to your backyard, there’s a chance of a bird making their home in it. They will not only visit now and then, but if it is snug and cozy, they may choose it as where they hatch their babies. This would be a real treat because you may even get a glimpse at the babies every now and then, or when it’s time for them to learn to fly. A birdhouse is not only a place the birds will enjoy, but it is a lovely backyard decoration as well. Of course, there are an assortment of types, shapes and sizes of birdhouses, and the one you choose had everything to do with your unique taste.

You can find several different bird feeders on the market, and a majority of them fall into one of three different categories. There are tube feeders, tray feeders, and hoppers. Tube feeders are shaped like a cylinder, with perches at the openings where the food is accessed. Tube feeders are ideal for a variety of seed types, as long as the openings are big enough for the feed to come through. Hopper feeders will appeal to birds that are tentative about tray or tube feeders. Tray feeders are fantastic for smaller birds. If you don’t care what types of birds are attracted to your backyard, and you just want to enjoy and appreciate whatever visitor shows up, you can get a general seed bird food. Most bird seed can appeal to a large bird variety, because it has got a number of seed types. If you want a certain species of bird to come to your backyard, you’ll want to include a seed or food that is a favorite of that particular species.

Bird baths are a perfect thing to include in your backyard if you are looking more birds to visit. They love wading and splashing in the water, and as long as it’s kept clean, they’ll love it even more. You can choose from conventional bird baths, or you can get something a little different, like a fountain that’s solar powered. Bird baths with moving water will attract birds that would not commonly visit your standard bath, including humming birds, warblers, thrushes and robins. Birds especially love moving water, and it easily attracts them. Bird baths are also great looking in your garden. There are some people who love bird baths for the fact that they bring the birds closer than they customarily would. A bird bath is a wonderful chance to take some wonderful pictures, and enjoy the birds’ company.

Implementing these three things easily can make your backyard a little more appealing to birds. There are a few other wonderful things you can add, like sweet-smelling flowers, and nooks and crannies so that the birds can hide. If birds feel secure and safe in your yard, they will stick around. Have a great time bird watching!

Author’s Bio

Ms. Elizabeth Ellis is a leading expert in backyard birding and has written a number of articles related to bird feeders, backyard bird watching, bird houses. Please check out 14thebirds.com to read her other highly recommended work on things like solar bird baths, bird houses, a variety of bird feeders and more.

Why Install a Bird Bath?

Many people enjoy the sight and sound of birds in the garden – the color, movement, and song they provide adds life to a garden and can be very restful, evoking a peaceful, rural atmosphere.

One of the best ways to attract birds to a garden is by adding a bird bath to your garden. Bird baths do not take up much room, and can be fairly cheaply bought, and very cheaply and simply made for oneself. Birds always need to drink and wash, and by providing a good bird bath you can often gain a loyal following of birds who will visit your garden throughout the year.

Bird baths bring a whole host of benefits to a garden – not only do they provide a vital amenity for the birds, but they help your garden, encouraging visiting birds to interact with and extend the miniature ecosystem of your garden by feeding and washing themselves – they may also feed from your soil and plants, helping to keep a natural balance of worms and insects.

What’s A Good Bird Bath?

Designing and installing a good bird bath need not be complicated, but there are a few things you need to get right:

1. It shouldn’t be too deep – a maximum of two inches in the middle, shelving up to the rim, is ideal. Birds will be tempted to bathe in deep water, and can easily end up getting waterlogged and drowning. This can be avoided by keeping the water fairly shallow.

2. Choose a material with rough surface – concrete or some kind of stone is ideal to prevent birds from loosing their footing in the water, and to enable them to get a firm grip on the edge of the bath when they are drinking from it.

3. Locate the bird bath in a safe area – when washing, birds become more vulnerable and can be targeted by larger birds of prey, such as hawks, and domestic cats. If possible, locate the bird bath near to bushes that the birds can use for cover, but make sure the bushes aren’t suitable for lurking cats! You can do this by leaving some thorny cuttings (from a rose bush, for example) around the base of the bush.

4. Hygiene is important. Bird baths are filled with standing water which will gradually accumulate feathers, bird droppings and dead leaves. If the water is left standing for too long, algae will also begin to grow in the bird bath.

Change the water regularly, and give the inside of the bird bath a scrub with an outdoor brush or similar occasionally, to remove any traces of algae.

5. Birds are cautious animals – they will ignore your bird bath when it is new, but after they see it has been established for a few days will gradually start to use it. Make sure you choose its location carefully, and then leave it to get established for a while, just changing the water regularly.

Bird Bath Designs

You might have noticed that in the previous section we didn’t look at how far off the ground the bird bath should be. In principle, it doesn’t matter that much, within reason. To see bird bath designs, visit http://www.garden-fountains.com.

Bird baths can have several different basic configurations, some at ground level, and some raised or suspended above the ground. What configuration you choose is mostly down to your preferences – most birds will use your bird bath regardless.

Pedestal Bird Bath

Perhaps the most common and well-recognized configuration for a bird bath is that of a stone bowl on top of an ornamental pedestal. Such a bird bath will typically be one to two feet off the ground, and anything from six inches to two feet in diameter.

Designs like this are popular in many styles of garden, and are useful for adding a touch of style and formality to your garden, especially if you by a good quality, carved stone bird bath.

Suspended Bird Bath

If you are short on ground space, or have a trellis or overhanging eves, you might want to consider a suspended bird bath. These might typically be composed of a large, shallow ceramic bowl, with three or four sets of holes around its rim, into which chains fasten to be suspended from a single point above.

This is very similar to the design of some hanging baskets, and bird baths like this can be used in many of the same scenarios – in a small container garden, or on a large patio, for example.

Ground Level Bird Bath

Of course, there is no real need for a bird bath to be above ground level at all. Natural ponds and puddles aren’t suspended in the air, after all!

A very simple and effective bird bath can be made simply by creating a shallow hole in the ground, and placing an upturned dustbin lid into it, before filling it with water. Equally, liquid concrete could be poured into a hole of the desired shape to create a bird bath that could be left in situ or moved elsewhere in the garden.

Luxury Touches

Any of the bird baths described above should prove very successful if kept clean and well-located, but you can always go further if you would like to. Heated bird baths, whether solar or mains-powered, can keep the water free of ice for birds in the winter, and some experts believe that the sight and sound of a constant trickle of fresh water into a bird bath helps to make it much easier for birds to find.

Whatever you choose, you garden should become one of the most popular places in the neighborhood for your local birds, and provide them with a valuable community facility!

Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard

If you like to watch the playing, fluttering and fanciful nature of birds, watching birds in your own backyard or right outside your window can be a great joy. It’s extraordinary how many different kinds of species you can see. If you think there aren’t very many birds in your yard, there are a few things you can try that will attract them. With bird baths, different bird feeders and a couple of bird houses, you’ll soon have some special visitors.

You’ll find many different bird feeders on the market, and you will find that most of them fall into three different categories. There are hoppers, tray feeders, and tube feeders. Tube bird feeders are cylindrical, with landing places at the holes where the feed comes out. Tube bird feeders are good for various kinds of seed, as long as the opening is big enough for it to fit through. Hopper feeders will attract birds that might be leery of tube and tray feeders. Tray feeders are wonderful for birds that are smaller. If you really don’t care what types of birds visit your backyard, and you would just like to watch and enjoy any bird that shows up, you can purchase a general bird seed. A lot of bird seed can appeal to a number of different varieties of birds, because it’s got a number of seed varieties. If you want a particular kind of bird to come to your backyard, then you want to include a seed or food that appeals to that species.

Bird baths are a great thing to add to your backyard if you want to attract more birds. Birds love wading and splashing in the water, and if it’s kept clean, that’s even better. You can choose from more conventional bird baths, or you could go for something different, like a fountain that’s solar powered. Bird baths with moving water will appeal to wild birds that customarily would not frequent a regular fountain, like humming birds, robins, warblers and thrushes. Birds particularly like moving water, and it easily attracts them. Bird baths also look great as garden accessories. There are those that love bird baths for the fact that they bring the birds very close. This is the perfect chance to take some fantastic photographs, and enjoy the company of the birds.

If you decide to add a birdhouse to your yard, birds could potentially nest in it. Not only will they frequent now and again, but if it’s safe and secure, they might choose it as the place to lay and hatch their eggs. What a delight this would be because you could get a peek at the babies every once in a while, or when it is time for them to start flying. Not only is a birdhouse a place the birds will like, but it is a charming yard decoration too. Naturally, there are a variety of sizes, kinds and shapes of birdhouses, and the one you decide on depends on your particular taste.

Implementing these three things easily can make your backyard a little bit more accommodating for birds. There are a couple of other simple things you can add, like fragrant flowers, and crevices and openings so the birds can hide. If they feel safe in your yard, they will stick around. Happy backyard bird watching!

Author’s Bio

Ms. Ellis has written a number of articles related to bird feeders, bird houses, backyard bird watching and is a leading expert specializing in backyard birding. Please visit 14thebirds.com to read her other highly regarded work on things like various bird feeders, solar bird baths, bird houses and so on.

You can diversify your garden with a bird bath. It is funny to have a birth bath in the backyard. There is big variety of bird baths at the bottom there is a guide to help you in your choice for excellent bird bath.

Bird baths tips

You have to follow some advices when you install a bird bath. The water in the bird bath must not be very deep, you wish the birds to have more space; it averts drowning of the birds and another little animal in the bird bath. It is a great idea to change the water in the bird bath oftener. Birds would avoid locations with many people. You would desire to be the bird bath higher because the birds can be secure from another animal. At the bottom there are several bird baths.

Pedestal

The famous kind of bird bath is the pedestal. Granite, copper, aluminum are from resources which are used for those baths.

Hanging

Hanging baths are excellent out of your window. Birds are oblivious to the fact they were spied on due to the reflection of light from a window.

Electric and solar heated baths

The heated bath is excellent for someone who is living in cold locations. The birds have the opportunity to go to the bath all the cold season. Electric baths and solar heated baths are the two kinds of heated baths.

Soothing fountains baths

The water is a good idea to stand alone in the backyard or garden area.

Whether you like looking at birds or spend your time in the garden, the bird bath would give you great pleasure. Do not forget to locate a feeder and a bird house close to the bath.

With just a little effort it is possible to turn your garden into a haven for wild birds. Things to think about are accessories such as bird tables, bird baths and bird feeders, plants, providing food and shelter for birds and keeping predators away.

A well stocked bird table should be the focal point of any bird friendly garden. You can buy bird tables in many different designs so you should be able to find one to suit your garden. Traditionally bird tables were made of wood but they now come in other materials such as metal, plastic and even glass which are easier to clean and will last longer.

Make sure your bird table is positioned somewhere quiet so the birds are not disturbed when they are feeding and site it away from bushes and shrubs where predators like cats and squirrels can lurk.

You can put all sorts of food out on bird tables such as kitchen scraps like animal fats, cheese, fruit, rice, bread and peanuts. You can also buy ready made bird food mixes some of which are designed to attract a particular species of birds.

A bird feeder is a great addition or alternative to a bird table especially if you don’t have much room in your garden or only have a balcony. Again think about where you hang your bird feeder so that the birds can feed in peace and predators can not attack.

You can buy bird feeders which hold seeds or fats or it is quite simple to make a your own by filling an old plastic bottle with melted fat mixed with seeds and other ingredients. Making a bird feeder is a great way of getting children involved and teaching them about nature and the environment.

A bird bath will provide much needed water for bathing and drinking and is especially important in the dry summer months and the winter when the birds’ usual supply of water may be frozen over. It is important to clean your bird bath regularly to prevent the build up of algae and parasites that could be harmful to birds.

You should never use antifreeze or other additives to thaw water in a bird bath.

Over recent years home improvements have meant the decline of natural nesting places such as holes in buildings particularly in urban areas so a bird box will provide somewhere for birds to nest as well as shelter in the winter. It may take a couple of seasons before birds use a new nest box for breeding so put it out in the autumn so they have time to get used to it.

You can buy different types of nest boxes for different species of birds; you may want to consider getting some special “sparrow flats” as these are one of the species of birds that have declined in recent years in the UK.

Plants will not only provide fruit for birds but will attract insects that thrushes and blackbirds feed off. Plant berry-bearing shrubs like rowan and holly and flowering plants like sunflowers and teasel and leave the stems long to provide shelter too.

If you have a problem with cats chasing or even killing birds in your garden then you can buy special cat deterrents in the form of ultrasonic devices, sprinklers, scented pellets and fence protectors.

By turning your garden into a mini nature reserve for birds you will be doing your bit to help local wildlife and get the enjoyment of seeing wild birds close up.

You can find out more about creating a bird friendly garden at British Bird Lovers.

Selecting the Right Water Feature for Your Garden

When contemplating a water feature for your garden it is
important to reflect on the style of your landscaping and draw
from this to select the right style of water feature to suit the
surroundings. The wrong choice could result in your water
feature looking out of place. Consider a contemporary minimalist
garden with a Whisky Barrel Kit as the water feature!

Below we have prepared a list of common garden styles and some
suggestions for incorporating water features into these gardens.
This list is by no means exhaustive. Also, take into account
that many gardens are a fusion of two or three garden styles.

Contemporary Garden

This style of garden is usually characterised by attention to
detail such as the use of a single specimen plant. Simplicity,
form and the clever use of light and space are fundamental to
this style. Colours are used minimally to produce dramatic
effects.

Suitable Water Features Stainless Steel Features Water Walls
Clad (with Contemporary materials) Canals and Rills (made from
Contemporary materials) Reflection Pools Architectural Granite
Features (Aquifer Columns or spheres)

Cottage Garden

Arguably the most enduring of all garden styles, this garden is
characterised by mass planting of colourful flowers and herbs in
well designed garden beds. Although the plant design is
carefully structured it is designed to look natural and
free-flowing. This style often incorporates places of interest
to visit such as bench seats, arbours, and gazebos.

Suitable Water Features Bird Baths Wishing Wells Natural Ponds
Statuary Features Formal Ponds Fountains

Formal Garden

A formal look in a landscape is typically achieved by placing
plants to conform strictly to a geometric design theme. This
style relies on the use of symmetry to draw the eye to focal
points such as water features or sculpture. The use of hedging
plants and topiaries is essential to achieve the formal look.

Suitable Water Features Stone Fountains Bird Baths Reflection
Pools Spilling Urns / Pots Fountain Sprayers Geometric Ponds

Tuscan Garden

The rustic Italian garden seems to assimilate very well into the
Australian landscape. Aged, muted colors intrinsic to Italian
gardens are echoed in our landscape. A focus on Al Fresco dining
and entertaining is essential to this style. Planting is often
semi-formal – formal and includes topiaries and hedges.

Suitable Water Features Spilling Urns Wall Fountains Stone
Fountains Classical Statuary Tiled/Stone Water Walls Wall
Spitters

Japanese Garden

The Japanese garden has its emphasis in simplicity, control and
thoughtful design. This garden must incorporate the careful use
water as a focal point. Well placed, gracefully formed plants
such as bamboos, grasses and flowering shrubs provide balance
which is essential to this style. These gardens also use stone
and sand to imitate the natural landscape. The Japanese garden
is the ultimate meditation and relaxation. Suitable Water
Features Deer Scarer (Shi Shi Odoshi) Japanese Spill Basin
(Tsukabi) Large Containers with Fish and Water Lilies Rock
Geysers Fish Ponds Natural Ponds with Rock Waterfalls and
Cascades

Xeriscape Garden

Xeriscape is a term derived from the Greek word ‘xeros’ meaning
dry and from the word landscape, to form a new term for water
conserving gardens. This style is increasing in popularity due
to our dry climate. This garden often features both native and
exotic species and is landscaped to minimise water use and to
channel water to plants that have a higher requirement.
Xeriscaping often draws from Cottage and Contemporary styles.

Suitable Water Features Dry Creek Bed Mill Stone Features
(re-circulating) Rock Geyser (re-circulating) Granite Features
Natural Ponds (to provide an oasis for wildlife)

Tropical Gardens

The tropical garden is one for the plant lovers, these gardens
are gaining in popularity due to the range of plant species now
available to Australian gardeners. Tropical plants, densely
planted, look their best in summer when we typically use our
gardens. Characterised by the use of bold, lush and colourful
foliage with spectacular flowers. This style provides a cooling
oasis in the warmer months.

Suitable Water Features Natural Ponds Waterfalls Creeks /
Streams Reflection Ponds Spilling Pots/Urns Contemporary
Statuary Water Walls

Australian Native Garden

This style of garden draws on the unique characteristics of
Australian materials and the natural colours of Australia. Often
rustic in style, the use of timber, stone and corrugated iron
can be incorporated into the Australian garden. Modern
Australian native plantings are often designed similar to a
traditional cottage garden with the focus on the colour palette.

Suitable Water Features Whisky/Wine Barrels Wishing Wells Mill
Stone Features Cobbled Creeks Natural Ponds Concrete
Sinks/Troughs Rock Geysers

Wren’s, Robins, Cardinals, Grossbeaks, and even Hummingbirds have nested in our yard for years. I didn’t know I was attracting so many birds at first, then I started paying more attention made just a few changes and attracted even more!

1. Water – Birds need clean water to drink and for bathing. I keep several birdbaths in the yard. One I made using two large clay pots stacked ends together with a large clay saucer on top – it’s easy and inexpensive. I have two ceramic bird baths as well, one hangs from our upstairs deck, and the other is on a pedestal in the veggie garden. This way, the larger birds and the smaller birds can drink or preen their feathers at the same time, without confrontations.

Place birdbaths near a hose or water source to make it easier for you to keep them clean and filled.

2. Food. I feed the birds in winter; suet,safflower(squirrels don’t like safflower which is a plus),sunflower seeds, etc. I put a Hummingbird feeder out in about mid-March as they send out scouts for find food sources. I grow a lot of flowering plants that they feed from starting in May. Once the flowers are in bloom, I take down the hummer feeder as it’s a pain to wash and fill every day or two and I think the flower nectar is better for them anyway.

I grow sunflowers, heliopsis, purple coneflower, amaranthus, bee balm and many other flowering plants that offer both nectar and seeds. I bring the sunflower seed heads in when they are ripe, usually late August. You can tell they are rip by rubbing the center of the flower, if the little nubby bits fall off, and you see the seeds underneath, it’s ripe. I don’t grow enough to last all winter, but it does help to grow more seed and have to buy less.

3. In early spring (March) I start putting out bits of thread, dryer lint, dog/cat fur (they loved my Himalayans fur!), hair from my hair brush, Christmas tree tinsel, bits of yarn, thread and string. I grow milkweed as the birds love lining their nests with the soft seed puffs. Birds also love picking their own bits of grass, twigs, and weeds as well. It’s great fun to find a nest when they’ve all left and see my colorful offerings woven into it.

4. Cover: Birds need a place to nest, rest, hide from predators and teach their young how to fly. Lilac bushes or shrubs and trees are a must if you want the birds to stay around and nest. Wren’s and Bluebirds love bird houses, Robins use ledges or flatter shelters. A Robin built her nest in a hole in our large Sugar Maple tree this year too. They’re not real picky. Thorny shrubs offer safe havens for birds. Hummers’ nests are about the size of a thimble and they prefer berry patches or dense low bushes. Cardinals love our Yew bushes and Cedars.

5. Find out what birds nest in your part of the world. We live in Michigan, so have a wide variety of birds, but I do know I’ll never attract Pink Flamingos, no matter how hard I try! My neighbor has a large property and puts up Wood Duck houses, another neighbor has a wide meadow and builds Purple Martin houses. I grow Bird House Gourds and hang them for the wrens and bluebirds.

6. Provide an environment that is relatively quiet and undisturbed. Avoid putting nesting boxes and houses in high-traffic areas, although Robins built nests over our back breezeway door when I was a kid and didn’t seem to mind our comings and goings.

7. Do a bit of research if you want to attract specific birds to your yard. I just do what I can and enjoy the birds who move in. Also, I never have a problem with aphids, cabbage worms or other garden pests!

Bird watching has become a backyard hobby for many people and bird feeders are the best way to attract these birds. Different birds are attracted to different seeds. Acorns, for example, attract chickadees, jays, quails, and woodpeckers. Millet, on the other hand, attracts doves, finches, pheasants, native sparrows, and Carolina wrens.

Seeds from a black locust tree will attract quail while magnolias will draw in towhees, red-eyed vireos, and woodpeckers. Willows, on the other hand, will bring in grosbeaks, grouse, and redpolls. One of the newer technologies in bird feeding is the tube feeder. These tubes are easy to use and release seeds slower than other methods, so they save you money. Also, larger birds with bigger appetites do not use tube feeders. Solidified bacon fat, interestingly, will attract several species of birds including bluebirds, jays, and ravens. A collection of bird species love insects such as ants and an anthill can be a very attractive backyard feature.

Hummingbirds and orioles are drawn to aloes and agaves while amaranth attracts juncos and tree sparrows. On the other hand, bluebirds, catbirds, great crested flycatchers, jays, mockingbirds, tanagers, thrashers, thrushes, and waxwings like amelanchier (juneberry, shadblow, shadbush, and serviceberry) and make a good looking addition to any yard. Versatile and attractive, amelanchier species can be found anywhere in North America.

Both humans and birds like berries, especially ripening blackberries. The best time to offer these in your feeder is when they cant be found anywhere else. The winter season creates a demand greater than the supply. Strawberries will attract catbirds, prairie chickens, crows, grouse, quails, robins, and sparrows while raspberries will attract bobwhites, bluebirds, buntings, chickadees, orioles, band-tailed pigeons, titmice, and waxwings.

A bird-friendly backyard is likely to be attractive to birds looking to raise a family. The friendly attributes include sources of water, food, grit, and salt. Predator control includes keeping your felines away from the birds and keeping snakes, raccoons, and opossums out of your yard. Sufficient covering is needed for a roosting place and nest sites. If you have cats it is important to keep at least three yards of short grass around the bird bath so the bird can spot the cat and get away in time. From inside, cats can still enjoy the birds by perching on their favorite piece of furniture (available at www.catdograt.com) and viewing the feathered flyers without endangering them.

Bird baths are a successful way to attract birds, especially in the summer. These yard decorations have been popular for a hundred years. If you learn to chisel you can create baths from large rocks or boulders. A bird bath is a great place to focus your binoculars, if you have them. Bird watching is best if you can get one to feed out of your hand. Chickadees can be trained to feed from your palm. If youd like to attract cardinals, grosbeaks, nuthatches, or titmice, get a sunflower. An excellent selection of bird feeders, bird houses, and bird baths can be found at www.decoryard.com.

Garden parties on warm summer evenings are a pleasure to look forward to. Here are 10 easy ways to decorate your outdoor space with light without breaking the budget.

1) Illuminate driveways, paths, stairs, pool decks, and dark corners with paper bag lanterns made from tealights and brown paper lunch bags. Place few rocks inside each lantern as anchors.

2) Make a small investment in easy-to-install solar path lighting. There is no wiring of any kind and the light fixture can be moved around as needed (around $30 each).

3) Place citronella candles and tiki torches around seating areas to deter insects. Make sure they are not too close to the food, as the smell can overpower flavors.

4) Lace decorative paper Chinese lanterns, or inexpensive multi-colored, themed, or bright white sting lights through railings, patio umbrellas, and pergolas.

5) Place candles, tea-lights, votives or fabric lanterns on buffet tables and bars. Remember to keep candles in a safe container or candle holder.

6) Float candles in bird baths, pools or ponds. Floating solar lights are also available.

7) Create dance floor by hanging mini-disco ball from a tree branch and pointing a spotlight at it.

Use retro lava lamps and fiber-optic domes or globes for themed lighting that’s funky and fun.

9) Fill mason jars with about five centimeters of sand, then drop in a tea light for a safe but pretty light that won’t go out in a breeze. Place a row along the side of a path and on each stair.

10) Adorn flea market or thrift store chandeliers holding tea lights and hang from an overhead support or canopy.

The Importance of Water in Nature Gardens

Encouraging wildlife into the ordinary garden may seem daunting at first, but with the correct planting and thought to shelter, crevices and food it can be done. Seeing the season’s first butterfly feeding on plentiful nectar or a bird busy collecting caterpillars for its burgeoning brood stirs extraordinary feelings of joy. But whilst people collect and plant the right flowers, create log piles for homes, and set up bird boxes, the importance of water in the nature garden can be all but forgotten.

It is taken for granted, being piped into our homes, serving us fresh water everyday. The human body contains up to 70% water, and we die of thirst long before hunger yet when it comes to the nature garden often the thought of a small life saving reservoir does not even cross the mind. Your blue tit family may be growing fast, your hedgehog’s nightly wanders fruitful, but think how much more efficient it would be to have water nearby. The blue tit family could get more food as their parents were freed from searching for water, your bustling hedgehog able to spend a happy extra hour or two snacking on juicy slugs.

Building a water feature into the nature garden doesn’t even necessarily need to be a huge undertaking. Many shy away, thinking that a pond is too much effort, too unsafe for children, a long term responsibility which will take much upkeep. Whilst this may be true for the large sustained pond it is not necessary to think on this scale, the watering hole can be far smaller and modest.

For the urban gardener watering holes are far more critical than in the countryside where there are boundless places for wildlife to seek watery refuges. As development in cities and suburbs increases and concrete creeps in dark monotonous grey across the ground, ponds are becoming far more infrequent and further apart. The average city garden by no means has the space to accommodate a full scale pond so nature enthusiasts should look to smaller, simpler ways of solving the solution.

What about plugging an old bath or ceramic basin and sinking it into the earth? An upturned dustbin lid can be ideal for a simple drinking spot, whilst many of the larger plastic tubs available at garden centre’s can make ideal mini water environments, both sunk into the ground or stood in a shady corner. Depending on your creativeness you can turn your simple solution into quite a feature planting Hosta’s or Ferns or brightly coloured flora to make a natural or eye catching display. Bird baths will aid your feathered friends, whilst ground based supplies can help Foxes, Hedgehogs, migrating amphibians and become a refuge and home for May and Dragonflies.

It seems strange that whilst all the attention goes into creating log piles, planting nectar rich borders, putting up wooden bird lofts amongst a multitude of other ideas one major life giving element is forgotten water. As expensive or cheap to install as your choose, smaller pools need no more upkeep than ordinary gardening, and the nature garden is sure of benefits. These will soon become apparent with current residents taking advantage and many more moving in. As natural habitats are increasingly encroached upon and urban wildlife tries to sustain a foothold in their old world an upturned dustbin lid might seem trivial to you, but it’s a life saver to those living in your leafy garden.