Birds Need Water in Summer

BirdNote^®

Birds Need Water in Summer
--Birdbaths in Summer

Written by Bob Sundstrom
 
This is BirdNote!
[Medley of American Goldfinch and American Robin]
Nothing will bring wondrous songbirds to your yard faster than a ready supply of water. [Water splashing]
The summer season is generally the driest of the year. Creeks run low or underground. Rain is scarce, and temporary puddles gone. Summer is a crucial time to supply your backyard birds with water for drinking and bathing.
 [Water splashing]
Birdbaths set at different heights serve a great variety of birds. Some shy birds come readily to a birdbath set flat on the ground, but will rarely visit a birdbath on a pedestal. Leave those for the more bold bathers.
[Medley of American Goldfinch and American Robin]
Water depth is important, too. Many birds prefer shallow water over deep. An inch of water – or even less – is ideal for small birds. A wide, shallow birdbath that deepens a bit in the center will suit a broad range of birds.
A fine dripper or a mister on a birdbath is also a superb idea. Not only will it keep the vessel full with little effort, but small birds like hummingbirds often prefer a refreshing shower. Many birds find the drip – drip – drip of the water inviting.
 [Wings of an Anna’s Hummingbird]
Learn how to create a backyard sanctuary for birds and other wildlife. Begin at our website, BirdNote.org. I’m Michael Stein.
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Bird songs provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. American Robin and American Goldfinch recorded by G.A. Keller.
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2014 Tune In to Nature.org     July 2018     Narrator: Michael Steiin

ID#071906bathsKPLU                          bath-02b