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Birds Need Water in Summer

July 13, 2018
cool, clear, CLEAN water....
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American Robin in birdbath Expand Image
© Will C / FCC

Summer is a crucial time to keep your backyard birds supplied with water for drinking and bathing. Birdbaths set at different heights serve a great variety of birds. A wide, shallow birdbath that deepens a bit in the center will suit a broad range of birds - including this American Robin. Most important of all? Keep it clean! You can learn more about birdbaths at Cornell's AllAboutBirds. Your local Audubon can help, too.

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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.
###

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

Bob Sundstrom
Writer
Michael Stein
Narrator
Tags: backyard sanctuary, birdfeeding, gardening

Related Resources

Find your local Audubon chapterOrange-crowned Warbler - More at All About BirdsAll About Birds has more about attracting birds to your yard!

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