Solar Powered Bird Baths - Attract Wild Birds Throughout The Year
February 28th, 2009. Published under Gardening. No Comments.
If you want to attract wild birds to your garden all through the year you should use a solar bird bath. Birds will be attracted to water in your garden as much as the food you provide, not only to drink but also to bathe. A solar bird bath will keep the water ice free in the coldest weather by keeping the water running through the bird bath. This also has the effect of preventing water from becoming stagnant which can attract mosquitoes to breed in water and prevents mold from forming. Some solar powered bird baths also have lights which come on when it gets dark.
There are two ways to set up a solar bird bath. Some have the solar panels in the body of the bird bath so these are easy to up, you just need to position the bird bath in an appropriate place. Other types have solar panels separate from the bird bath so that they can be place in a sunny spot somewhere away from where you have positioned it. This allows you to place bird bath in a more appropriate spot, perhaps in the shade or under overhanging branches which will give a quick escape route for the birds from any marauding cats. Place the solar panels hanging on a tree or post where they can catch the most sunshine.
An alternative to a solar powered bird bath is to use a small, inexpensive electric heater to heat the water and keep it free from ice during the winter. The disadvantage of doing it is this way is that you will need either to run a cord from your home power supply or keep changing the batteries in the heater. This would be much more expensive than using a solar powered bird bath powered and trailing cords can be unsightly and hazardous to children and animals. A solar bird bath is more attractive, safer and cheaper to run.
Solar Fountain Bird Baths
Some solar bird baths also incorporate a fountain. Birds are attracted to the sound of running water and will love to bathe in the fountain. During the winter, when the sun is not so powerful, you may find that the solar fountain does not run continuously. When you sit relaxing in the garden you can enjoy the lovely sounds of the running water. Solar fountain bird baths also look very much more attractive and will certainly enhance your garden.
Types of Solar Bird Baths
A variety of different materials can be used for solar powered birdbaths including marble, concrete and even copper. If you have copper ornaments already in your garden, such as copper watering can planters, a copper bird bath will nicely complement these. Concrete and marble bird baths are very long-lasting but can be damaged if water is allowed to freeze in them. By using the energy of the sun to always keep the water warm you will avoid cracking them by constantly freezing and melting the water. Some styles of solar bird baths include the classic column type, bird baths incorporating a waterfall, bird baths shaped like flowers and wrought iron bird baths decorated with verdigris to give the impression that they are very old.
Conclusion
Whatever your choice you can be sure a solar powered bird bath with greatly enhance the look of your garden and attract wild birds all through the year.
For more information on attracting birds to your garden and some good deals on solar bird baths check out Garden Bird Baths or Solar Bird Baths