As the summer heat continues to strike Toronto, it can be difficult for birds in the city to
find fresh, clean water, so what better way to provide them a healthy source of water
than to build one of your own? We created a simple guide below for building your own
little bird spa.
A bird bath can be built by using simple household items, like a shallow cake pan or a
flower-pot tray that is around 5cm or 2 inches deep. If you don’t mind splurging and are
worried about neighborhood cats or raccoons, a raised birdbath is also a great idea!
Depending on what kinds of birds you want to draw into your yard, you may decide to
use a deeper or shallower pan, or both by creating a gradient. For smaller songbirds,
always opt for a shallower bath or add pebbles and rocks on the bottom so they have
something solid to stand on. This allows them to drink and bathe with ease. If you want
to draw bigger and more birds, adding a pump or a bubbler to create the sound of
running water can do the trick!
Make sure the bath is placed on level ground or a stand that is sturdy. To make it even
better, place it near some evergreens or shrubs to give the birds a sense of safety and
privacy.
Remember to regularly clean the baths to make sure the water is fresh. Watch out for
algae and droppings. Always clean that out as soon as it’s spotted. When cleaning the
baths, be extra careful of using harsh solutions. If they are used, always make sure the
baths are thoroughly rinsed off and dried before adding more water.
Lastly, have fun and watch the same birds come back over time as they have great
spatial memories, so rest assured, they will gossip about the new spa in town!
To read more on how to build bird baths, here are some links we find to be very helpful:
How to Attact Birds to Your Birdbaths 10 Tips
Everything You Need To Know About Birdbaths
-Chloe W.