Birdbaths are a great way to attract wildlife to your garden but can quickly become dirty and unattractive. One gardener has shared a simple trick to keep them clean
For those who delight in inviting wildlife into their backyards, having a garden is all about creating an idyllic haven for birds, complete with plenty of feed and a birdbath for their grooming rituals. This way you will be able to attract a variety of bird species into your home.
Plus, this is especially important given the recent spate of hot weather. Many birds can struggle in heatwaves due to high temperatures. Similar to dogs, birds can’t produce sweat and instead pant to keep cool. If they get too warm, they can even suffer from heat stress.
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Heat stress can cause birds to become disoriented and, in extreme cases, can even be fatal. One of the best ways to prevent this is by providing them with water, such as a bird bath.
Unfortunately, maintaining the cleanliness of a birdbath can be notoriously tricky, with unsightly grime and dirt often sullies the once splendid stone feature into an off-putting quagmire unwelcoming to your feathered visitors.
The good news is that combating this nuisance doesn’t have to be complicated thanks to a nifty little hint involving something you’re likely to carry around in your wallet—precisely, a 1p coin.#
Bird aficionado and The Rocky Safari’s own Rocky Trifari has divulged a useful tidbit: “Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on.”
He explains the coin’s metal ions’ role in inhibiting pesky green algae: “When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths.”, reports the Express.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to ensure those coppers are sparkling clean before they make their way into your birdbath—and opting for natural cleaning methods is key to keeping the birds safe during their daily dips.
Avian nutrition specialist Monika Sangar voices a word of caution regarding the use of copper coins, underscoring potential risks: “Birds drink and bathe in bird bath water, so prolonged or excessive exposure to dissolved copper could pose a health risk, especially to small species.
“For this reason, it’s best to only use a few coins at maximum in a larger bath, and to always clean the bath in addition to using this hack. Adding fresh water daily for your birds is a must, too.”
It’s also recommended to have multiple bird baths at different heights, if possible. This is because different species feel more comfortable drinking water at various elevations, i.e. smaller birds like robins prefer drinking from higher spots.