Bird baths are essential for the well-being of our feathered friends, providing a source of fresh, clean drinking water and a place for them to bathe. Alan Titchmarsh has a simple DIY idea
Bird baths are vital for our feathered friends’ well-being, providing a source of fresh, clean drinking water — especially during scorching, dry weather or when ponds and lakes freeze over in the heart of winter.
But they’re not just for hydration. Bird baths serve another — arguably more crucial — purpose: allowing birds to rid themselves of dirt and parasites. This helps keep their feathers in top condition, ensuring proper insulation, flight and waterproofing.
After their bath, birds will groom their plumage, a vital process that realigns feathers and reapplies essential waterproofing oils.
While bird baths are hugely beneficial for our avian visitors, there’s the issue of cost. A colossal 10-foot marble bath could set you back more than £24,000, while even a standard model might cost around £80.
However, gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh has a straightforward DIY idea for a bird bath that costs just a fraction of the price of one bought from a garden centre.
“All you need,” Alan suggests, “is a plant pot and saucer-which should cost no more than about £6-and a small squeeze of silicone sealant.”
On his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh YouTube channel, he demonstrates how to attach the two components, explaining: “All you need is a flower pot and a saucer… you stick that onto that and put water in it!”
The silicone sealant not only acts as adhesive but also cushions the saucer against the base, giving your birds a soft landing.
Once you’ve put together your homemade bird bath, simply fill it with water and add a few pebbles for smaller birds to perch on. Alan recommends topping it up regularly to keep the water fresh and clean: “When they come and bathe, they’ll splash it out.”
Experts warn that it’s better to have no bird bath than a dirty one, as stagnant, contaminated water can spread deadly diseases such as salmonellosis and avian pox among bird populations.
Alan emphasises: “Every day, when it starts to look a bit mucky, just tip it out, put the pebbles back, and fill it up again.”
He adds that he’s rather pleased with the finished result, noting that the bird bath costs only “a fraction of the price of a manufactured one” and “looks rather splendid.”