Creating a birdbath is an incredibly simple and inexpensive DIY project that takes less than 15 minutes and it could save the bird population in your garden, making them regular winter guests
As winter settles in and the temperature continues to drop, garden birds are facing some serious challenges.
Not all birds are flying away for the winter and those sticking around to face the winter cold need your help. While many people focus on providing food, there’s one crucial step you can take right now to help local wildlife survive this winter: create a basic birdbath. Birds need water to drink, of course, but it also serves another essential purpose: bathing. Bathing allows birds to fluff up their feathers, creating a vital insulating layer that helps keep them warm.
Another benefit of helping bird have access to water is that clean healthy birds are quicker when escaping predators. Adding an elevated birdbath to your garden provides an added layer of protection, allowing birds to easily spot any threats, like predatory cats, from a safe distance.
Creating a birdbath is an incredibly simple and inexpensive DIY project that takes less than 15 minutes and it could save the bird population in your garden making them regular winter guests for years to come.
What you’ll need
Before you begin, check if you already have these items around your garden. If not, you can easily pick them up from local shops. Here’s everything you need to get started:
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Terracotta pot (from £1.99 at RHS )
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Waterproof terracotta saucer (from £2.99 at Waitrose )
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All-purpose adhesive or ceramic tile glue (from £9.59 at Amazon )
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Decorative stones (from £13.30 at B&Q )
These simple materials will allow you to create a birdbath in no time, this is a DIY that you can’t mess up so don’t worry about getting things wrong.
Start by cleaning the base of your terracotta pot, then apply a generous layer of waterproof glue or tile adhesive. Once the glue is applied, place the terracotta saucer on the pot, ensuring it sits securely. Leave it for 24 hours to allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
After the glue has set, position your birdbath in a suitable location, such as the edge of a border, and fill the saucer with stones. These will provide birds with a perch to drink from while also allowing thirsty bees to sip safely without the risk of drowning.
Once your birdbath is ready, find a quiet corner of your garden, ideally near a flowerbed or shrub for added cover. This ensures birds feel safe while using the bath. Adding a few decorative stones to the saucer not only provides birds with somewhere to perch but also creates a safer space for bees to drink without the risk of drowning.
