We've been having a dry spell here in Ky (no watering lawns, washing cars, etc) and I was thinking about putting one between my poles.
Ian
Will PMs drink from a pedistal birdbath?
Haywire, Never saw one drink from a bird bath and have been told they would not but it will not hurt to try.
Had 18 nesting pair this year ( my 5th) 93 eggs,90 fledged. I think that is fantastic. John
Had 18 nesting pair this year ( my 5th) 93 eggs,90 fledged. I think that is fantastic. John
Haywood, I too have never seen PM's in my area on a bird bath/fountain. IMO the swallows drink and bath by skimming across a pond or lake and bounce off the water to take a bath. it you got blue birds and hollywood finches they sure will make use of it.
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Guest
Ian:
No, purple martins will not use a bird bath. Swallows drink and bathe "on the wing," from lakes and ponds, swimming pools, etc. The other birds in your yard will appreciate a bird bath, though. Just be sure to keep it filled and clean. Because of algae growth and bird droppings, I clean mine daily. Don't use strong chemical cleaners or soaps - I usually just use a scrub brush and clear water on mine. Sometimes, I will bleach it, but then I rinse it very thoroughly. I am having a break-out of Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis among my house finches, so I try to bleach the feeders and bath more frequently these days.
If you have a water faucet near by, you can hook up a mister/dripper to the bath. The sound of running water is very attractive to birds, the low level of dripping water keeps the basin filled, and it is neat to watch a bird enjoying the mist. I watched a male red-winged blackbird "taking a shower" this week - you could tell he was having a good time!
No, purple martins will not use a bird bath. Swallows drink and bathe "on the wing," from lakes and ponds, swimming pools, etc. The other birds in your yard will appreciate a bird bath, though. Just be sure to keep it filled and clean. Because of algae growth and bird droppings, I clean mine daily. Don't use strong chemical cleaners or soaps - I usually just use a scrub brush and clear water on mine. Sometimes, I will bleach it, but then I rinse it very thoroughly. I am having a break-out of Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis among my house finches, so I try to bleach the feeders and bath more frequently these days.
If you have a water faucet near by, you can hook up a mister/dripper to the bath. The sound of running water is very attractive to birds, the low level of dripping water keeps the basin filled, and it is neat to watch a bird enjoying the mist. I watched a male red-winged blackbird "taking a shower" this week - you could tell he was having a good time!