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Many birds find the sight and sound of moving water irresistible. A silent birdbath may go undiscovered, but the sound of water dripping will bring wild birds to your backyard.
You don't need a large pool or a big rush of water. You can create a simple pool for birds using a solar-powered pump. This avoids the complication of needing a water supply or even a power supply in your garden. Solar pumps aren't appropriate for a large water feature but they are perfect for this easy to create bird pool.
Materials:
shallow basin (a plant saucer works well)
small solar-powered fountain kit (available online)
sandpaper 100 grit
water-resistant construction adhesive/sealant
patio slate (bluestone)
clear flexible tubing
tube clamp
Tools:
safety goggles
chisel and hammer
drill and tile/glass drill bit
utility knife
shovel or hand trowel
Directions:
1. Use adhesive/sealant to fill and seal any holes in basin.
2. Sand edges and inside of saucer with sandpaper.
3. Break patio stones into flat thin pieces with hammer and chisel.
4. Arrange stone around edge of basin, leaving an open space for pump mechanism.
5. Glue stone in place with adhesive, let glue dry.
6. Pick one stone for open space and drill a hole, using tile bit, large enough for tubing.
7. Add a length of clear tubing to pump with tube clamp.
8. Plug in pump and add water to basin to set-up tubing.
9. Run pump tubing through hole in stone. Arrange tubing to create desired flow of water and trim excess off. Unplug pump and remove water.
10. Arrange additional stones to hide pump.
11. Arrange stones on inside of basin to hide sides and bottom.
12. Glue the stones in place.
13. Once glue is dry, pick a spot for bird pool. For the bird's sake, make sure it is a place they can perch safely, not near shrubs or bushes that predators (cats) can hide in. Sink the concealed saucer slightly into the ground so the stone is at soil level. Keeping the pond in the shade will prevent evaporation and algal growth, but with a solar-powered pump you will need to be within reach of a sunny spot so you can position the solar panel.
Special Thanks:
Alex Frost
www.crytogamicbotanycompany.com