Birds Section 4 Bird Baths

7/28/2019 Birds Section 4 Bird Baths

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poolsIf you live in the country and have enough room for a birdsanctuary, a watering place for birds can be very easilyprovided by simply hollowing out a small dish-shaped areain the ground and fllling it with water. This unit can be-come a part of the landscaping by lining the depressionwith cement and making a small ornamental pool. Do notmake the pool too deep. Birds rarely wiil use a pool or abirdbath that is more than 2 or 3 inches deep. Have thesides at a very flat slope so that entry is easy. The birdswill approach the pool more freely if there are no nearbybushes that could hide enemies. Have at least 3 to 4 feet ofopen space around the pool. Use grass in this area or,better, fi.ne sand and drrst for a natural dust bath. Thesepools can vary in size from 3 to 10 feet across, dependingupon the space you can devote to them. The chief objectionsto this kind of pool are that it occupies too much space inthe average yard and is very difficult to clean.

If you are fortunate enough to have a small stream or arunning spring on your land, the pool described above canbe made a part of it. Widen a section of the stream, give thesides a very gradual slope, provide the grass or dust area,remove close bushes and shrubs, and you will have an ex-cellent, natural bird-watering place.

While bushes should be removed from the area immediatelysurrounding the pool, have a fence, open bush, dead tree, oroverhanging branches about 10 feet away to serve as aplace for the birds to rest and preen themselves. Locate thepool and preening perch where they will get both sunshineand shade and the birds will use them constantly.

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"":,i;rshallow pool with sloping sidesnd lined with concrete is wel-

med by the birds. ' ,li:l

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Leafie Watt-From the National Audubon Society06


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how to make a concrete birdbathA simple and inexpensive way to make a concrete birdbathis shown here. The bowl is formed with sweeps that moldthe core and the concrete to shape. Select a level,

flat sur-face on which to mount a piece of taned buitdi.ng paperabout 36 inches square. Tack it in place at the edges. Drilla hole at the exact center for the r/+-incJn pivot, which maybe a wood dowel or iron rod and insert the pivot.

Cut the sweep for the core out of. tla-incln stock as shown.The bowl is cast or swept upside down. The core is made ofclay. To use less clay, you can build up the core out of wastelumber as illustrated. Over this core spread the clay, whichshould be soft enough to shape easily. place the sweep onthe pivot

and work it back and forth until the core is shaped.Allow the core to dry partially and coat it with grease or oil.When the clay has set, mix the concrete, one part cementto three parts sand and gravel. Keep it rather thick so thatit can be formed.Add the second spacer block, put the concrete over the claymold, and sweep it into shape. Small pieces of chicken wirecan be added as reinforcement. When shaped, trowel theconcrete smooth and allow it to harden. After the concretehas set, remove

itfrom

the board, and take out the clay core.Round the edges with a brick; then take out the wood spacerblock in the center and plug the hole with cement.

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Maintenance of the birdbath isan interesting home chore forthe youngsters.

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Birds Section 4 Bird Baths

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