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Via gardenauthor)
Posted by admin to birdbath heaters, water for winter birds on 2008-01-25, 07:22:00
Our backyard birds are largely silent during the winter, saving their voices for the courtship of spring. However, could they manage "human-speak," I feel quite certain they'd be looking to you for that most basic element... saying, "Water, please!" As the creator, manager and wait-staff of your backyard bird café, it's up to you to anticipate the needs of your patrons.
True, you agonize over the menu, providing hardy, high-fat foods to insulate those birds against the rigors of winter. Black oil sunflower seed, premium blends, extra peanuts, baskets of suet, even dried ears of corn to keep the squirrels busy are all presented in a variety of feeders, tailored to meet the specific needs of your clientele.
Would you sit down to a large, satisfying meal, without a beverage at hand? Pretty thirsty work, getting through that club sandwich, without at least a glass of water to wash it down. Have you been in a restaurant, trying to flag down your server, just for a water refill? Well, maybe that's how the birds feel as they watch you filling feeders, and not a drop of water in sight! Yes, they depend on rain, snow (they have to eat quite a bit to satisfy thirst) and bodies of water for moisture. But when the ponds are frozen, we experience open and snow-less periods and existing snow cover shrinks away to nothing, it's incumbent upon us to assist our invited backyard guests.
Heated birdbaths and birdbath heaters are the most logical answer to the dilemma of providing water during the winter months. Thermostatically-controlled, these devices are programmed to shut off, when the water attains the proper temperature... ensuring the birds an open source of drinking water. As at any time of year, keeping these vessels cleaned and filled is a daily task. The above photo highlights a widely-available heating unit. The bonus with these? You don't have to empty and wrap or store your birdbath - leave it in place all year, since the heater prevents potential winter damage.
Non-electric alternative? A black, broad, shallow, rubberized feed pan (farm supply stores), set up on several cinder blocks in a sunny spot still serves the purpose in one of my gardens. The black pan attracts and holds solar heat. Remaining flexible on the coldest days, it's easy enough to thump out the block of ice and refill with fresh water. I used to try for more consistency in the time of day I changed the water, than of late. I've found those little backyard spies are watching my every move and no sooner have I left the garden, there's a flurry of activity around the water. I also have a heavy-duty resin birdbath that I change daily. It, too, is in the sun and remains open for quite some time. I have used a heated birdbath, with embedded cable, but found it too shallow to hold enough water for a day's worth of imbibing by my greedy little birds.
So, the birds will make use of any source of open water, for as long as it stays open. In the long run, the easiest, most consistent way for you to offer your patrons water is by employing a birdbath heater. I've gotta run out now, with 2 gallons of fresh water, before the backyard birds rise up in protest about the poor service at their favorite café. In fact, I hear a very faint "Water, please!" coming from the backyard. Go water your birds!
Lastly, a "Shout-Out" to
Shady Gardener, who recently invested in a birdbath heater, which purchase reminded me to write this post.
©2008 Deb Lambert
