Howdy all, I have had a water feature of some sort in my yard for close to 20 years. Different types of baths, heated in winter, small fountains etc. If you feed birds and enjoy having them on your property this IS a no-brainer. You WILL attract birds that may otherwise pass you by. After reading Tom's post it got me thinking, how much of a difference it can make.
In the past I managed a Wild Bird Center ( approx 10 years ago ) and sold plenty of baths and small fountains and pond kits. My customers would return with great results. It does work. I have learned a few things over the years as well. If considering a water feature, moving water works well period. I believe even the shimmering, moving water will catch the eye of a passer by. Different speeds at different spots will enhance this. This also keeps the water from going stagnant, attracting mosquito's, growing algae and just not being pleasant in general. Keep it Clean..... Multiple depths for smaller and larger birds is just as important. I have seen many Warblers, Finches and Sparrows enjoy water less than an inch deep. Where the Grosbeaks, Orioles and Robins enjoying closer to two inches. This is not a rule, only an observation. I'm surprised that in deeper water I have not seen Crows, Hawks or other large birds at all. Which frequent my property. Maybe I'm just not around at the right time. Cover is very important. Birds are extremely vulnerable bathing and even drinking. A get away is important, without serving as an ambush point. I have found that cover growing close to the water but not completely overgrown is a big benefit. Butterfly bush has worked well. With a come in and perch spot that isn't over grown, I have had multiple Warblers ( 16 at one time during migration ) and other small neo-tropics at the same time going back and forth from these. Statistics : I have been keeping tight records of Yard Birds since I moved onto my Property in Farmington in August of 2004. And have seen a total to this date of 133 species. 63 of these have visited my water feature, which is a small upper pond of only 115 gallons a 40 foot stream at varying depths and speeds and a larger bottom pond of less than 1000 gallons. I attribute only 9 species to visiting my property ONLY because of the water feature. This may seem like a small percentage however the times I have seen a Mourning Warbler ( 3 times at the water versus 1 time at any other point on the property ) puts it into perspective. Having a Canada Warbler and Cerulean Warbler only at the water makes me happy I put the effort into it. There are cautions also. I had to help a young squirrel out of it once. I have taken birds to warm up / dry out in winter that were not smart enough, not to bathe in winter. Flying from the water to freeze up quickly. Lucky I was home. I'm sure this also has happened when I wasn't. However I believe the benefits of accessible water in winter out-ways the negative effects. I have also enjoyed many Mammals, Butterflies, Dragonflies, Frogs and others using the pond. Of course this is a nice way to see them up close and doesn't hurt for photo opportunities. Still waiting for the Indigo Bunting to land on the Water Hyacinth again. Hopefully I will have my camera ready. If you can have water of any sort out, do it. You won't be disappointed. I know as I write this the 20 or so White-throated Sparrows passing through are enjoying it. Still waiting for a Western Tanager here. Blaine Seeliger Dakota Co Avocet13 at charter.net
