bird magnet.
For those who haven’t the space or the energy
to install a pond, good results can be achieved
without even lifting a shovel. There are a number
of self-contained, recirculating ponds and birdbaths
that create ideal conditions for birds with almost no
fuss. To provide a steady supply of fresh water to a
regular bath or pond, drippers and/or misters can be
added. This creates the requisite noise/movement
factor and limits the number of refills necessary each
day. Drippers and misters are just what their names
imply.
Drippers add water, a drop at a time, creating
visible ripples on the surface. Some drippers are
designed to clip to the edge of the bath or stand
alongside it, while others sit in the basin. Misters
come in two varieties – one designed to sit in the
bath or the pond, and another designed to attach to
a branch and spray a mist outward from the trees.
Leaf misters can be hooked to a pole, rail or other
elevated surface near your garden so the falling
water irrigates the planting beds.
Moving water is an excellent way to draw the
birds out of the trees and into our viewing range.
Orioles, for example, rarely visit feeders and seem
reticent to leave the treetops for anything short
of a drink and a bath. Robins are readily visible,
of course, but the other thrushes generally prefer
wooded areas and are often difficult to draw into the
yard. Like the robins, however, they are enthusiastic
bathers and can be encouraged to join the crowd.
Even migrants can be attracted by moving water
and may stop by for a day or two to drink and eat.
The list goes on: warblers, vireos, thrushes … with
a bird magnet, these and other feeder rarities can
become regular visitors to your backyard.
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