Bird Baths and Feeders As Garden Decor

Also: Bird Bath Fountains, Hummingbird Feeders, Glass Hummingbird Feeders

A garden would not be the same without its natural visitors, such as butterflies and birds. Our feathered friends in particular are enjoyed by millions, and of those who appreciate birds in the garden, there are also millions who like to help out there little friends in one way or another. This can be done by feeding, providing water in a bird bath, or even a place to bring up a family in the form of bird houses.

Due to the popularity of bird baths feeders, and houses, over the years the quality and designs have improved many fold, as manufacturers have competed on the design front as well as price, and also acknowledged the part to be played by these products in improving the garden decor.

Despite the modern developments, though, it is not all plastic bird products. Some can be quite, indeed very, traditional. The boy with bird bat, or planter, below left is made with modern techniques, but the design is a traditional one. It is in fact based on an example found at Charleston, the famous home of the Bloomsbury group in East Sussex, England, not far from my former Crowborough home. This modern, but with vintage appearance, removable bird bath is made in metal (aluminium), and can be taken inside to display flowers in the home.

(Please click on any image for more information on these and other bird baths and garden feeders, from Accents in the Garden.)

While metal is used for the actual bath in the first picture, it is used in the stand on the second example. The actual bird bath is stone, or to be more precise stone reinforced with high intensity mesh fibres, and is hand made in the US. This is a good example of a bird bath as it is shallow, and easy to place in a safe place away from stalking cats.

I think we have to assume that birds do not really care about the appearance of a bird bath, and safety is their number one priority. A bird bath that is brightly coloured, too deep, and easy for a predator to reach them is not likely to attract any but the most confident of birds. If, on the other hand, it blends in naturally and nicely, and is designed for practical use by birds, then they will soon be happily bathing and drinking. This will delight them, and you too, as you relax in your garden or watch from the window.

 

The same safety concerns come with bird feeders, so always bear that in mind when choosing and placing a bird feeder too. You cannot make them 100% safe, but you can improve the odds of the birds having a safe feed.

However, I have witnessed at very close hand what it is like for a small bird to be attacked while feeding. I had a window bird feeder at a home in Dorset, and was watching a blue tit happily feeding on the nuts. I was just a few inches away, close enough to see the petrified expression on the birds face as a young bird of prey, a hobby from the nearby moor, came swooping in from nowhere. The immature predator misjudged the attack, and was gone in a flash. The blue tit, shaking with fear, went to a tree a few metres away. I went out and stood beside it, to prevent any further attack as the poor little creaure recovered.

If you enjoy observing nature, then bird baths and feeders are a must for your garden. They are not just garden decor, they can be far more than that.

Over the years, some more decorative bird feeders have appeared, such as the shell bird feeder above left. The choices are wide, and we will be looking at options on another page.