Summer craft
Make a bird bath
Give garden birds a place to bathe and drink
● Large terracotta pot or four bricks
(to use as a base)
● Wide, shallow dish or bowl
(make sure it's watertight)
● A handful of stones
● Clean water, from
the tap or a water butt
Birds need clean water to drink
and bathe in all year round, and
especially in hot weather.
Help out our feathered friends
this summer by building a bird
bath at home or school.
You will need…
Words: Morwenna Kearns. Illustrations and photography: Claire Watson Choose a place for your bird bath.
It should be in a clear spot, so birds
can look out for danger, with trees and
bushes nearby in case they need to hide.
1.
Turn your large plant pot upside-down
on a flat area of ground or, if you're using
bricks, place them next to each other on
the ground to create a sturdy base.
2.
Place the dish or large bowl on the top.
Check it doesn't wobble!
3.
Scatter a few stones of different sizes in
the bowl. These will be perfect perches
for birds and help stop insects and other
small animals getting stuck - try adding
a wooden ramp for hedgehogs (just make
sure it's stable). 4.
Slowly pour water into the bowl. The water
should be at least 2.5cm deep but make
sure the tops of some stones are
above the surface.
5.
Clean and refill your birdbath often -
especially on hot days. If you see dirt, leaves
or algae, it needs a wash. Wear gloves, and
don't use strong chemicals as they can harm
wildlife. Make sure it's well rinsed and air
dried before you fill it again.
6.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS
Wait nearby to see which bird
species visit your bird bath
(look out for bees and other
insects too). You could take
photographs, draw pictures,
or write down what you see
in a nature notebook. Stay
very still and quiet so
you don't disturb
their bathtime!
KEEP AN EYE OUT
Make sure your stones are
Make sure your stones are
spread evenly, so your
spread evenly, so your
bird bath doesn't wobble
bird bath doesn't wobble
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