Being & Birds

This summer I was diligent about keeping my three backyard bird baths filled with fresh water. By mid-August I had observed an estimated 70 individual birds across 11 species using them. The number of individual birds is an estimate, since I was counting them by eye throughout the summer, but it gave me a sense of just how much use my bird baths were getting.

Individual birds seen include 20 American Robin, 12 Blue Jay, 12 House Finch, 12 House Sparrow, 4 Northern Cardinal, 2 Northern Flicker, 2 Black-capped Chickadee, 4 Eastern Bluebird, 6 Chipping Sparrow, 2 American Goldfinch, and 2 Brown-headed Cowbird. Most birds were regular visitors. Birds that stopped by only once or twice include the Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, and Brown-headed Cowbird. A House Wren and Gray Catbird was seen near the bath but never went for it.

Additionally, a Yellow-rumped warbler used the bath to drink in early and mid-June. An uncommon bird for the area during that time of year.

Although all three baths got some use, one definitely got the most attention: a clay-glazed pedestal bird bath next to my vegetable garden. It was a favorite spot for birds to drink, bathe, and cool off on hot summer days.

Seeing so many birds use such a simple addition to my yard showed me that you don’t need a large garden or elaborate setup to make your yard more useful to birds. Providing clean, fresh water can make a real difference. And a bird bath can attract more birds than you might expect.