-
Hanging Bird Baths Do Double-Duty
As hot as the past few summers have been, providing a fresh water source for feathered friends is crucial. It’s a life-saving element in many instances. The bath needn’t be an elaborate one, as water is the prize, and guaranteed….it attracts birds like no other accessory.Hanging bird baths are a great option if trying to decide on a new bath. They keep birds safe from ground predators because of the height at which they are hung. They’re easy to clean as most are made in ceramic, glass, or plastic inserts that fit in a decorative holder. You have various mounting options with hanging bird baths: any branch, or a shepherds hook, or a mounting bracket from a deck or porch. But the best thing is that they do double-duty!
As winter approaches and temperatures drop, hanging bird baths may be used as bird feeders too. And not just for seed, the platform area allows you to feed a variety of treats to birds. Suet, peanuts, mealworms or any mix of food may be used with ease. So change it up according to season, and instead of turning the birdbath upside down for winter storage, help birds to thrive by offering nutritious, high energy foods for them during those tough winter months.
- Bird Accessories, Bird Nesting Materials, Hummingbird Feeders, Misters and Birdbath Drippers, Nesting Material, Uncategorized, Window Hummingbird Feeder
Add More to Your Window Hummingbird Feeder
It’s a known fact that hummingbirds practice site fidelity – if they find great accommodations, there’s a very good chance they’ll return the following season. If you love watching the tiny sprites and have window hummingbird feeders or hanging ones, there’s a couple more things you can offer to accommodate more hummingbirds, and keep them coming back.They love water, and if it’s moving water – even better! Birdbath accessories like fountains and drippers act like a magnet for hummingbirds. I think the leaf misters might just be their favorite. The way they dance, back and forth to play and bathe in the fine mist is mesmerizing. I could sit and observe for hours if there were time. We have two misters, one is upright, staked in the ground, wrapped around a simple green plant stake with a twistie to hold the nozzle in place. The other is up higher, and more horizontal, off the front porch railing, attached to a metal bracket. They really love these things!
Another wonderful accessory (actually endorsed by The Hummingbird Society) is Hummer Helper Nesting Material. It’s a kit with a hanging, red flat basket, and nest material. Goldfinches use this material as well to build their nests. The good thing with the kit is that refills are also sold separately. Our kit saw a lot of activity last season, but I never could figure out where the nests were?
Try it and see for yourself!
-
Add This to Your Hummingbird Feeder
The all-important ant moat!If you’ve ever seen pesky ants crawling along your hummingbird feeder, or swimming (drowning) in the nectar, this is the solution. An ant moat really works at keeping ants off and out of your hummingbird feeder. The only, simple requirement is that the moat be kept filled with water. Moat…water…get it? Ants can’t swim, so there’s absolutely no way for them to touch the feeder.
If bees or wasps are a problem, look for a hummingbird feeder with wasp-proof ports. Thee are usually raised, which makes it harder for the wicked pests to enter. They eventually give up.
To attract hummingbirds, a fresh water source always helps. Preferably something that is moving, like a birdbath fountain, or bubbler. Leaf misters are adored by hummingbirds and butterflies, and you can bet they’ll be back everyday to play and bathe in the fine mist they produce.
Birding Tips, Information & News