We used to have a birdbath when we lived at Bruce. It eventually died when we were overseas due to a flock of choughs landing on it in an unbalncing manner so that the top fell off and shattered on some nearby rocks. When operational, I overcame the 'depth problem by placing a couple of rocks in the middle of the bath giving a shallow area and a mid-bath perch. It seemed to work well judging by the patronage of fantails, thornbills and honyeaters as well as larger birds.
The major pollution issue was the regurgitated pellets from currawongs (another reason to hate the species) dissolving to form a layer of masticated Cotoneaster berries or beetle body armour depending on the season. As this was days before water restrictions I found that using a hose to refill it also de-sludged it sufficiently well for the end users to remain happy.
Martin
On Tue, Sep 14, 2010 at 2:45 PM, Barbara Preston <> wrote:
A lesson from the thread (other than to not run over the
birdbath - might hurt the car ...) is to get one with a basin that's separate
from the base so it's easy to tip and empty (and the base stays securely on the
carefully leveled ground ...), and have it readily accessible for cleaning &
adding water. Mine is not as accessible as I would wish, but OK for emptying and
refilling every couple of days in summer (less frequently in winter). Mine
has a very rough surface, and a good flat edge.
I noticed a rather too scruffy CR at it last summer, and
not wanting possible disease spread I immediately emptied the basin, and
did not refill for a few days - perhaps should also have done the bleach job
... (did not notice that CR again).
BTW - lovely male Golden Whistler in the trees outside
my office in recent days - there have been females /juveniles around. Lots of
YFHEs enjoying the grevilleas, and, I think, a New Holland Honeyeater (did not
get a clear view).
cheers
Barbara
_______________________
Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 2:01 PM Subject: [canberrabirds] Bird baths
I
think the observations about ravens dunking bread and whatever are fairly
typical. And yes it does make it hard to keep clean. I can say I have given up
on having a bird bath. Or that happened when a few years ago I accidentally
drove the car over it and wrecked it. I used to just scrub it out with a brush
every few days when I felt in the mood. They require much more maintenance than
you might think at seeing one in the landscape shop and think oh that is a nice
idea. For a start, even on a slightly sloping block, it is hard to get them to
stay upright. The idea of using bleach etc to clean it seems a bit over the top.
First I have heard of going to that extreme.
I
think the designs of most of these things are terrible. They are usually shallow
bowl shaped and smooth surfaced and thus minimally useful for small birds as
they are much too deep.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Beatty
[
Sent: Tuesday, 14 September 2010
8:58 AM
To:
Subject: RE:
[canberrabirds] RE : Bird baths
I’m glad someone has
brought up the subject of bird baths! The ravens who nest each year in a tree
next door have got into the habit of bringing bread from another neighbouring
garden, and dunking it in my bird bath. I‘ve spoken twice to the
neighbours who kindly leave out bread for the birds (sigh!) twice over the last
couple of years, but it still seems to appear. Now I find that every morning,
the ravens dunk whatever they get to eat in my bird bath – beakfulls of dog
food, dismembered prey, donuts, lollies…. It’s such a foetid mess that other
birds have stopped using it – alas. My latest plot is to cover the bath after
dark so that when they come in the morning they can’t dunk. Of course no other
birds can use it either. I wonder what time it’s safe to remove the cover? Does
anyone have a better idea?
Sue
From: Judy Corp
[
Sent: Tuesday, 14 September 2010 8:40
AM
To: 'Trish Munro';
'Canberra
Birds'
Subject: RE:
[canberrabirds] RE : Bird baths
Hi
We
aren’t as diligent as that but fresh water every day is important. I’d be
interested in others opinions on this too.
Judy
From: Trish
Munro [
Sent: Tuesday, 14 September 2010 7:32
AM
To: Canberra
Birds
Subject: [canberrabirds]
RE : Bird baths
Hi
COGers,
Can I have some advise please?
I read in the
Sunday Canberra Times 'Relax' supplement that bird baths should be cleaned and
disinfected with a weak bleach solution and then, after rinsing out and placing
in the sun to thoroughly dry for a while, they are safe to replenish and
use for birds again.
Is this regime OK by COG
standards?
Please can I have some guidance before I do
this.
Thanks,
Trish
Munro
Garran
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