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Here's the latest advice from Birdlife Australia:
'Provide clean water
Don’t worry – your bird bath can stay.
Like us, birds need water to survive, and many backyard species need fresh water to drink and bathe in.
Providing safe, clean and fresh water is a great way to help your local native birds, especially with summer approaching.
Instead of a single, shared water source, we recommend providing
multiple shallow water sources around your backyard (but only as many as you can maintain!) Different species prefer different depths of water, so try a variety of shapes and sizes to see what water sources work
best for your local birds.
Most importantly, clean and replace water daily
to prevent contamination, and remove any dirt and droppings by rinsing and scrubbing water sources thoroughly. You can clean and disinfect bird baths and other water sources by
scrubbing them with hot water and a splash of vinegar or bleach solution (one cup of domestic-strength bleach to four litres of water) before
rinsing thoroughly and leaving them in the sun to dry. Wash your hands thoroughly after topping up or cleaning water sources.
By changing water daily, you can also steer clear of any harsh chemicals, including synthetic soaps and disinfectants – which can be toxic for birds and strip natural oils from their
feathers. There’s no need to stock-up on F10 either: it’s a powerful, hospital grade disinfectant commonly used in veterinary clinics, and isn’t necessary in keeping your bird bath clean and fresh.'
Cheers
Mitchell
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