Every year, birds fly thousands of miles across different continents to find essential resources. During each spring and fall season, your backyard has some of the resources these migrating birds need to survive and to avoid the tragedy of not having clean water.
Bring Hummingbirds Right To Your Window!
Check PriceThe height, depth, and placement of the water dish affect whether your good intentions become an actual lifesaver or just another opportunity missed. Many people think any dish with water is going to help birds, but there is real science behind what birds need while migrating.
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Station One: The System of Puddles on the Ground Level
Migrant songbirds generally prefer puddles, and you can imitate a puddle for them. Use a shallow dish or saucer that is 12-18 inches wide and place it on the ground near some shrubs or soft vegetation. Fill the dish with 1-2 inches of water. Any deeper, and small birds will be scared away due to their inability to judge the depth.
The nesting boxes should be within three feet of natural cover such as tall vegetative growth, shrubs, or small trees. Birds will have greater shelter security when approaching the boxes.
Station 2: The Cautious Species Middle Level Bath
To minimize the risk of being attacked while drinking from ground level, open habitat birds should have an additional water source such as a plant stand, upturned pot, or specialized birdbath pedestal positioned at a height of 2-3 feet. This will entice finches and sparrows as they prefer drinking from above.
Incorporate depth guidelines for ground stations and place some small rocks or twigs for perching spots. Birds often prefer landing on a solid surface before they actually commit to the water.
Stop 3: Tree-Height Sanctuary
Hang a small dish about 4-6 feet high on a tree branch or a high post to attract tree-nesting species such as warblers and other insect-eating migrating birds. These birds like water sources that are high up to fit their normal habitat preferences.
Keep the station smaller than the ground-level types – a simple plant saucer works perfectly. The main thing is consistent access to water, but not large amounts, since these species drink quickly and cautiously.
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Station 4: The Water Magnet
Birds see moving water faster than they see still water. One way to attract birds is to make a sound that simulates moving water. You can do this by hanging a plastic bottle with holes drilled into it (so it will drip). A basic drip system will draw birds from multiple city blocks.
Another idea is to add a small solar fountain to one of your existing stations. The moving water will reflect sunlight and create little ripples that will attract birds.
Station 5: The Express Lane for Hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds are specific about the type of water source they need during migration. They require shallow water that allows for quick sipping and no need for landing. Take a plant saucer and fill it with water just to the bottom of the saucer. Then, add a few flat rocks to break the surface.
Place this station near your feeders and flower patches. Hummingbirds have specific stopping zones during migration, so having several feeders and stations nearby will attract them to your yard.
Station 6: The Weatherproof Emergency Supply
To build a backup system for bad weather, you can partially shelter one water source under low branches (or a simple lean-to shelter). This minimizes total freeze-over during late fall migration and opens water sources during short storms.
Heated bird baths can be used during winter to prevent water from freezing. An aquarium heater can be placed in the bird bath to also prevent the bath from freezing. Many late migratory birds depend on these emergency resources during cold weather.
Station 7: Social Dining Zone
Some types of birds enjoy opportunities for social drinking. For these birds, use large, shallow dishes or plant saucers that are 18–24 inches wide, and keep the water at a constant 1 inch level. Make multiple landing pads from flat stones and place them evenly around the perimeter.
Position these away from the feeding stations so there is no competition between eating and drinking. Different species exhibit different behaviors when it comes to food and water, and by separating these activities, you will help alleviate stress on all species.
Maintenance Made Simple
During peak migration periods (April-May and August-October), clean water stations every three to four days. While cleaning, remove any algae, replace the water, and check for mosquito larvae. Water stations that have a current will need to be cleaned less frequently, as they will not experience stagnation.
You can set up the stations close to garden hoses, or you can use a large watering can to fill the stations once a week to service multiple stations at once. It is better to be consistent than perfect. Birds will remember reliable water sources and will return to them time and time again during their travels.
This water station system allows you to be a part of the secret system that aids the migration of a multitude of birds. Each drink obtained from the stations provides birds with the fuel required to journey to different locations.
