An aging, frugal farm boy here. I use a heated dog dish with a rock in its middle to water the birds. It works well. Nary a complaint from a single bird. A young great horned owl dipped its talons in the dish this fall. Everything is copacetic.
Such a wonderful idea, and such amazing pictures as a result! Thank you so much for sharing this small kindness that brings us into closer connection with our wonderful feathered friends!
I love people who help birds through the winter. Here we've had what we politely and understatedly call a cold snap and it's making the heated baths really work; though there are ice rings on the bird baths, there's still some open water in the middle!
I have a heated birdbath mounted on my deck, and the birds use it extensively (and squirrels, too.) Today it was 10 degrees here and sunny. Several birds, including some house sparrows, robins, and starlings, got into the water and started splashing around/bathing. I have read that this is dangerous for them in the cold weather. Is that true? I put a rock in the center of the bath to try to deter bathing in the winter, but apparently it is not big enough to keep them from sitting in the water. What are your thoughts about this issue?
So much good information here along with your wonderful pictures. As many of us are experiencing unusually cold weather this week and wanting to help our feathered friends, I am sure that I am not alone in appreciating all that you are sharing here. Thank you!
So uplifting (for us readers as well as the birds lucky enough to come to your yard)! I'm going to figure out how to do this. Thank you for a lovely idea.
Wow! Yes...the birds are loving the heated birdbath water we have out also. I have been very frustrated at the residual starling population that has been coming to drink all the water. They drink it all and leave a horrible mess behind!! With our subzero temps, it has not been possible to clean out all of their mess. I am looking forward to some normal temps soon, so I can clean the birdbath. It is fascinating to watch all the various bird species coming to get a drink! Thanks for the post!
The Perfect Example of Symbiosis! (Look it up ;<)) How dear and loving of humans who care so much to offer heated birdbath water to their little feathered friends! This appeals to me no end!!
As "born 'n bred" Californians, we cannot imagine or grasp the problems of such cold climates as you have, Diane. Only one year in our 48, here on this hillside just inland from Santa Cruz, did the temperature dropped to freezing....blackening all our ferns...temporarily, whew! They grew back, soon after our shock had passed. The birds coped with it, somehow. But I'd sure have rigged up a heater for our birdbath!!! Wonderful photos, as ever, Diane. Thanks for sharing, as your feathered buddies would also say!
Is this your birdbath? How impressive!
An aging, frugal farm boy here. I use a heated dog dish with a rock in its middle to water the birds. It works well. Nary a complaint from a single bird. A young great horned owl dipped its talons in the dish this fall. Everything is copacetic.
Diane Porter’s bird pics are gorgeous! Thank you Diane and anyone that posted them!
Thanks for curating such a beautiful portfolio of images. What a delight!
Such a wonderful idea, and such amazing pictures as a result! Thank you so much for sharing this small kindness that brings us into closer connection with our wonderful feathered friends!
I love people who help birds through the winter. Here we've had what we politely and understatedly call a cold snap and it's making the heated baths really work; though there are ice rings on the bird baths, there's still some open water in the middle!
Soooo, where do we find a heated birdbath? 🙏🏼
My heated birdbath is working overtime! And the birds love it.
Is it really necessary to clean it every day?
It IS a flood of delight!
How do you heat a bird bath in this weather without cracking it
I have a heated birdbath mounted on my deck, and the birds use it extensively (and squirrels, too.) Today it was 10 degrees here and sunny. Several birds, including some house sparrows, robins, and starlings, got into the water and started splashing around/bathing. I have read that this is dangerous for them in the cold weather. Is that true? I put a rock in the center of the bath to try to deter bathing in the winter, but apparently it is not big enough to keep them from sitting in the water. What are your thoughts about this issue?
Wow! As frigid as it's been in your neck of the woods, it's heartening to learn of how you're helping y(our) feathered friends!
So much good information here along with your wonderful pictures. As many of us are experiencing unusually cold weather this week and wanting to help our feathered friends, I am sure that I am not alone in appreciating all that you are sharing here. Thank you!
So uplifting (for us readers as well as the birds lucky enough to come to your yard)! I'm going to figure out how to do this. Thank you for a lovely idea.
Wow! Yes...the birds are loving the heated birdbath water we have out also. I have been very frustrated at the residual starling population that has been coming to drink all the water. They drink it all and leave a horrible mess behind!! With our subzero temps, it has not been possible to clean out all of their mess. I am looking forward to some normal temps soon, so I can clean the birdbath. It is fascinating to watch all the various bird species coming to get a drink! Thanks for the post!
The Perfect Example of Symbiosis! (Look it up ;<)) How dear and loving of humans who care so much to offer heated birdbath water to their little feathered friends! This appeals to me no end!!
As "born 'n bred" Californians, we cannot imagine or grasp the problems of such cold climates as you have, Diane. Only one year in our 48, here on this hillside just inland from Santa Cruz, did the temperature dropped to freezing....blackening all our ferns...temporarily, whew! They grew back, soon after our shock had passed. The birds coped with it, somehow. But I'd sure have rigged up a heater for our birdbath!!! Wonderful photos, as ever, Diane. Thanks for sharing, as your feathered buddies would also say!