Design a Pond for the Birds

Design a pond for the birds. Create spaces for feeding, nesting, and add bird baths and fountains as a water source for drinking and bathing.

If birds put a spring in a gardener’s step, then a pond beloved by birds is a delight to the water gardener and the bird watcher. Birds bring joy to a pond with their songs, and they are a type of urban and suburban wildlife that is so easy to observe. For those who want to attract more birds to the pond, here are some ways to invite them.

Why Attract Birds to the Pond?

Birds are an essential part of the pond ecosystem. Inviting birds into the garden means that these birds will eat insects. Birds also spread seeds in the garden, and hummingbirds pollinate flowers around the garden.

Pond Fountains and Warm Water are Elements of Pond Design for the Birds

Birds appreciate moving water. A slow-moving pond fountain or a moving bird bath is a perfect place for a bird to bath or drink. A pond fountain or bird bath that can be warmed slightly in the winter time will provide a source of water for winter birds. Make sure that the bird bath or pond is easy to clean and scrub it regularly to ensure clean water for the birds.

Plant Flowers and Berries Near the Pond to Provide Food for Birds

There are a number of edible wetland and riparian plants that provide excellent berries for birds. The species vary from region to region. Try to choose native species of plants so that the birds will be able to feed off local berries. Gardeners in the Americas can also plant red and pink bell-shaped flowers to provide a food source for hummingbirds.

Bushes and Nesting Supplies Around the Pond Encourage Birds to Stay

A bird who is in the open at a fountain or a bird bath may begin to feel exposed. Neighborhood cats may come calling for that bird, and trouble can ensue. Make sure that there are bushes near the pond that provide enough height and a dense enough thicket for birds. That way, predators will have a harder time finding the birds. Birds that feel comfortable around the pond may also choose to nest close by. Pond sedges and rushes and fuzzy pond plants like the cattail provide a good source of nesting material for birds.

One Responseto “Design a Pond for the Birds”

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  2. […] Design a Pond for the Birds | The BackYard Naturalist Create spaces for feeding, nesting, and add bird baths and fountains as a water source for drinking and bathing. If birds put a spring in a gardener's step, then a pond . the garden means that these birds will eat insects. Birds also spread seeds in the garden, and hummingbirds pollinate flowers around the garden. and Berries Near the Pond to Provide Food for Birds. There are a number of edible wetland and riparian plants that provide excellent berries for birds. […]