Don's Jersey Birding: Water for the Birds
by Don Torino
Photo Credit: waycoolpics.blogspot.com
With all of the rain and flooding we have had in New Jersey the last few months, I know that the last thing you want to think about is water. However, if you want to help birds through migration and the long, hot summer, you need to think about how you might provide a water source in your backyard for our feathered friends.
Most birds need water at one time or another. Woodpeckers get moisture from the insects and fruits that they consume. They also scoop up water from tree forks and branches. Woodpeckers often visit shallow streams and puddles and bathe using wet leaves. Although they mostly gather water from other sources, they will occasionally be found at birdbaths. Similar to Woodpeckers, Hummingbirds also bathe on wet leaves. In addition, they use “misters” to keep clean (this will be discussed in greater detail later).
By providing a backyard water source, you can help many birds and attract new species that do not visit your feeders, such as Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Orioles, and even some birds of prey. I commonly see Mourning Doves, Robins or Mockingbirds sitting in my birdbath like a family on summer vacation at Ortley Beach cooling themselves off. 
Photo Credit: Duncraft.com
A few summers ago, I spent a hot day birding at DeKorte Park. I decided to rest on a bench near a sprinkler system that was spraying a fine mist of water on the dry flower beds. It turned out to be the best spot of the day, and I didn’t even have to walk around. As I quietly sat there, I watched Baltimore and Orchard Orioles coming in to cool down. Yellow Warblers, Cedar Waxings, and Barn Swallows flew in to scoop up mud to repair their nests.
If fresh water is important to birds in a vast area like the Meadowlands, it can be an even more sought out resource in your backyard where water is less common. Try to imagine your yard from an aerial view. How close is the nearest water source? A few blocks? A few miles? Urban sprawl has eliminated many small ponds and waterways. Your home pond or birdbath can be an important source for birds, providing water that they otherwise may have to travel long distances to find.
Photo Credit: stevecreek.com
Birds don’t care if you put out a $1000.00 custom-made birdbath or an old garbage can lid. The best water source you can provide is a shallow one. Pond kits are sold everywhere, but they can be harmful to birds. They are generally made of molded plastic, maybe a foot and a half or two feet deep with sides that go straight down. Often, when birds land on the sides of these ponds to drink or bathe, they fall or slip in and drown. These ponds, in a way, act as traps for birds.
Pond kits are a good idea, but they need to be restructured. Rocks and stones that are gradually sloped into the pond can create shallow areas that are safe for small birds to enter and exit the water.
In order to bathe, birds need water that is about knee deep. Think of how high the knees of a Chickadee are. They are pretty darn low. This means that most birdbaths are too deep. Once again, some nice flat rocks can help solve this problem. Lay them on one side of the bird bath to create areas for small birds. This simple trick will make the birdbath accessible to many more birds.
The next step is finding a good place to put your new bird spa. If there are cats that roam your neighborhood, keep the bath away from shrubs and places where cats can hide and possibly catch your birds. Place the bath in an open area where birds can see predators approaching and make a quick getaway. Also, position the bath or pond in a shaded area to slow down algae growth. This will save you some work down the road.
Photo Credit: calfinder.com
If electricity is not an option, drippers and misters that run off your outside faucet can also be a lot of fun for birds. You don’t even need to have a birdbath to use the misters. They can simply spray a fine mist onto your lawn or onto trees and shrubs, letting birds bathe in leaves. If you’re really lucky, Hummingbirds will dance through the water spray giving you a surreal experience you will not forget.
A question I often get asked is, “What about mosquitoes?” If you keep your birdbath clean, which you should for the health of the birds, mosquitoes will not be an issue. I don’t understand people who mosquito donuts for their birdbath. If you are not going to add fresh water daily to the bath and clean it at least a few times a week, then you might be better off not having one at all.
Mosquitoes can only breed if the water stays stagnant for a week or so. You should never allow your birdbath to sit that long without attending to it. When it needs cleaning, you can use a solution that contains one part bleach to ten parts water and a good brush. Vinegar can be used instead of bleach with the same 1:10 ratio. Moving water also prevents mosquitoes from breeding.
Water is a vital part of your backyard wildlife habitat. Whether you have a pond or a simple birdbath, providing a good clean water source for the area’s birds can mean survival for them and another way for you to enjoy your backyard wildlife habitat. Remember, every New Jersey backyard is important; put a part of it aside for wildlife. 
Don Torino is the Education Chairperson for Bergen County Audubon Society.
Categories: Don's Jersey Birding
Tags: water birds bird baths backyard habitat wildlife habitat bathing
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