Please think about the wildlife.

**mothhawk** · 19-07-2018, 07:13 PM

I use two plant pot saucers - a large one 10", for blackbirds and other bigger birds, and a smaller one 6" across for the bluetits and such. During all this hot weather it's been a public lido, so many birds coming for a drink and a bath. Even the bluetits have had baths, which is a rare occurrence in the garden. The sparrows seem happy to share, but all the other birds prefer to bathe alone, so take turns.

I've seen bees and wasps coming to drink too, and once in the middle of the day, a field mouse.

**Lumpy** · 19-07-2018, 07:20 PM

Our bird bath in the back garden is in constant demand. I’ve put a brick in the middle so the bees don’t drown.
The casserole dish lid deals with the back garden hog and mouse family.

**bramble** · 19-07-2018, 07:31 PM

Yes Lumpy, I put water out for the wildlife all year round.
We have a birdbath out in the back garden.
A couple of old pie plates for the smaller birds and insects and a little insect dish for the bees.
Love watching all the activity around them all.

**Mr Bones** · 20-07-2018, 05:24 AM

We always have a birdbath which is regularly visited and also have a tray behind the shed, half covered with a small slab. Still found a frog in the watering can this week though

**Jay-ell** · 20-07-2018, 05:58 AM

I have a couple of grow bag trays and a couple of cheap roasting trays laid out on the plots at the lottie topped up whenever someone goes down. Not too deep for them to drown (not after finding the magpie) but a fair amount of water.

**1Bee** · 20-07-2018, 09:45 AM

There's usually a fair amount of water round and about where we are, but at the start of the drought I put out two large plant saucers with a rock in each, both in our front garden. One is down on the ground near undergrowth, the other is on the wall (good visibility to keep safe from predators). I've had to top up the wall one twice a day, even though it holds nearly 2 litres. There's a steady stream of birds and insects visiting, including our village peacock!

It's actually been rather nice seeing them all through our living room window. I certainly feel as if it's been appreciated!

**KevinM67** · 20-07-2018, 12:20 PM

Originally posted by Jay-ell View Post

I have a couple of grow bag trays and a couple of cheap roasting trays laid out on the plots at the lottie.

I'm curious if the water would get really hot during the intense mid-afternoon sun ?

**Miss Mousetrousers** · 20-07-2018, 12:24 PM

I was watching lots of birds this morning having a lovely wash in our waterfall feature! I have kept filling up a stone bath on a plinth plus there is a continual supply of fresh water in our goose and hen pen.

**DannyK** · 20-07-2018, 12:33 PM

Keep an eye open for mosquitoes and change water if they appear.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 20-07-2018, 12:36 PM

The lack of water is affecting all sorts of wild life, last night I watched as a hoard of wasps were all over one of my hanging basket, Sat and watched for a few minutes and realised I had only watered a some minutes before and they were taking advantage of the seepage coming through the bottom.

**Earthgirl Jen** · 20-07-2018, 09:24 PM

Today I helped a bee that I nearly stood on the mat at the door of the conservatory, I fed it sugar water and lifted it onto the table. it was gone within the hour.

I also have 2 grow bag watering trays that have continually been water drinking/bathing trays since the 'Beast from the East' arrived. I've decided that this year they are much more effective as bird, insect, whatever, watering holes. I can buy more for my plants!. One is in the shade and one was in full sun, both have added stones for the insects to 'clamber' out of the water. Even the one that sat in full sun during the heatwave and was 'warm' by the afternoon was still visited frequently by the birds, amazing creatures x

I have been feeding them continually since the cold weather but I've eased back. They get breakfast and supper and only sunflower hearts as there is never any waste with these.

I will admit I did up it to 2 mugs fulls a day during the really hot weather as there didn't seem to be as many insects because everything was so dry.

Intuitive creatures birds they really did seem to use it as a 'last resort' and weren't using it all the time.

**veggiechicken** · 20-07-2018, 09:30 PM

I have some office filing trays, the ones that are lower in the front than at the back. I prop up the front so that there's a bit more water at the back, but its low enough in the front that anything can crawl in and get out again without risk of being trapped.

**Potstubsdustbins** · 26-07-2018, 03:30 PM

Wasps scavenging for water, they must be desperate as I don't think this is normal behaviour.

Attached Files

**Lumpy** · 26-07-2018, 03:51 PM

It’s so bad that the bugs are swarming over the leaves I’ve just sprinkled.
Water trays out front seem to be doing a roaring trade.
Hog poo in them come morning but a variety of birds dipping in and out.
Yesterday saw a pigeon in the bird bath. It looked like a duck sitting in the water. After a lot of splashing about raised both wings to dry it’s wing pits. Then went and sat on next doors anti bird spikey things to dry off.
Better than the TV.

Announcement

Please think about the wildlife.

Please think about the wildlife.

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Latest Topics

Recent Blog Posts