Do birds actually use bird baths
You are not the only one believing bird baths don't get used, and just because you might not see it occur, its not to say it still offers a vital life line.
Birds do use bird baths more often then you think, it just has to be the right conditions; which is great for you, but a problem for them. Bird baths can be seasonal as wild birds seek out water sources in long spells of dry weather. But in wetter months, they can find a source in nature rather than use a bird bath.
Maybe, just maybe, common garden birds who happily use your feeders will not use your wild bird bath because of a poor setup.
You want to get birds to use your bird bath, then be sure to create inviting conditions that would include its own little eco-system inside the bird bath bowl, as well has surrounding the bird bath.
What I mean is while birds really want to use it, the bird bath requires a little adjustment.
Could it be located with no clear line of flight or indeed, is the water too deep in the bird bath, so they're not risking it.
Then be sure to top it up with stones or pebbles, but so to can you use a rock or brick to make an artificial perch.
Danger could be looming too, so do you have a cat problem that is sure to keep them away at all times.
Moreso, an unsteady bird bath that is not level could prevent them landing on the rim.
Locate the bird bath within a landscape that blends in with nearby trees or hedgerows, as birds love to stay a safe distance before deciding to use a bird bath.
What else you can do is setup only the best bird bath on a stand so its higher off the ground - where birds can also feed in safer conditions while in your garden.
One more idea, why not attract wild birds by setting up a solar powered bird bath fountain, as the glistening water with gentle sounds could be an attractive proposition.
Likely too with little rainfall
No doubt about it common garden birds who regularly feed at your wild bird feeding station would likely to prefer to stay away from the bird bath.
However, that is not a likely scenario when times or hard, as the country goes through a drought or we experience long summer months.
Its then possible to see birds actually use the bird bath for real.
While it would be hard to see the Robins, Tits or Sparrows on the bird bath, that is not to say they quickly stopped by to take a sip of water.
To see wild birds staying longer in the garden for a proper dip in the bird bath, would indeed be a rare occurrence.
So while a bird bath can be put up in the correct spot, rocks can be in the water or it could be located near a food source - it can be difficult to see them bathe or drink if water sources are widely available during wetter months.
Uncommon occurrence
Uncommon as it is to actually see wild birds use a bird bath, but just because you are not a witness to it yourself, its not to say its being used.
Birds do prefer quiet spots and so to do they prefer little to no movement nearby.
Therefore if you are not up early enough, about the time wild birds are likely to feed in the morning - you could of missed the opportunity.
With that in mind you'd want to site the bird bath in an area in the garden that can be viewed from inside the home, to avoid disturbing them on that one occasion they just might decide to use it.
If you see a bird perched on the rim of the bird bath, but never lean over to take a sip or enter the water to bathe - something still could have happened.
It only takes a split second for a bird to sip water out of a bird bath, so just because you haven't seen it occur, its not to say the bird bath is getting used for its intended purpose.
Frequent if busier garden
To attract wild birds to use a bird bath you'd really want to set it near a food source so the birds know its there everyday.
Much like people, garden birds like to take a sip of liquid as they drink so expect the bird bath when it is actually used - to mostly be used to drink out of.
Locate the bird bath near the bird feeding station or the bird table so its never missed.
Gardens that experience a large number of visiting birds are likely the ones to benefit setting up a bird bath in the garden.
Busy, noisy garden setups away from trees, bushes or hedgerows, would be experiencing difficulty getting birds to feed, let alone use a bird bath.
Its then up to you to not only make your garden more welcoming, but being less busy with people, pets and passing traffic would be a good start.
No coverage no success
If you feel you have the right garden conditions, that includes a quieter garden with little to no movement, that would be mostly what you need.
But in order for shy wild birds to visit your garden to actually use the bird bath, it is unlikely to happen in a garden they don't wish to hang around.
Common garden birds in the UK do not only enjoy the cover a tree or hedgerow can offer them, but that natural coverage is vital for them sticking around.
If not then you'd constantly be chasing wild birds who pass over only.
Success is down to daily arrivals who visit your bird feeders or even feed off the lawn. In this time spent you could see them hop onto the bird bath on a pedestal to drink or bathe.
As a rule of thumb then, the garden environment must be inviting to birds as to use the garden for feeding, but only once they've fed the bird bath could be tempting to them.
To summarise actual bird bath use
I no, I no, it does feel like wild birds don't ever use a bird bath setup in the garden, but don't be fooled, birds do use bird baths under certain circumstances.
Circumstances being seasonal dependant, if the UK is experience long, wet months then birds have plenty of water sources in nature.
However, if the country is going through a dry spell its only then you can expect birds to use your bird bath to drink and bathe.
What you can do to encourage them to use the bird bath is set it up near the bird feeders or bird table. Its no good locating a bird bath in an area of the garden that is not only on the other side - but is not visible or accessible.
It can be an uncommon occurrence to witness wild birds use your bird bath, but that is not to say it ever gets used.
On the plus side at least the bird bath fills a void, while complimenting an otherwise bland garden landscape.
Make the garden conditions inviting to wild birds, it needs grass, bushes, trees or a hedgerow, then you'd see birds visit everyday. While the odds of using the bird bath is then far greater as they stick around for longer.
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