With more and more of Britain's countryside being swallowed up by urban development, life is becoming increasingly difficult for the native wild bird population. Where once there was an abundance of fields and hedgerows, now there are jungles of housing estates.
Factory units, sprawling retail parks and out-of-town supermarkets are growing faster than daises on a lawn, with the result that important wildlife habitats are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Food supplies are becoming scarcer and water resources are rapidly drying up; so unless the hand of friendship is extended in some small way, succeeding generations may never experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from watching our feathered friends peacefully going about their everyday lives!
It has to be said that many people go out of their way to show kindness and generosity to garden birds, especially during the long, cold, winter months; providing wild-bird food, bread, tit-bits, pieces of fruit or bags of nuts and bacon rind suspended from a washing line. Unfortunately, many of us unwittingly fail to acknowledge the extreme importance of a continual supply of water as well as basic foods.
Throughout the year garden birds depend on a regular source of water for drinking and for bathing. Unlike human beings they do not need a long relaxing soak in the bath, as this would obviously cause extensive damage to the water-proofing properties of their feathers. Their reason for bathing is related purely to their preening habits.
In order to maintain their plumage in optimum condition, preening is of paramount importance and bathing in a shallow pool of water enables the feathers to become slightly damp, thereby spreading the oil outwards from their preen gland located at the base of the tail.
Providing a simple basic birdbath in the garden is both helpful, useful, and from a human perspective; entertaining and rewarding. Commercially-made baths are readily available at outlets such as garden centres at a range of prices but, unfortunately, in many cases the designs are inappropriate for the birds' needs.
An old upturned dustbin lid supported underneath, a discarded wheelbarrow or washing-up bowl with a couple of rocks or bricks in the bottom enabling the birds to reach the water will do just as well, without the necessity of spending any money.
If space is not at a premium in the garden, a small pond is well worth the effort of digging. And by providing a small variety of water plants, creatures such as Newts, Frogs and Dragonflies will soon take advantage of the local "oasis" and become frequent visitors.
As birds are closely watched it quickly becomes apparent that different species drink in different ways. Pigeons and Doves for instance stay at the source for a while taking long draughts while constantly looking around them; conversely the wheeling Swallows and Swifts dip down for a quick sip as they stay on the wing. Garden birds on the other hand take a quick drink and, tipping their heads up; let it run down their throats.
Immense pleasure can be derived from the simple observation of the various species with a pair of inexpensive binoculars. Making written notes of their habits will certainly add to the overall enjoyment. Or, for the slightly more ambitious bird-watcher, it may be worthwhile setting up a camera or camcorder on a tripod or stable surface inside the home to record the antics of these fascinating little creatures - filmed through the window!
By providing a constant source of water throughout the year, it will not be too difficult to attract a constant stream of birds to a garden…day in and day out. And who knows - with patience and good luck you may even have the red-breasted Robin eating out of your hand!
