Experts say there’s one thing you need to do in your garden this February. During the thick of winter, putting a rock in your birdbath could have a benefit for wildlife.
With temperatures dropping, any water in your birdbath might freeze over – but a small object that moves around in the wind will keep the water moving and stop it from freezing.
Susan Morgan, CEO SongBird Survival told Ideal Home: “As winter sets in, it’s essential to ensure your bird bath remains a welcoming oasis for your feathered visitors.
“To prevent water from freezing, place a small, wobbly rock (or even a ping pong ball!) in the water bath, which helps keep the water moving. Regularly check and refill the water to maintain a fresh supply.”
But if you’re looking to use this trick, it’s important to avoid common de-icers such as boiling water and salt.
Chris Bonnett, founder of GardeningExpress, told Ideal Home: “Adding boiling water to a cold bird bath will cause a dramatic change in temperature and could easily cause the bird bath to shatter.
“Salts can also stop water from freezing by lowering the freezing point but in this instance you’ll want to stay away from this solution as they can be harmful to birds and make them sick.”
But this is not the only tip you can follow. A simple way to keep water from freezing is to put out a fresh bowl of water daily. Unless it’s extremely cold, the water should remain thawed throughout the day.
You should also consider where you put your birdbath. For example, keeping it in a part of your garden where it is more likely to get sun means your water is less likely to freeze.
By following this simple gardening trick, you can ensure any wildlife in your garden will be able to still use your birdbath over winter.
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