Bird baths are essential for birds’ well-being. They provide a source of fresh, clean drinking water, particularly during hot, dry weather, or when ponds and lakes are frozen in the depths of winter.
Beyond drinking, bird baths serve a second—and arguably more important—purpose: allowing birds to remove dirt and parasites. This is crucial for keeping feathers in good condition, ensuring proper insulation, flight, and waterproofing.
After their bath, birds will preen their plumage, an essential process that realigns feathers and re-applies vital waterproofing oils.
While bird baths are great for our feathered friends, there is the matter of cost. A giant 10-foot marble bath can set you back over £24,000, while even a standard model may cost around £80.
Garden expert Alan Titchmarsh however, has a simple DIY idea for a bird bath that costs just a fraction of the price of one purchased from a garden centre.
“All you need,” Alan says, “is a plant pot and saucer—which should cost no more than about £6—and a small squeeze of silicone sealant.”
On his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh YouTube channel, he demonstrates how to attach the two components, explaining: “All you need is a flower pot and a saucer… you stick that onto that and put water in it!”
The silicone sealant not only acts as glue but also cushions the saucer against the base, giving your birds a soft landing.
Once your homemade bird bath is assembled, simply fill it with water and, for the benefit of smaller birds, add a few pebbles for them to perch on.
Alan advises refilling it from time to time to keep the water fresh and clean: “When they come and bathe, they’ll splash it out.”
Experts say it’s better to have no bird bath than a dirty one. Stagnant, contaminated water can spread deadly diseases such as salmonellosis and avian pox among birds.
Alan stresses: “Every day, when it starts to look a bit mucky, just tip it out, put the pebbles back, and fill it up again.”
He adds that he’s quite pleased with the result, noting that the bird bath costs only “a fraction of the price of a manufactured one” and “looks rather splendid.”
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