On these below freezing days, about every hour or so, I go out and pour warm water in the bird bath. It refreezes but I think the birds watch and wait for me because within minutes of me going back inside, there are several getting a drink of water. Next year I’m getting a heated bird bath . . really. That’s probably something I’d better sneak in along with the yarn. I guess then I’ll need a camo colored extension cord. Or, maybe . . now that the electrician has wired all the chicken coops, I’ll ask him to come back and run electricity directly to the bird bath. Or . . maybe not! 🙂 Seriously, it’s so hard to keep that water from freezing and the birds need water too! I don’t worry so much about them when we have a freeze for just overnight but when we have several days of below freezing temps, they need water!
Blue Bird
We’re working really hard to get Blue Birds back here. Vince has built Blue Bird houses and cleared the cedar trees from around them and we’re trying to control predators (and you don’t want to know those details). We’re actually getting our ag exemption for improving Blue Bird habitat. They love meal worms and Vince is building some meal worm feeders where I can go to my “meal worm bank” and scoop out a hand full and feed it to the Blue Birds. They’re so pretty and they’re downright gorgeous when the sun is shining on them . . or so I’ve been told. Who ever heard of having so many gray days in Texas? This is our fourth winter here and the first year we’ve seen day after day after day without sunshine. I’m thinking we should move to Missouri and hope for more sunshine but Vince reminded me that winters are worse there and there’s less sunshine during the winter. Doesn’t hurt to try, right?
Bird Feeders
I heard sleet hitting the metal roof and realized most of the bird feeders were empty so I ran out and filled them before the weather gets worse. I’m so glad I thought to have the welder put these little “tabs” for hanging bird feeders on the fence when he was adding the high fence to the pipe fence.
I hope these birds remember all I’m doing for them during the winter and maybe they’ll reciprocate by eating grasshoppers in the spring.
Dar in MO says
Those blue birds are beautiful. We have them in our yard too. I put up several houses that my DH built and I bought, but never could get them to use them. Faced them in the right direction and all. They preferred a home in tall railroad ties that are being used to hold up a 10 foot deer fence (from the previous owners). I think the woodpeckers drilled the perfect holes and now the blue birds moved into them. lol Whatever works is fine with me as long as they stay around.
Jackie says
Like you I worry about my birds during the winter though I only have chickadees, blue jays and the odd cardinal. My husband wants to list them as dependents at tax time as he says we always having to buy more seeds to feed them. lol
Vickie in nh says
Sounds like you need to get a bird bath water wiggler – don’t tell vince I told you about it but amazon sells them, and there is a solar version too 😉
Carol says
We have a heater for our bird bath (north Texas) that just is a small paddle shaped object and lays in the edge and uses an extension cord. Think it came from Wild Birds Unlimited. Just use it in when we have freezing weather. Works great and never have frozen birdbath. We have bluebirds as well and they are so gorgeous when the sun hits them. Usually have about 3 batches of babies each year totaling 18-20 babies hatched. Occasionally have a critter get in the box and clean it out. ICK! I’ve also been making bark butter for my birds–peanut butter, lard, oatmeal, cornmeal and birdseed. They LOVE it. Smear a forkful on tree bark or there are feeders for it as well. I made a double batch yesterday and made up 2 baseball size balls and put in mesh bags and hung on hooks–leftover from buying bag of lemons. Can’t wait for them to find it.
Rose says
Heated pet bowls are available thru Amazon at fairly reasonable prices (depending on size ordered) that could be placed in your current bird bath.
Judy L. says
Heated bird baths are available also at Amazon and locally. We use heated waterers since side the chicken coops.
Toni Wood says
We have used the heated pet bowls for several years now. You can pick them up a Tractor Supply.
Diana In R.R says
We have a heater we use for our small fountain and the birds can drink from it when the bird baths are frozen. Those I add water too in the mornings. The water wiggles are good for use other than when the water freezes. We use them the rest of the time to keep some movement in the water and hence fewer mosquitos. We are going through bird seed right now. Have blue birds in the area but there is too much other habitat for them close by. Pretty much gave up trying to get them to our feeders.
Marie Gilkey says
Since the state bird for Missouri is the Blue Bird, and i have been putting out feeders the last several years, during May I have as many as 10 sets here. Don’t have any idea where their nests are but just having them in the yard to enjoy has been a beautiful sight. Hope it warms up down there, as it has been colder than witch’s brew here. And i’m about 60 miles south of KC. No snow yet, Thank God, but wind chill has been minus forever and the wind just keeps wanting to blow. Stay safe and warm.
wanda j says
Judy at my old house I raised 3 sets of bluebirds babies each year for 20+ years. They would come back and fight over this one nesting box. I bought more and put around but no the all wanted this one. I put new one in it’s place and they refused to nest till DH took put old one back up.
In the month of February they would show up and all sleep together in box but when it go warm well the fight was on.
I would tell people I raised bluebirds and they would say” Oh you live in the country? Oh you must have a big open space?”No I live in the city,and no open spot either. It was just a tree close to the swing-set and playhouse.
Now they are strange birds. This house faces East, about 5 foot off ground, had a limb right in front of it. We put metal around tree so animals couldn’t climb up it.
I have tons of photos due to the fact we took one almost of every bunch. We got to where we could tell what mama was there due to the amount of eggs she laid. One laid 3,4, 5. We never saw them fledge then finally we caught on. They do it as dusk. So one night we sat and waited finally it happened.
We miss having birds at this new house but are trying. Like you know they must have water. If you put out water they will come. So good luck and get your camera ready for some photos.
Deep South 40 miles north of Houston,
wanda jordan
Deb S says
I have a solar heater that I put inside my birdbath for the winter. I think it’s called the Solar Sipper – works until it gets really, really cold for a couple days in a row. No electric cords, and it has a bit of a cover to keep falling leaves out of the water.