In this sweltering heatwave, I leave a bowl of clean water outside for the birds - People always have access to water, but animals and birds can't ask for it... So we must provide this for them. As we share this world with all other creatures. Since we (humans) are mostly responsible for ruining the environment for everyone else. It's the least we can do - It doesn't even cost anything. But it can be a lifesaver for a thirsty bird.
Yep. Birds are highly beneficial to our gardens. They collect bugs, caterpillars, worms, grubs and eat them, not to mention need them to feed their baby birds. We should all have water outside year round for the birds. I have two bird baths and different birds use one rather than the other since one is quite deep and the other more shallow for the smaller birds. It's also good to put a flat rock in the center for bees and butterflies to land on so they can get hydrated as well.
I like your idea about a flat rock in there. For the bees. I'll put a seperate smaller bowl and so it in that. Below is a post where I helped an injured bird. And she has become a friend. She's still outside even now. https://www.gardenstew.com/threads/injured-whistling-kite-hawk-successfully-flying-again.42884/
my bird bath broke, i forgot to take it in for the winter, so I'm going to have to get a new one sooner rather than later
We've two bird baths at opposite ends of the garden and a fountain half-way between them, always with water. There's a saucer of water on the patio and another in the hedgehog feeder next to the pellets, so I think we've got it covered.
I have a birdbath in the backyard and a small shallow pool for the front. We have lots of birds, some rabbits, quail squirrels and who knows what else take advantage of them both.
I make a point of leaving a very shallow tray under the water barrel tap for the bees and Shrews. I found a dead Shrew next to a water bowl he couldn't reach into during the drought a few years back
