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Water
Feb 3, 2012 8:53:00 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 3, 2012 8:53:00 GMT
Last year I put a fishtank heater in my birdbath during the very bad weather. It worked just fine and the birds used it a lot.
Now I'm not so sure whether to do it again as I wonder if I'm interfering with nature, after all we've had frost before and other birds seem to get by. Do they eat snow or hawfrost, the 'other' birds must find water out in the wild.
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Water
Feb 3, 2012 9:21:09 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 3, 2012 9:21:09 GMT
I would say definitely do it, the birds need to drink. They will find water in flowing rivers and streams but for some that means traveling quite a distance using up valuable energy.
I put fresh water out during cold spells.
Think of it as a helping hand rather than interfering.
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Water
Feb 3, 2012 9:27:10 GMT
Post by Cherry on Feb 3, 2012 9:27:10 GMT
That is right WF. I have done the birds' water before saying good morning to you. The dykes here are frozen and we have had no rain for a long time, so what would the birds do here?
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Water
Feb 3, 2012 20:12:57 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 3, 2012 20:12:57 GMT
A 'helping hand' it will be then, I'll wire it up in the morning.
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Water
Feb 3, 2012 20:27:20 GMT
Post by Cherry on Feb 3, 2012 20:27:20 GMT
Merlin, you really will notice the birds thanking you. There will be a lot more activity in your garden.
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 7:21:28 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 4, 2012 7:21:28 GMT
The water is frozen at the moment, It's still dark but Mr Robin is sitting looking at it wondering hen I'm going to switch ithe heater on. Have you noticed that Robins forage in the dark?
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 8:42:49 GMT
Post by Lou78W on Feb 4, 2012 8:42:49 GMT
No can't say I've noticed Merlin..too dark to see......
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 10:00:30 GMT
Post by peony on Feb 4, 2012 10:00:30 GMT
The water is frozen at the moment, It's still dark but Mr Robin is sitting looking at it wondering hen I'm going to switch ithe heater on. Have you noticed that Robins forage in the dark? Yes I have Merlin, the Robins are always the first birds on the bird table  They sing when its dark too. |
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 10:16:39 GMT
Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 4, 2012 10:16:39 GMT
I put out fresh water and food this morning, it was the water the birds went for first.
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 10:36:56 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 4, 2012 10:36:56 GMT
It wouldn't stay ice-free for long here, the ice on the pond is now 2"
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 10:42:04 GMT
Post by merlin on Feb 4, 2012 10:42:04 GMT
I've disguised the heater/wire so not to scare them.  |
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 10:53:03 GMT
Post by lesley on Feb 4, 2012 10:53:03 GMT
Good idear Merlin, I've just fed and watered my birds it seems never ending i love watching them fliting about. ;D
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 11:29:33 GMT
Post by SueA on Feb 4, 2012 11:29:33 GMT
I had to bang out solid ice from our birdbath/water dish today, frozen solid again.
The lady blackbird usually jumps in & has a bath when I've done it! ;D
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 12:13:11 GMT
Post by peony on Feb 4, 2012 12:13:11 GMT
I had to bang out solid ice from our birdbath/water dish today, frozen solid again. The lady blackbird usually jumps in & has a bath when I've done it! ;D I had to do the same Sue. I've got three blocks of ice sitting on the patio now, it hasn't warmed up enough in the last few days to melt them  Its still -2 degrees here. |
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Water
Feb 4, 2012 13:47:08 GMT
Post by lesley on Feb 4, 2012 13:47:08 GMT
I had to bang out solid ice from our birdbath/water dish today, frozen solid again. The lady blackbird usually jumps in & has a bath when I've done it! ;D I had to do the same Sue. I've got three blocks of ice sitting on the patio now, it hasn't warmed up enough in the last few days to melt them Its still -2 degrees here. I remember reading some were if you empty bird baths late afterrnoon you dont have this problem Peony, it's remembering to do it. |
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They sing when its dark too.
Its still -2 degrees here.
