Upcycle An Old Stool Into A Bird Bath They'll Enjoy
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Do you have an old stool that you really don't love but are not ready to dump? Perhaps you have a thrifted piece that you bought on a tight budget, but it now looks drab. Or, maybe it was a new purchase that ended up not being a right fit for your living room. You can breathe new life into it by upcycling it into a bird bath. Having a place where the avians can come to get a drink as they wash up is one of the ways to attract a more diverse variety of birds to your yard.
Unlike ordinary and often costly store-bought bird baths, this simple DIY option is inexpensive and can be easily customized to create a unique setup. Further, it's easy to build even if you're a beginner DIYer. You'll basically attach a wide serving bowl on top of the old stool, then include simple additions that'll make the bath even more attractive to your feathered friends. And the best part is that you'll also end up with a dynamic ornament that'll beautify your outdoors.
Gather your supplies and turn an old stool into a bird bath
To nail this DIY project right, begin by gathering the right materials. First, take out that old stool from storage. It may be old but it should be intact and not broken because this is what will hold up the bath bowl. If you don't have any, you can grab Assorted Stackable Stools at Dollar Tree for only $5. Next is the bowl or basin. When selecting this, consider one of the best materials for a durable bird bath that will last such as copper, cast iron, ceramic, or stainless steel. The ideal depth of your bowl should be 1 inch to accommodate small birds. And if you want to entertain larger birds, go for a depth of 2 inches. The best option would be a bowl with gradual sloping sides to accommodate feathered friends of varied sizes.
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Now it's time to glue together your stool base and the bowl. You want to prepare the surfaces to ensure a stronger bond. Begin by cleaning both the stool and the bowl or basin. Next, create abrasion by sanding the stool surface and the bottom exterior of the bowl using sand paper. This rough texture means your adhesive will have increased surface area to stick to and create a firm grip. Apply the adhesive to both rough surfaces, then stick them together. After that, place a heavy item over the bowl and leave them to bond properly for at least 24 hours.
Set up your bird bath so it attracts more birds
Now that your raised bird bath is ready, all that's left to do is fill it up with water, no deeper than 2 inches in the middle of the bowl. Then, to add more visual appeal, you can turn this bath into a fountain by placing a solar fountain pump at the center. You can get this Floating Solar Powered Water Fountain Pump for Bird Baths for about $10. There are positives of having a fountain in your bird bath, including keeping the water fresher and cleaner for longer. Besides that, the constant movement of water mimics the sounds of a natural water source, creating a tranquil environment for both you and your winged visitors.
You also want to drop in a few rocks and pebbles in the water-filled bowl to provide perches for the birds. If you want to attract even more birds, create another similar stool-and-bowl stand, and instead of using it as a bird bath, turn it into a feeder by adding a variety of seed to it. These feathered friends are more likely to visit if your location offers both food and drink so they can satisfy all their needs in one seating.
Finally, the location of your bird bath matters a great deal. The perfect spot in your yard is one where birds will see it easily and know it's available. Place it close to a bush or tree, which will offer a safe shelter for the birds, but not too close that they risk being attacked by predators lurking nearby.