Swap Your Summer Birdbath For The Cutest Fall DIY

Watching birds frolic in summer birdbaths is one of life's greatest treasures. Though when the leaves start turning and piling up in the yard during the cooler months, your basin covered in flower petals and butterfly adornments can start feeling out of season. But just as you swap out your home decor with the seasons, such as Christmas decorations or a wreath on your door, you can update your yard's birdbath to match the approaching fall. Instagram gardener and birdwatcher robbieandgarygardeningeasy offered her take on how to do this. 

In this design, a plastic pumpkin Halloween bucket serves as the base for the charming DIY birdbath, with a jumbo straw as the water spout. It's powered by a solar fountain pump and built with a plastic funnel that serves as the water basin, creating a birdbath sure to add the right amount of fall flair to any yard. A silicone fidget toy serves as a ledge, and a zip tie secures the pump's nozzle to the straw spout in a criss-cross shape, allowing it to pull water from the surrounding funnel.

This low-cost bird bath idea is easy to put together and chances are you can have it up and running in 30 minutes or less. Solar fountain pumps are available on Amazon for as low as $10, such as this LAWOHO Solar Fountain Pump Kit with Separate Solar Panel. While on there, you can also find a similar fidget sensory toy like that used in the project. For example, the Mr. Pen Pop Fidget Sensory Toys is available for about $6. For this DIY you'll also need a pair of wire cutters (or tin snips). And make sure your funnel's spout is wide enough for the straw, and its mouth wide enough to rest on the bucket's rim.

The first step is removing any handles from the pumpkin bucket using your wire cutters or tin snips. Then, use them to cut a 1-inch U-shaped notch out of the bucket right at the rim. This is where the pump's cord for the separate solar panel will rest, as the panel must be placed outside the birdbath. Next, take a damp cloth or paper towel and wipe down the base of the pumpkin bucket. Then dry the area with a clean cloth. Next, use the damp cloth to slightly moisten the suction cups on the bottom of the water pump, then secure the pump inside the bucket. 

Dampening the suctions will ensure a tight fit, as these pumps tend to vibrate when in use. Make sure that the spout itself is centered at the bottom. Next, place the funnel inside the bucket with the stem facing down — it should sit right over the pump's spout. Secure the pump's separate nozzle attachment to the jumbo straw with your zip tie, creating a cross shape. Then thread the straw through the funnel, securing it onto the pump's spout. At this point, the design is mostly complete. 

The next step is to use your tin snips to poke a hole in the sensory toy and thread the straw through it. The toy is intended to serve as a ledge for visiting birds, so make sure it's securely attached and won't slide down the straw or tip under their weight. Once it's secure, add enough water for the pump to operate while keeping the bathing area shallow, then place the fountain somewhere sunny so it's ready to go.

This is just one of the many unique bird bath designs you can add to your yard, and it can even be upgraded to add more fall charm to your backyard. For example, consider adding some nice fall adornments to the outside of the pumpkin, such as faux leaves, pine cones, or artificial stems. Also, instead of keeping with the Halloween-themed color of the pumpkin bucket, try going with a muted sage, light brown, or another seasonal color to give the bird bath a more personal look — and one that doesn't scream "leftover trick-or-treat bucket". 

Incorporating a few fall-based stencil designs can also help to really bring the seasonal look of this bird bath home. Whether you're simply looking to add a new water feature to your yard for the fall or find a budget-friendly DIY to attract more birds, this idea is one worth looking into. And if you prefer a bit more pizzazz, a coat of bronze or a copper-colored paint on the exterior of the bucket may do the trick while adding more rustic charm to the design.