Bridled titmouse drinking from a leaky tap. Source: davesnature.wordpress.com

Did you know that the sound of dripping water attracts birds to your garden?

If you have a garden faucet that leaks just a bit (if it leaks a lot, have it repaired!), place a rock or bird bath at its base so the drops make a “plop plop” sound and you will see many more birds visit your garden, first coming to investigate the sound, then to drink from the dripping water.

Home-made dripper made from a plastic bottle. Source: Ronda Kesterson-Bennett, http://www.pinterest.ca

Another option is to make a dripper from a plastic bottle (a 2-liter soft drink, for example). Pierce a tiny hole in the bottom with a hot needle, fill it with fresh water and hang the dripper from a tree over a bird bath. Now, set yourself down to watch the bird traffic! You’ll probably have to refill the bottle daily.