Easy Bird Bath

Made with twigs ‘n twine, and all things fine, this Bird Bath is a a real craft project for an arty gardener.

Bird baths are magical to have in the garden. In the heat of the summer weather it’s a pleasant reprieve for our fine-feathered friends to have a water source close at hand. Alternatively fill the saucer with stones or glass marbles then top with water so insects and bees have a safe landing pad while they quench their thirst.

The beauty of craft is the process of ‘doing’ and if you haven’t made a wooden raft lately, it’s a fun project! The branch-base is purely decorative and will organically breakdown over time, as with the twine. For a base to last many seasons you may wish to use repurpose a cane Christmas wreath and nestle the saucer within that, for a similar effect.

How to make a simple Bird Bath

You’ll need

pot plant saucer
small branches from the garden
garden twine
12mm rope
artificial flowers

Method

Step 1: Ensure the pot plant saucer is waterproof. Silicon seal any cracks, if necessary.

Step 2: Collect small branches from tree-fall that are of a similar thickness. If fresh wood, the lengths may need to be sawed to size. If old wood, the ends may be snapped to size. The more moss and lichen the better, although ensure the wood itself is not rotten.

Position branch off-cuts so they follow the curve of the saucer base. If necessary, mark and saw branches to size.

Arrange the branches horizontally so they form a ‘raft’ effect, then lay two additional branches across them vertically. Using garden twine, bind the horizontal branches to the vertical. Wrap several times over and tie off. It is helpful to do this one length at a time, allowing twine and fingers to easily get through the gaps.

Step 3: Flip the base over. Using artificial vines and flowers, weave the stalks between the branches around the perimeter of the base.

Step 4: Take four lengths of rope long enough to tie bird bath to a tree branch, to hang. Tie two ends together, repeat for remaining two lengths. Where the knots form, again tie together so there is one giant knot and four rope lengths.

Hang rope first in tree of choice, position raft base so ropes are equally dispersed around the base, adjust until level then place saucer in the centre. Fill with water and wait for the birds!