Here is a great example of how you do not need to break your budget while attracting birds to your yard. Putting out bird seed, suet and so forth and making a home feeding station brings in all sorts of feather friends, as can erecting nest boxes for specific species, creating a brush pile, allowing grass and flowers to grow for natural seeds and nectar, or giving them nest building materials like fur. However, even some just regularly provided clean water can do the trick, especially in times of extreme heat, drought, or frigid cold (if heated!). Here is little more than a plastic tray with fresh water that was very attractive to this migrant male Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus).
House Finch and Mourning Dove friends came over to enjoy some of it as well after they saw him splashing around.
You will be keeping the birds hydrated and clean all while allowing yourself a good view of species like the Towhee that you may not get to see very often.
Scott Kruitbosch
Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
