Simple DIY Water Feature

 Today is our Lead Birder's birthday!  

To celebrate, I'm sharing a special memory from earlier this summer.  I came into the kitchen where he was standing at the counter reading.  Based on the look in his eyes I thought he was going to ask for video game time, so I was surprised and delighted when it was a totally different desire that came out:  "We really need a water feature.  They say that is the biggest need and best way to attract birds to your yard."  He went on to describe what would attract the birds, and was especially animated at the thought of hummingbirds flying and splashing and playing through the drips.  He had a whole idea, so I gave him basic tips on what materials might work well based on what he was telling me and he went to work!  It was so much fun as a mom and Lead Learner to watch him take the lead and just go with this idea until it was physically manifested in front of our eyes.

Materials:

A extra large can (he used a coffee tin)

Something sharp to bore 3 holes in the coffee tin

strong string

Pencil

Duct tape

Garden hook

Some sort of shallow, sturdy dish to catch the drips.  We used a large plant saucer we had on hand.  

Start with a clean container.  Bore a hole toward the bottom and push the pencil through it so that most of the pencil is inside the can, with a half inch or so sticking out.  Use duct tape to seal up around the pencil if your hole was a bit big.  The point is for water to drip through, but not too quickly or you'll spend all your time refilling it.

Bore  two opposite holes on opposite sides at the top of the tin to loop yarn etc through so it will hang on the hook, a slight angle down on the pencil side is fine. 

Pick your location and set up your hook

(barefoot is not recommended- boots like little brother's work much better! Science lesson on Pressure: check!) 

It's not necessary, but it's always nice to have a guard dog stand watch while you work :) 

Once your apparatus is hung, fill it up with water 

 and watch it drip! 

Savor the moment.

 This tree is one of our favorites.  It used to have three large branches and be full of birds for us to watch right outside our window.  We lost one big branch two years ago, and a second this Spring during a big storm.  The third won't last long on its own, we will probably have to cut it down, which we are so sad about.  But for now, we are enjoying what we can!

 He took the wrapper off to give it a cleaner look.  Great, free idea, and good job making it happen, J! So glad we get to share life together!