Water Gardening to Attract Wild Birds

We used five types of stones to complete the final project. Flagstone was used on the walkways and to edge the pond and biologic filter (which is virtually hidden to the right front edge of the pond). A block-shaped stone called Autumn Bloom (Arizona) was used to build the wall. Large rocks from the yard edge the creek and river rocks line the bottom of the creek. Pea gravel is used in the bird bathing pool at the bottom of the creek.

The features we included in the pond project:

a raised waterfall to provide water sounds to help attract birds
a level platform at the top of the waterfall for birds to drink at
a noisy flowing 15' creek bed with little pools of water for individual bird bathing and drinking - used by all sizes of birds
dead branches spanning three locations over the creek - used by warblers, kinglets, etc.
a shallow pool at the bottom of the creek - the water level varies from 1/4" to a few inches deep - this pool spills over into the pond creating more water noise
the goldfish and koi pond
water-level seating at the front edge of the pond for viewing fish
a biologic filter which spills water into the pond and creates the fourth source of water noise

In this next photo you can see the
large bird bathing pool (puddle the width of the creek)
at the bottom of the creek.

pond4

And here is one very wet cardinal using it.
pond5

During spring and fall migration, it is not surprising to see three warblers bathing next to cardinals, next to goldfinches, etc. in the creek portion while other species of warblers use the pool at the bottom of the creek. Vireos, yellow-billed cuckoos, kinglets, flycatchers, lots of orioles, buntings, etc. have been attracted to our creek. The best part is that they return again and again and are always followed by new birds.

Insects, caterpillars and clean water are always present during migration times and during the summer in our gardens. This is an irresistible combination for most wild birds.

Many creatures populate our pond area. Dragonflies and damselflies are always buzzing over the water. I had read that dragonflies will not use a pond with fish in it. Well, don't believe it. They hunt, mate and deposit offspring into the pond constantly. Frogs and toads (Gulf Coast toads) are often lurking in the shadows. Cricket frogs are frequently seen on the lilypads. The non-venomous (!) snakes are a delightful surprise whether we find them sunning or hunting.

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