I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! I took a short break from updating the blog this spring, but I’m happy to say that I’m back. I had a few different ideas as to what I could write about for my first summer posting, but I’ve decided to settle on the bird bath.
Summertime is hot, so it’s a great time to observe birds frolicking in the water after a sun shower—or even a storm. Certain songbirds love bathing and getting their feathers a little wet. Specifically, the robin comes to mind when I think about birds who will be attracted by a small bird bath in the yard.
One bird I recently observed bathing this summer was the chipping sparrow. I watched the little red capped fellow and a mate splash around in a shallow puddle after a recent thunderstorm. I enjoyed watching them play, especially because I didn’t know this type of bird enjoyed a quick dip. Their counterparts, the house sparrow, are usually found dust bathing to help with their somewhat oily feathers. It made me wonder, do house sparrows enjoy the water too? I’ll be paying extra special attention to the puddles this summer to find out!
Nicolette Harpford 