Gardeners urged to make 1p addition to birdbaths to support birds this summer
Keen gardeners love the sight and sound of the variety of birds that bring their outdoor spaces to life. There are various inexpensive ways to attract them.
Even better news? The latest suggestion is as cost-effective as it gets and costs just a penny. The feathered companions are fond of birdbaths, which have proven to be an essential resource for the animals during recent heatwaves that have hit the UK.
Despite recently having a break in the weather with some rainfall, many gardens are yet to regain their lush green colour. The heatwave has also impacted wildlife, making the need for clean water crucial.
Scotland has officially had the sunniest spring on record with a blazing 520.5 hours of sunshine. And the unseasonal lack of rain has meant birds are struggling for water sources.
Even if you don't already have a birdbath in your garden, not only can it be a gorgeous statement to any green space, but it's very straight-forward to set up. It can be a lifesaver for birds in hot conditions, with them lacking sweat glands resulting in it being harder for them to cool down in hotter climates.
In severe cases, heat stress can lead to illness, confusion, and even death, reports Chronicle Live. Even with more rain forecast, birdbaths offer birds not only a place to drink but also a chance to thoroughly clean themselves.
The latest tip for birdbaths helps to ensure a clean environment for them, and keeping it looking sparkly clean too. As July approaches, birdbaths can start to look slightly grimy, but simply dropping a penny into the water could make all the difference.
Bird enthusiast Rocky Trifari, owner of The Rocky Safari blog, has shared a tip on how a 1p coin can keep a birdbath clean. He explained that it's the copper in the coin that does the trick.
"Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on," he said.
"When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths."
However, it is advised to give the pennies a thorough clean before placing them in the birdbath. It's also crucial to use natural methods to avoid harming birds.
Avian nutrition specialist Monika Sangar warned: "Birds drink and bathe in bird bath water so prolonged or excessive exposure to dissolved copper could pose a health risk, especially to small species.
"For this reason, it's best to only use a few coins at maximum in a larger bath and to always clean the bath in addition to using this hack. Adding fresh water daily for your birds is a must too."
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Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Daily Record
Gardeners urged to make 1p addition to birdbaths to support birds this summer
Birds love a birdbath and with the recent heatwaves they have proved a vital resource for many, but there's a simple addition that will keep it clean and looking good. Keen gardeners love the sight and sound of the variety of birds that bring their outdoor spaces to life. There are various inexpensive ways to attract them. Even better news? The latest suggestion is as cost-effective as it gets and costs just a penny. The feathered companions are fond of birdbaths, which have proven to be an essential resource for the animals during recent heatwaves that have hit the UK. Despite recently having a break in the weather with some rainfall, many gardens are yet to regain their lush green colour. The heatwave has also impacted wildlife, making the need for clean water crucial. Scotland has officially had the sunniest spring on record with a blazing 520.5 hours of sunshine. And the unseasonal lack of rain has meant birds are struggling for water sources. Even if you don't already have a birdbath in your garden, not only can it be a gorgeous statement to any green space, but it's very straight-forward to set up. It can be a lifesaver for birds in hot conditions, with them lacking sweat glands resulting in it being harder for them to cool down in hotter climates. In severe cases, heat stress can lead to illness, confusion, and even death, reports Chronicle Live. Even with more rain forecast, birdbaths offer birds not only a place to drink but also a chance to thoroughly clean themselves. The latest tip for birdbaths helps to ensure a clean environment for them, and keeping it looking sparkly clean too. As July approaches, birdbaths can start to look slightly grimy, but simply dropping a penny into the water could make all the difference. Bird enthusiast Rocky Trifari, owner of The Rocky Safari blog, has shared a tip on how a 1p coin can keep a birdbath clean. He explained that it's the copper in the coin that does the trick. "Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on," he said. "When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths." However, it is advised to give the pennies a thorough clean before placing them in the birdbath. It's also crucial to use natural methods to avoid harming birds. Avian nutrition specialist Monika Sangar warned: "Birds drink and bathe in bird bath water so prolonged or excessive exposure to dissolved copper could pose a health risk, especially to small species. "For this reason, it's best to only use a few coins at maximum in a larger bath and to always clean the bath in addition to using this hack. Adding fresh water daily for your birds is a must too."
North Wales Live
19-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Simple birdbath hack to support robins and blackbirds in your garden
Garden enthusiasts relish the sight and sound of a variety of birds that add vitality to their outdoor spaces, and there are numerous cost-effective ways to attract these feathered visitors. The latest suggestion is as economical as it gets - costing just a penny. Birdbaths are a favourite among our avian friends, and during recent heatwaves, they have served as crucial sources of hydration. We've previously offered advice on maintaining gardens during hot, dry spells - and despite some rainfall, many lawns are yet to regain their lush green appearance. The heatwave has also impacted wildlife, making the provision of clean water indispensable. As we've reported before, setting up a birdbath is straightforward if you don't already have one, and it can be a lifesaver for birds during sweltering weather. Birds lack sweat glands, which makes cooling down more challenging for them. In severe cases, heat stress can lead to illness, confusion, and even fatality, reports Chronicle Live. Even with more rain forecasted, birdbaths offer birds not only a place to drink but also a spot to thoroughly cleanse themselves. The latest tip focuses on maintaining a clean environment for the birds - while also keeping it visually appealing. By July, birdbaths can start to look a bit grimy, but simply adding a penny to the water could make all the difference, according to The Express. Bird lover Rocky Trifari, who runs The Rocky Safari blog, has shared a clever tip for keeping birdbaths clean by placing a 1p coin in the water. He explains that it's the copper content in the coin that works wonders: "Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on," he remarked. He further elaborated on the science behind it: "When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths." However, it's advised to give the coins a thorough scrub before adding them to the birdbath. Using natural methods is crucial to ensure the safety of birds. Avian nutrition expert Monika Sangar also commented on the matter: "Birds drink and bathe in bird bath water so prolonged or excessive exposure to dissolved copper could pose a health risk, especially to small species." She added a word of caution: "For this reason, it's best to only use a few coins at maximum in a larger bath and to always clean the bath in addition to using this hack. Adding fresh water daily for your birds is a must too."
The Sun
06-06-2025
- The Sun
Gardeners are being urged to put a penny in their bird bath this summer for important reason
PLACING a penny in your bird bath can have an unexpected benefit this summer. This simple and extremely cheap step can help to transform your garden decor, and help attract more birds. 2 As well as serving as a stylish feature, bird baths have a positive impact on your outdoor space. They attract birds to your garden, helping to control the amount of insects in your flowerbeds. However, they also tend to become a breeding ground for algae. But according to experts, there is a quick trick which can solve this problem, and there's no scrubbing involved.. The solution is also extremely cost-effective, as all you need is one penny. According to the experts at Homes and Gardens, throwing a penny into your bird bath can help to ward off algae. "The copper present in pre-1982 one or two-penny coins triggers a chemical reaction in your bird bath's water," the pros explained. They continued on to say that this "acts to naturally fend off the development of algae". Rocky Trifari, a bird enthusiast and owner of The Rocky Safari, spoke to the publication about the benefits of the hack. "Copper is a natural biocide with properties that interfere with the biological processes algae and other microorganisms rely on," the expert said. I hate my new build garden being overlooked so found a 5 METRE privacy fence to block out nosy neighbours for under £30 "When copper ions leach into the water, they promote an environment that discourages the growth of green algae, one of the main causes of that slimy, dirty water found in birdbaths." Make sure your pennies are free of rust or corrosion before adding them to your bird bath. Since birds drink and bathe in the water, prolonged exposure to these elements could cause health risks. While pennies won't act as a permanent solution to algae, they can definitely help reduce growth. What does the RSPB think? The organisation said: "Birds need water for drinking and bathing. "There are many ways of providing water in the garden, but the simplest? A bird bath. "Many people put food out for birds, but fewer provide a regular supply of clean water. Birds need water for drinking and bathing. "Bird baths are particularly important in weather extremes: During winter when natural supplies may be frozen, and in dry conditions such as hot summers with weeks of no rain. "But being small and enclosed, bird baths can easily become dirty and stagnant, and even dangerous, without regular cleaning. "Make sure you change the water in your bird bath daily and give bird baths a thorough clean once a week to help prevent the spread of disease." How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. Other cleaning hacks and gardening tips A £1 buy can also be used to transform your mouldy outdoor furniture. Alternatively, a kitchen ingredient can also be used to scrub up your garden set. Another budget buy is also said to leave your outdoor garden set gleaming in time for summer. Or you can opt to clean your garden furniture in seconds with a DIY hack. And an 80p hack helps to lift stubborn algae from your garden surfaces. 2
