How to Make a Simple Bird Bath from Things You Already Have

Learning how to make a bird bath doesn’t have to involve buying anything new.

You don’t need an expensive bird bath to give garden birds somewhere to drink and splash about. Before buying anything, have a look around your garden or shed. An unused plant saucer and a sturdy old plant pot might be all you need.

At Wild Garden Life, ours is simply an upright plant pot with a shallow, watertight saucer resting securely on top. It’s a straightforward setup, but watching the birds use it has become one of our favourite parts of the garden.

Didge the Pidge has stopped by for a long drink, Rockin’ Robin has enjoyed a proper bath, and the sparrows often gather around it. Something so simple can bring plenty of little garden moments.

What you’ll need

• A wide, shallow, watertight plant saucer or suitable dish.
• A sturdy plant pot, if you want to raise the dish off the ground.
• Fresh water.
• A firm, level place to put it.

The idea is to use suitable things you already own. Your bird bath doesn’t need to look exactly like ours, and you don’t need matching pieces.

Choose a dish without drainage holes, cracks or sharp edges. It should be easy to lift, empty and clean. A shallow dish with gently sloping sides gives birds an easier way to approach the water.

How we made our bird bath

We placed our plant pot upright on firm, level ground and rested the saucer on its top rim. The pot raises the water off the ground, while the separate saucer makes emptying and cleaning it easy.

Our pot is about 32 cm across and the saucer about 36 cm across, but those measurements aren’t a shopping list. What matters is that your own pieces fit securely together.

Before adding water, press gently around the edge of the saucer. If it rocks, slips or could tip when a bird lands, try a different combination. Don’t balance a heavy dish on a narrow or unstable base.

Once everything is secure, add a shallow layer of fresh water. You don’t need to fill the saucer to the brim.

What if you haven’t got a spare plant pot?

You can still make a bird bath using a suitable shallow dish on a stable, level surface. The plant pot is simply how we support ours.

Have a look for an unused plant saucer or another wide, shallow container that holds water. Avoid anything with a slippery surface or steep sides that would make it difficult for birds to stand.

A clean, securely placed stone can provide an extra foothold, but start with a shallow container rather than trying to turn a deep bowl into a bird bath.

If you haven’t got anything suitable, compare the cost of a simple ready-made bird bath with buying separate parts. Making your own is especially worthwhile when you can reuse things you already have.

Where to put your bird bath

Choose somewhere birds have a clear view around them, away from places where a cat could hide immediately beside the bath. Nearby trees or shrubs can offer somewhere to retreat, but leave open space around the water.

Make sure you can easily reach it for cleaning and refilling. If possible, choose a spot you can see from the house too. Half the enjoyment is watching who turns up!

Give the birds time to discover it. They may need a while to feel comfortable using something new in the garden.

Keep the water fresh

A homemade bird bath needs the same care as a bought one. Replace the water daily, and sooner if it becomes dirty.

Clean and disinfect the bath weekly using a suitable product and following its instructions, then rinse thoroughly before refilling. Clean it more often if it gets heavily used or soiled.

The removable saucer is one of our favourite things about this setup. We can lift it off, empty it and clean it without moving the whole base.

For more guidance, see the RSPB’s advice on making a bird bath.

A small addition with plenty to watch

Our bird bath isn’t fancy, but it has become the setting for drinks, splashes and familiar visitors dropping by.

You don’t have to transform your whole garden at once. A suitable shallow dish, fresh water and regular cleaning are a simple place to start.

Have a look at what you already have. That forgotten plant saucer might have a new job waiting for it.

Have you made a bird bath from something you already owned? Tell us what you used…we’d love to hear about it.

Making a bird bath is one small way to help attract birds to your garden. Explore our guide on how to attract birds to your garden for more ideas.