Spring ushers in the return of flowers, trees and birds. Why not invite birds to come and visit you with a beautiful do-it-yourself bird bath? They're not just ornamental, but they also add charm and musicality to your garden with the birds that they attract. Here are several do-it-yourself bird bath suggestions for your garden.

Flowery Bird Bath

A wonderful combination of two ideas-a bird bath and a planter. This project is perfect for beginning crafters.

Recycled Lamp Bird Bath

You'll love how fast and easy it is to make this one. All it takes is a lamp, spray paint, some super glue, plus a few hours and a little creativity and you'll have a classy bird bath in no time.

Mosaic Bird Bath

This project may take several steps, but you'll be pleased with the results. Express your creativity by making mosaic patterns of your own. This also makes excellent personalized gifts for bird lover friends.

Leaf Bird Bath

This project will give you a bird bath shaped like a real leaf, although it may be a bit challenging for beginning crafters. It makes use of a technique called sand casting, which requires a steady hand and a lot of patience. But with a little trial and error, you'll be rewarded with a uniquely shaped bird bath.

Falling Pots Planter and Bird Bath

A little whimsical, but adorable, this project will add a touch of playfulness to your garden.

Some things to remember about your bird bath:

  • When choosing your basin for your bird bath, select one that has a rough surface like one made of concrete or stone with a gradual slope (about 3 inches deep) to allow the birds sure footing as they wade in. If using a smooth-surfaced basin, you can improve the traction by adding gravel in it.

  • Place your bird bath within easy flight distance of trees so they can flee easily if there are predators. If your bird bath is at ground level, make sure that it is not near hiding places for predators.

  • Clean and fill your bird bath regularly. Scrub it as needed to rid of algae and scrub it every 10 days with a 10% bleach solution to kill microorganisms that might be on the basin.