There's something so peaceful about watching birds in the garden. Our lives are so hectic these days it's good to take a bit of time out to watch nature go about its business. It's for this reason bird supplies such as peanut feeders and fat balls are so popular. What you need to remember however is that birds need water as well as food. This makes a solar powered bird bath fountains a perfect addition to any garden, plus it runs on the sun's solar energy which makes it more eco-friendly.

When birds have a regular source of food and water you'll find they come back everyday. Birds need a fresh supply of clean water to drink and wash in. It's not just in the summer that they need water either. They also need it in the winter when many sources of water are frozen. When buying a solar powered bird bath fountain make sure you look for one which has a heating element to prevent the water from freezing.

Solar panels can harness the energy from the sun and stores it, meaning you don't need mains electricity. With birdbath fountains you'll normally find a pump in the pedestal to circulate water which prevents bacteria and mold from forming. And in the bowl you'll find the solar panel which is needed for generating the power.

Apart from being environmentally friendly, using solar power gives you another advantage. Because no wires are required, you don't have to worry about power points or running cables about your garden. All you have to do is find the best position and that's it. However because it requires sunlight you shouldn't put it somewhere too shady, like under a tree. Also be aware of predators which could sit on a fence or branch and pounce on your little feathered friends.

One of the benefits of owning a birdbath fountain is the fact the water is circulating which helps with the hygiene. With other types of bath, the water can become stagnant and dirty. This can even encourage mosquitoes to breed which is something you obviously don't want to happen. Although hygiene is better with fountains you'll still need to clean it every so often. You might need to replace the solar panel in some years down the line or even remove it during the colder months.

Is there any wonder that solar powered bird baths are so popular? Not just for the birds using it but for us humans who enjoy watching them. Make sure you're consistent with your feeding and keeping the bath topped up with water so that the birds stay in your garden all year round.