Roland writes:
It has become apparent that the water dishes are not satisfactory for the young birds bathing requirements, unfortunately in one of the most remote parts of Russia, where do you buy bird baths?
Fortunately for us in the apartment there happened to be five bucket lids, these upturned and with a few small stones placed in the bottom, have made lovely little baths just right for the young birds, will happily bath up to ten times a day no matter what the weather.
Liz writes:
This has been really important for helping the birds to develop the necessary feather waterproofing, and it was remarkable to see the improvement in feather condition within the space of a few days after these dishes were added.
Bath time - photo #1 (c) Liz Brown
Bath time - photo #2 (c) Liz Brown
Bath time - photo #3 (c) Liz Brown
Bath time - photo #4 (c) Liz Brown
Crikey! What a shock to see, not fluffy chicks, but feathered juvenile sandpipers.