The older one gets, the more enamoured one becomes with gardens.
Ten years ago, you couldn’t pay me to trudge around a garden centre for boring outdoor necessities like soil or sprinklers.
Today, I’d be willing to pay a small fortune for a high-end landscaper if I had the privilege of owning a full garden (I’m making do with just a balcony in a rented flat for now) and would pay more still to visit the storied fairytale gardens attached to old aristocratic estates in the English countryside and beyond. Garden centres have shifted from purgatorial to Edenic.
Trestles entwined with aromatic roses enthral me, and the prospect of cultivating herbs on my windowsill fills me with the kind of unadulterated joy which tells me that I am, in fact, a fully-grown adult now. Nothing speaks to my increasingly mature demeanour more, however, than my newfound love for birdwatching.
If you find yourself in the same position as me – that is, in Wordsworthian adoration of the natural world, and with a borderline obsession with spotting wildlife in the big city – you’re in the right place. Aside from bird feeders, the best way to attract new feathered friends to outdoor spaces is by investing in a solar-powered bird bath.
Far more accessible than those which require plumbing, solar bird baths are also more environmentally friendly. You can pop them on timers, and they operate on a self-fulfilling cycle – charging up during sunny weather and providing an essential source of drinking water and a place to bathe throughout the year.
Hydration aside, bathing is more important for birds than you might think. According to the RSPB, bird baths ensure our avian friends can loosen the dirt between their feathers, which makes them easier to preen. Bird baths are also particularly important in the winter, as many local water sources freeze over. Solar-powered bird baths still work during those colder months, but may require some additional help in the form of additional solar-powered heaters.
Keep scrolling for a selection of the best solar-powered bird baths on the market.
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Birdfy Smart Bird Bath with Camera
For a high-tech option, look no further than Birdfy’s innovative, solar-powered feeder and bath hybrid. Though it won’t exactly seamlessly blend into your horticultural surroundings, once the birds in your area get used to it, they won’t want to leave.
The device is equipped with an integrated smart camera for real-time viewing in 2K, as well as a built-in rechargeable battery and solar panel for all types of weather. The solar-powered fountain also has five interchangeable nozzles, which create fascinating patterns to attract avian amigos.
Buy now £399.99, Amazon
VIVOHOME Bird Bath Feeder
Brilliantly sensitive to sunlight without the need for a separate battery, rust and water resistant and non-toxic to boot, this is a great value solar bird bath for smaller spaces.
One Amazon customer praised this fountain and feeder combination from VIVOHOME, writing that it “Looks great, very easy to put together, solar panel can float in the water, very good value.”
Informative and succinct, just how we like it.
Buy now £62.99, Amazon
Primrose Umbrella Solar Bird Bath Water Fountain
Crafted from lightweight but durable polyresin, this pretty solar fountain from Primrose nevertheless looks like solid, pricey heritage stone.
Whether you’re looking to entice local wildlife or simply enjoy the delicate sound of running water while you relax outdoors, the fountain is sure to bring a sense of zen to your space.
Though easy to install since it's solar-powered, Primrose has dedicated set-up guides for your perusal.
Buy now £159.99, Primrose
SA Products Solar Bird Bath
Energy-saving, made to last and suitable for all weather conditions, we love the vintage charm that this brassy bird bath exudes. One Amazon customer described the petite bath as a “fantastic little find” and appreciated the multiple nozzle styles available despite the low price point. Another has already purchased the bird bath for “three other people”. Now that’s a seal of approval.
Buy now £29.95, Amazon
Denny Shop Solar Powered Bird Bath Bowl
We’re big fans of the artificial patina effect on this layered bird bath, which would look perfect in a not-so-secret garden. It comes with an integrated feeding system, is weather-resistant, and easy to assemble. It also has a plant cup for potting your favourite perennials, which might also work to attract other winged beasts of the pollinating variety.
Buy now £21.97, Amazon
Primrose Solar Ceramic Fish Fountain Outdoor Decor by Smart Garden
This adorable, solar-powered ceramic bird bath features a delightful fish-shaped spout. Beautiful to look at and sure to attract brilliant birds, it should be placed in direct sunlight in order for the solar panel to generate enough power to activate the integrated low-voltage pump.
Great for those with pets who might topple a standing bird bath.
Buy now £89.99, Amazon
Festive Lights Solar Pagoda Water Feature
No, solar pagoda isn’t a cool post-punk band name, but a lovely Southeast Asian-inspired bird bath and fountain feature for bigger gardens. It’s made with weather-resistant resin with a delicate hand-painted finish and can be positioned anywhere that gets direct sunlight.
The low-voltage water pump works seamlessly to recirculate water from the pain reservoir.
Buy now £152.99, Festive Lights
Festive Lights Solar & Plug-in Blue Cascading Fountain LED Water Feature
One of Festive Lights’ best-selling water features, this multi-level, solar-powered delight can also function as a bird bath – especially if a series of feathered friends already visit your garden for a birdfeeder. What sets this option apart from the rest is that the solar panel is helpfully fitted with a battery indicator to show when your fountain is fully charged, or when it requires a little extra time in the sunshine.
Buy now £179.99, Festive Lights
