Provide fresh water for the birds and butterflies! This simple homemade water feeder takes just minutes to make and ensures butterflies, bees, and smaller birds have a clean water source.
You may already have everything you need to make this thrift shop project.
Love frugal outdoor projects? Make a bug house for your garden. It’s a beneficial insect habitat and garden art all in one.
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Build it and they will come
Sometimes the simplest ideas work best! Minutes after hanging up this water feeder, I saw a goldfinch and butterfly both stop by to check it out. Soon after a mourning dove gave it a try but soon realized she was better off at the pond.
If you have room in your garden, it’s ideal to spread out bird feeding stations to accommodate various sizes and temperaments of birds.
I have one area for hummingbirds (near the patio where I can watch them), feeders for the smaller birds (goldfinches are a favourite), feeders for the larger birds (cardinals, blue jays, plus all the ones I wish we didn’t have!), an oriole feeder (they tend to be very shy), and nut feeders for the woodpeckers.
I did not have the room at our old house to spread out the feeders and saw a lot of territorial battles. I feel lucky to be able to do this now. It really reduces the stress and distress between the birds.
My tiny garden pond is an essential water source for all of the garden wildlife (especially in the winter) but the larger birds tend to dominate there. I had a feeling a small water feeder would be appreciated by the smaller birds and I was right. Birds tends to be quite curious and it only took a minute for them to check out their new water station.
Here’s an easy way to make your own bird feeders: DIY Water Bottle Bird Feeders.
If you want to know more about the plants butterflies need for survival, see Are You Forgetting This Essential for Pollinators?
Grow
Keep It Clean
The one caveat is, just like bird feeders, you have to maintain cleanliness. Bird feeders (for food and water) should be washed regularly to avoid the spread of disease and prevent mosquito havens.
This post explains how to care for bird feeders. There’s no point in offering sustenance to our little buddies if it’s not safe.
DIY Bird & Butterfly Water Feeder Supplies
This is super simple. Some links go to my Amazon affiliate account but I always suggest checking your cupboards or local thrift shop first.
- Grape vine wreath
- Glass pie plate (choose one that sits snugly in your grape vine wreath)
- Twine
- River rocks or stones
Tips for Identifying Butterflies
Assembly
You could sit this feeder on a stand (an old birdbath, plant stand, or chair) or hang it from a tree branch or garden pole.
I cut 4 pieces of twine and tied each one around a section of the wreath. I joined all of the twine pieces together at the top and hung the whole thing from a branch.
The glass pie plate is filled with river rocks to give the visitors places to stand (without submerging in the water).
The plate is not attached so it’s easy to remove, wash, and refill each day.
As mentioned, if you have room, hang it in a location away from feeders and other busy bird hangouts.
Yes, it’s that easy.
Related: How to Hand-feed Wild Birds
Maintenance
- Wash the pie plate (and stones) and change the water regularly.
- The twine will probably need to be replaced once or twice a year, depending on wear and tear.
I hope you will make one. Mine is a favorite spot in the garden for plenty of birds, butterflies, and chipmunks.
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
I made this and, unfortunately, the only creature I’ve ever seen use it is the yellow jacket (and we have a very active garden). I’m quite conflicted about this because I know that they eat caterpillars (some I want to die, and some not) but I’m not thrilled about being hospitable to them, based on past experience. 🙂
On the bright site, my husband and I have enjoyed approaching our garage door, only to pause to watch one of these guys drinking… it really never occurred to us that they would need to do so. And, I’m not sure if it’s related or not, but we haven’t seen a single YJ on our patio this summer—they seem to be otherwise occupied. Anyway, it’s a super-cute addition to our garden! Thanks, Melissa, for the great idea.
Hi Amy, Do get a lot of birds normally? I’ve got mine hanging by the finch feeder and they use it all the time. If I may have a vote in this, I say it’s good to provide water for all the creatures great and small that live in the garden. 🙂
This is so perfect! And I like that it is so “natural” looking as opposed to some of the “other” type. I could make my dish from hypertufa and it would fit right in my garden…and patio…and deck….Gee, I better start making some shallow dishes.
Thank you for such a easy fit idea. Love the pebbles, look like you could get them from a brook. Grapevines are abudent here.
Can I add a little vinegar to keep the water cleaner a bit longer?
Hi Julie, No, just fresh, clean water is recommended. The vinegar could cause several problems with the wildlife plus, the odor may repel them.
Grapevine wreaths are a great source of crafting possibilities…
if you soak it in water and remove the wire you can unwound it a bit and make a bottom to support a plate or tray.
The wreaths can be strung out as a perch along a fence or larger ones can even create an arbor.
Have a lovely day….m.
This is beautiful! I came here from the new bird feeder post. This one I will definitely make.
Thank you, Sheryl. It ended up being so popular with the birds and butterflies. They really seem to like the size and height (hanging from a low branch).
This is such a gorgeous water feeder! I love that it’s meant to be hung. I have seen a lot of DIY bird feeders that look too kitschy, but I could definitely see this one in my garden. Thanks for sharing!
Mine is about 4 feet off the ground and for some reason the birds really like it. Thanks, Wendy!
I adore the simplicity of this project, Melissa. Thanks for sharing it on What’s Blooming This Week
weird, my comment was on the wrong post. still true though…
Thank you! I dig you too, Empress 🙂
Wow, I think even I can make this. I’m with you, I love to feed and water the birds and butterflies and bees, and anything else we can help. This is a super great idea, I wouldn’t have thought about rocks. Nice job.
Love the grapevine idea…
Hi Melissa,
I love this bird & butterfly watering station and am going to make it for my own garden.
Off topic a bit, I have a lot of pollinator perennials for honey bees but have noticed that the bee population has dropped significantly. I used to have bees buzzing all over my chive flowers but this year, I have only seen one or two. There is a bee hive near us in a field and I spoke to the bee keeper and she has told me that she lost one of her hives this past winter but is seeing comeback in her other one. Do you find the same where you are?
Regards and happy gardening,
Karen….:)
Hi Karen,
I certainly hear of hive problems all over North America but I have not noticed a decrease in bees in my own garden yet. I have, however, noticed a significant decline in monarch butterflies. A few years ago we would get hundreds of them per week. Now I just see perhaps a dozen or so.
Lets hope these problems are temporary!
Thanks for your note,
Melissa