MAKE A DUSTBIN LID BIRDBATH

A metal dustbin lid turned upside down offers the perfect shallow basin to allow birds to bathe, and is cheap and incredibly easy to make.

1. Choose an open area of the garden for your birdbath, not too close to cover so that cats can’t lie in ambush.

2. Lay out four bricks in a square. Balance the dustbin lid upside down on the bricks so it’s stable. Add some washed gravel to give birds more purchase when perching.

3. Fill it with water – tap water’s fine. Clean it out and top it up regularly in hot weather; throughout much of the year, the rain will fill it for you.