I designed a wooden pavilion to cover the back patio and hired someone to build it. Using salvaged material, I made a large stone feeding plaza for the birds. I put seeds only in the middle of it, and its size enables birds to fly up to the nearby redbud tree before any stalking cat can leap at them. I sometimes throw a handful of corn on the plaza for the squirrels, especially during cold weather. The bath consists of a shallow hollow in a huge chunk of limestone that protrudes over the edge of the pond liner.
Water flows into the upper, wide end of the hollow and out the narrow end, dripping into the pond.
The pump is controlled by a timer so that the water flows from dawn until dark. The moving water coupled with the protection of the surrounding rock has proved irresistibly attractive to birds of all kinds. My goal for the front yard was not only to reestablish native plants and attract wildlife but also to develop landscaping that would enhance the appearance of my property. Physical features presented challenges that required professional help. The house is near the top of a hill in the middle of the block, facing north, with houses and large trees on either side, so that there is virtually no direct sunlight.