How to Build a Bird Pond

Building a bird pond is not only an attractive addition to any yard, but will provide wildlife a place to bathe and feed. Bird ponds yield moisture and areas of water that will attract insects and other very small animals that birds tend to naturally feed on. By creating a natural bird pond, entertainment will be provided for the family while yielding a safe and friendly place for local birds to settle in for a bit. Bird ponds can start as a simple pond and grow over time into something extraordinary.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope
  • Shovel
  • Sand
  • Plastic lining
  • Rocks
  • Hose
  • Pump and filter (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on where you want the pond to be located. Lay out the desired shape of the pond using a rope so you can easily see where you need to dig out the pond. This will work as the initial guideline and blueprint to your bird pond.

    • 2

      Start digging out the ground inside the rope that is laid out using a shovel. Ideally, the bird pond should be between 24 inches and 36 inches deep to allow for a diversity of plants or fish to live in it and create a more natural environment. If desired, you can dig deeper in certain areas to create tiers to accommodate different plant species. Be sure to stockpile all the dirt you dig up to be used for landscaping around the pond, and remove any rocks within the pond area.

    • 3

      Place about 1 inch of sand inside the excavated pond area. Be sure to dampen the sand as you are placing it within the area. This will help to prevent punctures in the plastic liner for the pond. Spread the plastic lining over the entire excavated area so it covers the bottom of the pond without too much stress. Place a few rocks around the edges of the liner to hold it in place when you start filling it with water.

    • 4

      Start filling the pond area with a water hose. If there are any creases or imperfections in the plastic lining, the weight of the water will smooth them out as the pond is getting filled. As the pond is getting fuller, remove the few rocks around the edges slowly in order for the plastic liner to conform to the entire area around the edges. By gently pulling and even walking around the top edges, you can ensure it will properly smooth out. Once the liner is smoothed out, you can place rocks around the edges again to securely hold it in place.

    • 5

      Install a pump and filter into the pond if desired. By installing a pump, movement will be added to the pond that not only is appealing but adds oxygen into the water. If you plan to build a small waterfall at some point in time, a pump will be needed in order to recirculate the water. Many pumps actually come with a built-in filter system to take care of both in the same package.

    • 6

      Allow the pond to sit for several days, as small amounts of chlorine and ammonia naturally occur in tap water, before adding any live plants or fish so these chemicals can evaporate. If you do not want to wait long, there are chemicals available safe to fish and plants that can be added to take chlorine and ammonia out of the water quickly. These chemicals can be found at most fish stores and simply neutralize the chlorine and ammonia that are present in tap water.