Are you making this common bird bath mistake in summer?
"Birds will only use it if they feel safe, so the placement of a bird bath is very important," says Helen Nyul, Group Head of Biodiversity at David Wilson Homes.
"Place a bird bath out of direct sunlight to prevent the water from becoming excessively hot and uncomfortable. This also slows any evaporation during the hotter summer months, allowing the water to last longer. Also, algae will not grow as quickly in cooler water, meaning that the bath will remain cleaner for longer."
The best place for a bird bath is in a shady, sheltered spot hidden from predators. Helen says birds can often be more vulnerable when they are bathing, so they will need a safe place where they feel protected.
"Birds will need to have clear visibility as they bathe to watch out for any predators, whilst also having nearby bushes or trees to provide cover and safety, if alarmed."
During the summer months, rinse out and replace water in your bird bath every day to remove a build-up of bird droppings, dead leaves, and other debris.
"Once a week, give the bath a more thorough clean, scrubbing it well to remove any build-up of algae and other dirt," adds Helen.
"You can use diluted household disinfectants or cleaners specifically formulated for bird baths, but be careful to rinse the bath out to remove any traces of chemicals."
You'll have plenty of garden visitors in no time.£18.99 at gardenwildlifedirect.co.uk£28.00 at rspb.org.uk£24.95 at sarahraven.com
You Might Also Like
Emma Bridgewater partners with Russell Hobbs to create stunning kitchen range
Everything you need to buy once and for all to eliminate single-use plastic from your life
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Princess Diana's favourite breakfast revealed by her former personal chef
Princess Diana's favourite breakfast has been revealed by her former personal chef. The tragic fitness-obsessed royal, killed almost 28 years ago in a Paris car smash aged 36, was fixated on having overnight oats almost every morning at Kensington Palace in the 1990s, long before the trend took over social media, according to her ex-cook Darren McGrady. He said in a YouTube video: 'She was now eating healthy – her go‑to breakfast was something called overnight oats.' Darren, 65, who served as a royal cook for Diana, the mother of Prince William and Prince Harry, and also explained the princess first discovered the meal on a trip to Switzerland during the early 1990s. He described how Diana began consuming the nutritious mix of oats soaked overnight in milk or juice, often with added fruits and nuts. He said: 'She was looking the best she ever did (during that period.)' Overnight oats, originally known as bircher muesli, were created by Swiss nutritionist Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher‑Benner in the early 20th century to provide patients with a healthy, convenient dish. Darren emphasised Diana brought the concept to Britain decades before it became mainstream. He added: 'Now today overnight oats is popular. Everybody is eating them but they date back to 2012… but Princess Diana was eating overnight oats almost 20 years earlier in 1993.' Darren described the recipe he prepared for Diana as using rolled oats – not 'quick oats' – which he said would be steeped overnight in fresh juice such as orange, then mixed in yoghurt for protein. A drizzle of raw honey was added for sweetness, and he would stir in blueberries, chopped walnuts, honey‑crisp apple, lemon juice and optionally chia seeds or other berries. Darren went on: 'The rolled oats in my opinion are the best. 'With the raw honey just do that to taste… If you like it really, really sweet then obviously put a little bit more in but not too much.' The chef also joked the highly nutritious dish was so good Diana requested it 'everyday' and that he would double the portion so that the palace kitchen staff could enjoy it too. He presented the dish in a glass tumbler garnished with juicy blueberries and crunchy walnuts, explaining: 'It's so much cheaper than buying it ready made at the store.' Nutrition experts have since praised overnight oats for lowering risks of diabetes and obesity and reducing cholesterol. Celebrities such as Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham have publicly championed the dish in recent years for its balance of taste and health.
Vogue
14 hours ago
- Vogue
Sportmax Resort 2026 Collection
Sportmax cuts through the Max Mara Group's polished offerings with a more daring, forward-pitched energy. While grounded in everyday function, the brand tries to push beyond convention—the tailoring is somehow experimental, silhouettes are skewed and amplified, materials researched with sharp intent. It's less about trends, more about friction: structure vs. fluidity, precision vs. instinct. The result echoes the sculptural intelligence of Phoebe Philo, the offbeat elegance of Dries van Noten, and the stealth luxury of The Row—a lexicon of style that's as thoughtful as it is visceral. The resort collection was built on tension—transparency clashed with sharp, constructed forms, and lightness was engineered. Lace was sculpted into assertive two-piece sets featuring wide, architectural trousers and boxy, square-cut tops. Polka-dot sarong dresses were twisted and cinched in instinctive, soft-sculptural gestures that molded to the body without constraint. Sleeveless jackets revealed backs gathered in graphic plissé, tethered by thin metallic straps that recalled industrial fastenings. Denim was given a sartorial edge, cut into voluminous banana-leg trousers and paired with shrunken, second-skin tops that clung with calibrated intent. Proportions were pushed to the extreme: round-leg cargos ballooned to almost surreal scale, trumpet flares erupted and pooled emphatically at the hem, and high-cuffed jeans brought a raw twist. The so-called Sleep-to-Street pieces delivered a softer yet grounded alternative: lace-encrusted slip dresses were layered over wide-leg, boyish trousers; languid pajama sets slyly subverted the classic power suit—feminine, but definitely not fragile.
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Forbes
Where You Can Live In Europe For $2K A Month (Or Less!)
A life on the beach in Europe is more affordable than you think... getty Think the only places to live on a shoestring budget are in Asia or Latin America? Think again. You can absolutely live in Europe for $2k a month—and in many places, you'll live not just a comfortable life, but maybe even a richer one than you live now. Whether you're a retiree living on Social Security, a digital nomad, or an expat, there are more options than ever to enjoy the European dream without draining your bank account. While big, capital cities or tourist-heavy hotspots can easily eat up your Social Security check—and then some—that's not always the case. Head farther east across the Continent or explore less well-known regions of Western and Southern Europe, and the good life can be fully accessible to those working with a smaller budget. Central and Eastern Europe offer some of the best quality-of-life-to-cost ratios on the continent. With reliable infrastructure, comprehensive public transportation networks, low crime rates, and affordable, high-quality health care the lesser-visited countries of Europe are just as well appointed as the traditional favorites. Plus, you can get EU residency in these countries, meaning all of Europe is at your fingertips. In Western Europe, little villages and rural regions—even in Portugal, Italy, Spain, and France—still offer an enviable lifestyle at prices that don't break the bank. And if you're willing to throw yourself into learning a new language you'll find the local corners that will slash your monthly bills. Dreaming of warm breezes through your window...? Morning strolls by the sea...? Historic, cobblestone towns centers...? Sipping wine, enjoying the view from your balcony...? Don't let budget concerns dictate your thinking. There are options for the good life in Europe on a tight budget. Here's where to live well in Europe for $2k a month or less, without sacrificing comfort or charm. Budapest, Hungary: Beauty On A Budget Cost Range: $1,200 to $1,800 per month $1,200 to $1,800 per month Why: Stylish city life at lower costs, excellent public transit Stylish city life at lower costs, excellent public transit Best For: Central Europe access, urban culture, expat professionals Budapest is probably Europe's best-value capital city, delivering the culture, and infrastructure of the best of Western Europe at a fraction of the cost. When you consider the quality of life, cosmopolitan feel, art, cafe culture, public transport system, and affordable housing, Budapest could easily be called the best bang-for-your-buck capital in Europe. Even in central neighborhoods like District VI or VII, you'll find small apartments for under $800. Even including utilities, groceries, health insurance, and entertainment, singles or couples can live well for under $1,800. Plus, Budapest is safe, mostly flat (therefore easily walkable or bikeable), and has a metro system that rivals the best in the world. A cultural powerhouse, boasting museums, opera, galleries, and all the rest of the entertainment that you'd expect from a first-class city—Budapest is fully on par with any other big city in Europe. But it's also got a vibe all its own, with thermal baths and ruin pubs being unique to the city, as well as coffeehouses, music venues, and a thriving LGBTQ+ scene that brings visitors from around the Continent. Budapest is an open-air museum, with stunning architecture that rivals that of Paris. Digital nomads love the fast Wi-Fi and co-working spaces, and retirees appreciate the affordable, high-quality health care and slow pace outside the tourist core. Although learning Hungarian would be a challenge, English is widely spoken, especially among younger locals. Plus, Hungary offers a low-cost residency pathway through long-stay visas for retirees or freelancers. Budapest is arguably the best "big city" in Europe live for under $2k a month—you get cosmopolitan living, great food, historic charm, and solid infrastructure, all without the price tag of Paris, Lisbon, or Barcelona. Greece: Affordable Aegean Cost Range: $1,000 to $1,700 per month $1,000 to $1,700 per month Why: Inexpensive housing, especially outside Athens or Santorini Inexpensive housing, especially outside Athens or Santorini Best For: Retirees, island lovers, history buffs Greece may be best known for its whitewashed islands and legendary ruins, but it's also one of the best-kept secrets for affordable living in the EU. Outside of over-saturated tourist favorites, like Santorini or Mykonos, you'll find that life on a Greek island (or the mainland) is easily affordable. Apartments or cottages—even those with sea views—typically rent for less than $800 a month. Do your homework and you could find a gem for $400. Greece is the quintessential Mediterranean vibe: year-round warm, sunny climate, relaxed pace of life, with stunning beaches, dreamy islands, and even mountain regions. The waters here are clear blue and warm year-round. Greek culture is heavily social, and locals are warm, welcoming, and eager to share their home with newcomers. It's not hard to find community here, whether local or expat. Life in a village, for example, revolves around the local taverna (restaurant), where people will sit for hours in the evenings, chatting with family and friends. The morning coffee ritual is likewise an institution that will help you integrate into your new home. There's also a growing infrastructure for remote workers, particularly in cities like Thessaloniki or on islands like Crete. Internet access is good, produce is cheap, and life is outdoorsy and healthy. Plus, the Mediterranean Diet, full of olive oil, seafood, fresh vegetables, and whole grains is proven to reduce health risks and promote weight loss. The country offers tax incentives to attract foreign pensioners and professionals, making it an increasingly viable long-term base for expats seeking a relaxed, low-cost European lifestyle. From cozy island homes to historic inland villages, Greece offers some of the best places to live in Europe for under $2,000 a month. Cyprus: Mediterranean Without The Markup Cost Range: $1,200 to $1,800 per month $1,200 to $1,800 per month Why: Low taxes, Mediterranean lifestyle, English widely spoken Low taxes, Mediterranean lifestyle, English widely spoken Best For: Retirees, digital nomads, sun lovers If you want to live beachfront on a budget, one of the best places to do so is in Cyprus, where you can easily you want to live for $2k a month or less. Although it's somewhat unknown to Americans, British and other Europeans have been coming to enjoy Cyprus' shores for over a century. The island has modern infrastructure, tax perks, and year-round sun—at a fraction of the cost of other Mediterranean destinations. A member of the EU with strong ties to the UK, Cyprus is one of the few countries where English is an official language—another reason it's one of the top choices in Europe for Americans. Even in the big cities like Larnaca, Paphos, or Limassol, rents for one-bed apartments typically range from $500 to $800, with plenty of options near the coast. The cost of utilities and groceries here are lower than in most of Western Europe—and without the need for heating, you can save quite a bit if you're able to minimize air conditioning. Health care is both affordable and high quality. Here, a slow-paced island lifestyle reigns supreme, and there's a strong café culture and vibrant food scene. The island is safe and family-friendly, and absolutely teeming with history. From Roman ruins to Byzantine monasteries, you won't want for sightseeing here. Retirees—of which there are many British already living here—appreciate the year-round summer, laid-back pace, tax benefits, and access to EU health care. Digital nomads enjoy co-working spaces, beach cafés, and an affordable-yet-developed lifestyle with 300+ days of sunshine a year. And despite being the ultimate beach destination, with some of the best scuba diving in the Med, Cyprus also offers hiking in the Troodos Mountains—even skiing in winter. Overall, Cyprus offers a blend of modern living and Mediterranean charm. It's especially appealing to expats who want the sea, the sun, and the comforts of Europe—without paying Western Europe prices. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Retiring Abroad On A Military Pension—3 Expat Havens For U.S. Veterans By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes 7 Countries In Europe It's Easy To Retire To By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes 4 European Countries With Lower Taxes For Expat Retirees By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes 3 Overseas Havens Where Retirees Can Live Rich On Social Security By Kathleen Peddicord Forbes Claiming Social Security Overseas: A Quick Guide For U.S. Citizens By Kathleen Peddicord
