Our fussy well won't permit watering of any kind, but I can add a few  
antics at our pedestal fountain to the mix.  During the hottest summer  
weather, American Goldfinches line the rim, dipping in and out, or  
cling to the side of the pineapple form where water bubbles forth on  
top.  American Robins seem to think it's their personal "bidet",  
standing and straddling the top and letting the water course beneath  
their- ahem- privates.  Ruby-throated Hummingbirds also cling to the  
top, dipping their heads into the flowing water then shaking it all  
over themselves in apparent ecstasy.  But one of the more fascinating  
events occurred when three of our resident American Crows stopped by  
for a visit.  One adult perched on top of the nearby shed, closely  
watching as two others (an adult and juvenile) landed on opposite  
sides of the fountain rim.  Slowly they walked along, maintaining  
their opposite distance, looking for all the world like the start of a  
tango.  The adult then dipped it's head in the bowl, and the juvenile  
mimicked it.  Then the lead Crow slowly got into the water filled  
bowl- looking quite uncomfortably wedged in, I must say- ruffled it's  
feathers and climbed out again.  Cautiously, the other Crow did the  
same.  Meanwhile, the adult on the shed was leaning forward from it's  
rooftop perch, turning it's head from side to side, intently watching  
their performance.  After another slow walk around the rim, all three  
flew off.  This is the only time I've ever seen Crows at the fountain.

On Aug 27, 2012, at 6:29 AM, Mona Bearor wrote:

> I can add House Finch and Northern Cardinal to your list of birds  
> that enjoy
> the late-day watering I do on my gardens.  My fan-type oscillating  
> sprinkler
> puts out a lot of water, but the birds have all learned to park in the
> hawthorn tree and bathe in the water that drips from the leaves. I  
> have to
> admit that we have allowed the birds a bath on days that we didn't  
> need to
> water the garden!
> Mona Bearor
> So. Glens Falls, NY
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vermont Birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ian A.  
> Worley
> Sent: Monday, August 27, 2012 5:41 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [VTBIRD] Sprinkler birds
>
> These persistent days of searing sun, arid humidity, and bone dry  
> soils
> means lots of watering of perennial flower beds at our house in the  
> driest
> part of the Champlain Valley.
>
> Of late, when I use a mist-spray waterer in the gardens, in the heat  
> of the
> day numerous birds have been congregating in the mist.  Some just  
> sit on the
> ground in the mist, others on branches.  Chipping and Song Sparrows  
> spend
> time on shrub branches constantly fluffing their soaked feathers,  
> flapping
> their wings, and preening as they might in a puddle
> bathing.   The Hummingbirds fly through the mist, and also sit on wet
> twigs appearing to drink from droplets.  Downy Woodpeckers just park  
> on the
> bark of a tree, soaking.
>
> So far these species have regularly availed themselves of the mist
> sprinkler:
>
> American Robin
> Eastern Wood Pewee
> Eastern Phoebe
> Chipping Sparrow
> Song Sparrow
> Downy Woodpecker
> Ruby-throated Hummingbird
> White-breasted Nuthatch
> House Sparrow
>
> Ian
> Southern end of Snake Mountain, Cornwall