To Kill a Mockingbird...Or Two

We acquired with the house a small, backyard fountain that Bobby and I recently cleaned and got into working order. We scrubbed off the algae, rearranged the rocks around the edge, and have since been enjoying the gentle sound of running water as we sit on the patio in the evenings.

We also have a birdbath elsewhere in the yard, but it's old and cracked and barely holds any water. We've been working on finding a replacement.

Now we're working faster.

Because yesterday I discovered that our fountain is a murderous trap for our backyard wildlife. There were two dead birds floating in the water yesterday, and this is on top of the toad that was belly-up in there a week or so ago. (The amphibian I can understand. How the poor birds managed to get themselves killed, I don't know.)

The point is, it was rather tragic to discover that what we thought was a pleasant addition to our landscaping is instead a deathtrap. Not exactly what we were going for. 

The long-term solution may have to be getting rid of the fountain. But, for now, Bobby will be removing the birds (I love you, dear!), we'll try adding some chlorine tablets, and you'd better believe that I'll be monitoring the water supply in the real birdbath more closely.

Good grief.