Tall, elegant bird bath

Through spring and summer — and often well beyond — my workshop is busy with work creating birdbaths. They’re a joy to make, because I know the simple pleasure they bring: watching birds arrive one by one, settle on the rim, sip, flutter, and sometimes commit to an full splashing bathe. It’s a small bird-filled moment, and it never stops feeling magical.

Each birdbath I make is carved individually by hand in a beautiful, durable sandstone that weathers gently and sits naturally among planting. This most recent piece is tall and slender, its form pared back to clean, simple lines. The square bowl rests on a tapered, turned column, anchored by a solid square base. Every surface has been rubbed smooth, giving it a refined, contemporary feel that contrasts beautifully with foliage and flowerheads.

To bring a touch of character, I’ve sculpted two small birds to perch on the edge of the bowl. I keep moving them around — opposite sides, side by side, facing each other — and still can’t decide which arrangement I like best. There’s something quite lovely about placing them together, as if they’ve paused mid-conversation.

If you’re looking to bring water, movement and life into your garden, a birdbath has a wonderful way of doing so — not just as a feature, but as an invitation to wildlife and garden birds.