Brown Jelly gunk in bird bath

twopenny

I've had this concrete/crushed stone bird bath for 20yrs in another property. The last 2yrs it's produced a brown jelly gunk attached to the sides of the bowl under the water. Assumed it was something bought in by frogs or birds but no matter how I clean it it comes back.

I also thought it might be my attempt at waterproofing with a plastic non toxic paint but having only white I used food colouring to change the colour (don't do it unless you want a laugh)

But then it appeared in a new little ceramic bowl I put out with water for the hedgehog so my theories are all to pot.

Would anyone know what it is? And How to stop it forming. The birds don't like it and neither do I.

NB just tried looking it up and it could be Red Algae but the way to clean is unclear. Both items are already in partial shade. And will this affect a small pond when I put one in.

I'd appreciate any experience

[Deleted User]

I have several birdbaths and they have all got this - all the time; i presume it to be a mixture of water mould and bird poop. 

I've never coated mine with anything so doubt it's where you did that, i just wash out the baths regularly but still it always returns.

Interestingly, it doesn't stop the pidgeons from sitting in them, despite their disgusting appearance 🤨

Davesnave

Our bird bath is so well-used it has no chance to get anything except an occasional smattering of red algae. If we fill it at 9am, it will be empty by midday. Even when rainy, like now, dozens of sparrows will make sure it doesn't fill up for long. We keep a tin bath pond as back-up.

Get slime mould on the ground nearby though!

DiggerUK

We had a similar clear jelly slime turn up on top of our stone mushrooms (staddlestones) a while back. It is a harmless algae I believe, we just washed it off with the hose. The spores don't seem to activate every season, but when they do, they soak up huge volumes of water. 

There are also about 150 similar forms of jelly fungus in europe which could be another suspect..._

For some reason I can't link the "Jelly Fungus" or "Jelly Algae" images. Cut and paste in to your browser..._

twopenny

My reply vanished! So apologies if this turns up twice.

Thanks folks. I was surprised it arrived in the small ceramic dish which was for the hedgehog. Seems that may have deceased as there was a very large one expired by the hedge nearby. No one uses anything nasty so maybe old age.

I read about vinegar and various chemicals, none takes my fancy.  I'll do as advised and just keep cleaning. So chuffed to go from zero wildlife to lots of all sorts in just a year that I want to get things right.