Marsh safe for birds- please read?

Question

a pot of ours has been outside for years, and over the years it has filled with water, decomposing leaves and some tiny insects that swim around in it.

we recently started feeding the birds, who have also started to drink from the large pot of sorts.

i was wondering---IS IT ok for the birds to drink from it?

thanks

please respond asap

Answer 1

The fitness of an aquatic ecosystem is usually impacted/harmed primarily by pollution, but an overabundance of nutrients will harm some species.  This happens when massive amounts of fertilizer from farms end up in streams.  Is there a 'buffer zone', or some sort of wooded area between the pond and a possible source of pollution?  In ecology, a buffer zone for a lake or stream often times consists of trees that essentially absorb pollution, chemicals, or excess nutrients before it can drain into that body of water.  The types of micro-invertebrates present in the body of water can usually determine how healthy the water is.  Overall, if there isn't any pollution present in the pond, and if the birds feel comfortable drinking from it, its probably safe.