uncover or leave covered dilemma

[mariane]

Every year when the spring rains start, our solid cover collects water and the birds turn it into a Roman bath and toilet.
Also in the past, ducks swim in the pool whether covered (when there is water in the cover) or uncovered. (Do regular birds swim/float or just ducks?) :lol:
Right now the water is still a huge ice block and temp is not much over freezing but thawing nicely. I assume the weather here will warm up eventually. I could start filling and then running the pump this April till its time for start-up in mid to late May.
Looking for people's opinions: leave cover on and have a terrible time cleaning bird dodo off, or uncover and skim wind-blown stuff out of the water till start-up in May?

 

[JasonLion]

I would leave the cover on for now and get an automatic cover pump so it doesn't stay full of water.

I like to open a little earlier than May, but not this early. A good rule of thumb is to open around the time the water gets to 50 degrees.

 

[mariane]

Thanks Jason. Here it might take a long time. Just had snow yesterday and 18 degrees last night.

 

[mariane]

The ice on the cover is removed and empty of water. That is till the rain starts. I hope the birds don't retaliate since the Roman Spa is closed.