Water for Wildlife

One of my readers suggested today’s PSA. Thank you, Richard.

As the temperatures heat up and water sources dry out, consider adding water sources to your yard. They can be really simple dishes or similar. Here are some ideas:

Some basic points to consider when adding water to your yard

• Unless you already have a stream on or next to your property, adding at least one water source will help wildlife.
• Make a commitment to keep any water source (except a pond) clean and refreshed or reconsider adding one. A dirty bird bath can do more harm than not having any water because it can spread disease and parasites.
• Cleaning the baths is fairly quick and easy – just spray with diluted vinegar (1 part vinegar to 9 parts water), wipe, then spray with a hose or rinse with additional water before adding the clean water for wildlife. If the baths are routinely cleaned at least once or twice a week, there is no need for scrubbing or anything stronger than the vinegar solution.
• In general, water sources need to be placed in a shady yet open area for protection from predators, but close enough to shrubs and trees for birds to have places for perching, preening, and escaping, and for other more grounded wildlife to feel safe getting a drink of water.
• Mosquitoes will not be a problem since water needs to be refreshed every two to four days, and every day when it’s hot or cold. If you think you need to add BTI mosquito dunks or bits to your bird bath, you are not changing out the water often enough.
• Offering water on the ground level is helpful for many birds and some critters such as squirrels, chipmunks, possums, and rabbits. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology birds prefer their baths on or near the ground because the baths mimic the fresh water puddles wild birds might use to bath in or drink from.
• For bird and small animals the water needs to be shallow – three inches or less deep. My water sources average one to two inches deep (except one).
• It’s hard to safely keeps cats away without also harming wildlife (e.g. physical deterrents such as spiky fabric will also impact wildlife), but there are multiple small ways to create a an unfriendly yard for cats. Some of the pinecones, twigs, and small branches I let stay where they drop (except in pathways and the driveway) I put around water or food sources to make them particularly rough hiding and resting spots for cats. Birds and other critters don’t mind this natural matter.

Hopefully, sharing the following information about the multiple kinds of water sources will generate ideas for your space (this is not my garden space, although I do keep some dishes with water in them):

0For further information, please see original source at: https://www.nurturenativenature.com/post/ways-to-add-water-for-wildlife-to-your-yard