How To Make A Winter Wildlife Habitat
How To Make A Winter Wildlife Habitat
Part of being a landscaper and gardener is having a deep connection with nature. We grow things from the earth that look beautiful and we also eat the things that we grow. When you create a garden, you also create a habitat for wildlife. Part of having a connection to nature is helping wildlife when the weather is less than hospitable.
In the spring nature lovers put out birdhouses for nesting places. In summer gardeners may put out bird baths to provide water for birds. Winter not only brings cold weather for birds and other wildlife but it also makes food harder to find. With a little ingenuity, you can make your garden and yard a habitat for wildlife in winter. Today we are going to talk about how to make a winter wildlife habitat.
The easiest thing you can do is put up a bird feeder. Use a variety of different seeds. You can also put out suet for birds such as woodpeckers and nutcrackers. Don’t forget the squirrels and chipmunks. Purchase a bag of peanuts for them to eat. The peanuts will likely keep the squirrels from raiding your bird feeder too. Throw some of the seed on the ground for birds such as Juncos that prefer to eat seed from the ground.
Though the weather is colder, it is also important to provide a source of fresh water for wildlife. A birdbath will do just fine. Animals need to stay hydrated during the winter as well and they might have a hard time getting access to water because their usual sources are frozen over. To keep the water in the birdbath drinkable, place the birdbath in a sunny spot so it can melt during the day.
To help wildlife seek shelter, gather dead branches and brush. Place them in piles around the yard where birds can huddle if the weather turns sour. Birds will very much appreciate the piles being placed close to their feeding source. You can also grow Evergreen trees which have thick branches that provide great cover for birds. Firewood can also be a great place for wildlife to take shelter. Stack the wood in a criss-cross pattern, this will make lots of nooks and crannies to hide in. Finally, securely prop up your old live tree so birds can use these. Just make sure its taken down before they build a nest in it or you’ll have to leave it there throughout the spring!
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