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Monday, February 6, 2012
Creating Shelters for Wildlife
Creating shelters for wildlife can be really fun, and easy too. National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) requirements for a certified wildlife habitat are food sources, water sources, shelter, and places to raise young.
When you are planning to attract wildlife you may often accomplish more than one requirement at once as well. Consider this “feeding two birds with one hand” (this is a more positive version of another common saying you may have heard). Some examples are using evergreens with berries, like Junipers, in your plan. With this example you have provided potential food, shelter and a place to raise young.
What else comes to mind when you consider offering shelter for wildlife? Do you think of a fancy birdhouse? There are also other types of “houses” that you can use in your space like bee houses and bat houses. You can buy these already constructed or if you are feeling crafty you can find many ways to make them yourself online.
Instructions for making a bee house from NWF to attract pollinators like mason bees are here: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Build-a-Bee-House.aspx
I have noticed that the gift shop at Cox Arboretum MetroPark sometimes has bird and bat houses available, and some are even made by volunteer woodworkers! The proceeds from the gift shop benefit the Cox Arboretum Foundation which helps to support education programs and development at the arboretum.
Another way to make a shelter is to build one out of sticks in the yard. It can be especially fun with kids, and kids at heart, who will be able to practice their fort building skills. Birds, mammals and even native lizards are some that may appreciate your efforts. Be aware of any ordinances against brush piles and think about the position of the shelter if you don’t want to have to move it later since things like sunshine, wind and puddles can affect how desirable your shelter will be for wildlife.
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Water for Wildlife
Don’t forget about water when you want to invite wildlife into an area. National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) requirements for a certified wildlife habitat are food sources, water sources, shelter, and places to raise young. To continue the promotion of these kinds of spaces, I want to remind you to provide the essential element of water.
The way you offer a drink will contribute to what visits your site. Do you want to attract birds, butterflies, frogs, or deer? I think simplest way to virtually guarantee visitors is a “bird bath” that can be refilled with fresh water every few days in warm weather to avoid breeding mosquitoes. In the winter some people use heated bird baths or fountains with continuously running water. If you keep your bird bath out over winter and it isn’t heated you can also keep it in a sunnier spot so that the water will thaw on warmer days. Of course, you can also add a pond or a moist location for butterflies to gather minerals, depending on the space available.
To link to NWF’s site for more about water for wildlife you can visit http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Create-a-Habitat/Supply-Water-for-Wildlife.aspx
Miami Valley Gardening Conference
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