March 3rd is World Wildlife Day, a time to appreciate all the amazing and diverse wildlife living right in your backyard and beyond! Here in Connecticut, we are lucky to have such a beautiful array of animals! To attract some of this wildlife and keep them safe, make your property a place where they can live, eat, enjoy, and return to as they please. You’ll love seeing what animals stop by each day!
Take a look at these ideas to help make your backyard more wildlife-friendly:
Install a Bird Bath
Putting a birdbath in your backyard helps provide birds with a clean water source to drink and bathe in. You can buy a commercial birdbath to place on your property or make one yourself. Your birdbath can even be as simple as placing a frying pan outdoors; either way, the birds will appreciate it! A few essential tips for placing and preparing your birdbath include:
- Make sure the water is no more than 2 inches deep and is shallower along the edges. Add some stones to help birds see the depth of the water.
- Place the bath where it can receive an even mix of sun and shade throughout the day.
- Place the bath in an area near their natural habitat if predators are nearby, but not close enough that cats can quickly pounce on them from leaping off a tree.
Once completed, you’ll notice a wide variety of bird species will want to pay a visit! Be sure to change the water frequently, so it’s fresh and clean for the birds and doesn’t breed mosquitoes.
Identify the Trees, Shrubs, and Plants on Your Property
One important thing you can do to help your local wildlife is assess what types of plant life you have on your property, both native and non-native. Start by walking around your yard, looking at the tallest trees, and working your way down by size. Your most mature trees can help provide food and lots of space for shelter for various animals and should be protected. Flowering plants and other seed plants also provide food and shelter for wildlife and pollen and nectar for pollinators. Leaves, twigs, and bark can be consumed by insects, moose, deer, and rabbits. Overall, having a diverse array of plant life can help provide for a wide variety of animals, and native Connecticut plants are the best!
Avoid Using Pesticides and Rodenticides
You may have spent a lot of time and money trying to keep your lawn healthy and green, including chemical treatments over it. You may also utilize rodent poisons to keep them away from your home. Unfortunately, these pesticides and rodenticides have more effects than you may realize. They can kill plants, insects, and other animals that actually benefit your lawn and garden.
Add Nesting and Habitat Sites For Animals
Here are some ideas to make some natural habitat sites for some local animals:
- Make a brush pile – Gather some downed tree limbs, logs, branches, and sticks to make a pile that can provide animals such as rabbits, chipmunks, and sparrows with shelter.
- Add birdhouses or nesting boxes – When tree cavities aren’t available, various bird species can use these friendly items to shelter in. Be sure to add some comfortable nesting material such as wood chips or wood shavings to get them started.
- Add a bee nesting site – Connecticut is home to over 300 species of bees that help pollinate plants and are essential to cultivate some fruits and vegetables. Make a nesting site for them with a box and some nesting tubes.
Now that your yard is more wildlife-friendly, be sure to take the time to enjoy seeing all the unique and beautiful animals living outside of your home!
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