Helping Wildlife Through the Winter
by Jacob Henretta
From a human standpoint, winter is not completely distressing. Yes, it is cold and the roads can be dangerous, but in reality we have it easy. We are able to stay warm by the fireplace and eat as much comfort food as we please. The same does not apply for many of our furry friends that call the outdoors home. Running water is hard to find, many of their green food sources have lost leaves or have been covered completely by snow, and most of the ground is frozen, making it hard to find a warm, dry place to sleep. However, there are some steps we can take in order to help wildlife make it through the winter season.
Bird feeders are a great option for feeding many species of wildlife. Including black oil sunflower seeds, suet, peanuts, and finely chopped fruit to your feeders will ensure most bird species have something to eat throughout the cold months. Other animals such as skunks, opposums, and raccoons may also visit these feeders and clean up what the birds left behind. Planting natural food sources like American holly, Common juniper, and American crab apples is also an option. This type of feeding may take more effort at first, but will be rewarding in the long run.
Water is another resource that might be hard to acquire throughout the winter months. You can purchase a heated bird bowl or bath that will keep the water from freezing during the harsh winter conditions. You can even just place a normal bowl in the direct sunlight to keep it from freezing. If you are able to put this structure close to the water source, it will make your life easier and allow you to spend less time in the cold.
In order to help wildlife stay warm in the snow and ice, you can build or purchase nest boxes or covered platforms to scatter throughout your yard. Leaving your leaves and sticks in piles will allow for larger animals to have cover from the cold. Planting evergreen trees and shrubs on your property would be very helpful to smaller bird species as they provide great protection. These are just a few efforts humans can take to protect the wildlife in winter. Check out the sources below for even more information!
Where You Can Purchase These Resources:
Sources:
- https://humaneactionpennsylvania.org/winter-wildlife/
- https://www.wildcareoklahoma.org/uncategorized/helping-backyard-wildlife-during-the-winter/
- https://www.summerwindsnursery.com/ca/inspire/blog/help-your-local-wildlife-get-through-the-winter/
Photo Credits: Lexie Kauffman
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