Critters need water too!
Wildlife needs water to survive. Plentiful clean water is essential to the survival of our wild species of birds, butterflies, and small mammals during this time of severe drought. Small creatures don’t wander very far so they are not heading off for the lake in the hills for a drink. But you can help them with a few easy steps right at home.
If you have a birdbath, keep it clean and filled. During very hot days, a birdbath can become dry with all the visitors as well as natural evaporation from high temperatures. Check it mid-day and refill if necessary. Use cool water from your tap that you have saved while waiting for the tap water to warm.
Hang a “drip jug” over the birdbath. Take a milk jug, clean it, fill it with water, poke a tiny hole in the bottom and hang it over the birdbath. Birds are attracted to the sound of water and will come for a bath and drink.
Use a plant saucer on the ground to attract ground squirrels and other small mammals. They need water, too, and a small 14” to 16” saucer is the perfect depth for them and the birds.
Though we must cut back on our landscape watering, the water you do use benefits bees and butterflies who will drink the droplets of water off the leaves.
Help the hummingbirds by hanging up a hummingbird feeder. Use one part sugar to four parts water, heat in the microwave and stir to dissolve. When cool, refill your feeder.
In your garden, mulch will hold in moisture for your plants, and that will also benefit insects and invertebrates.
If you are considering removing your lawn, replace it with native California plants. These will survive with less water, can tolerate our hot summers, are better adapted to our soils, and do not require pesticides and fertilizers. California native plants benefit ten to fifty times the number of species of wildlife as non-native plants.
Give wildlife a drink! Saving Wildlife, Saves Us!
If you have a birdbath, keep it clean and filled. During very hot days, a birdbath can become dry with all the visitors as well as natural evaporation from high temperatures. Check it mid-day and refill if necessary. Use cool water from your tap that you have saved while waiting for the tap water to warm.
Hang a “drip jug” over the birdbath. Take a milk jug, clean it, fill it with water, poke a tiny hole in the bottom and hang it over the birdbath. Birds are attracted to the sound of water and will come for a bath and drink.
Use a plant saucer on the ground to attract ground squirrels and other small mammals. They need water, too, and a small 14” to 16” saucer is the perfect depth for them and the birds.
Though we must cut back on our landscape watering, the water you do use benefits bees and butterflies who will drink the droplets of water off the leaves.
Help the hummingbirds by hanging up a hummingbird feeder. Use one part sugar to four parts water, heat in the microwave and stir to dissolve. When cool, refill your feeder.
In your garden, mulch will hold in moisture for your plants, and that will also benefit insects and invertebrates.
If you are considering removing your lawn, replace it with native California plants. These will survive with less water, can tolerate our hot summers, are better adapted to our soils, and do not require pesticides and fertilizers. California native plants benefit ten to fifty times the number of species of wildlife as non-native plants.
Give wildlife a drink! Saving Wildlife, Saves Us!
