3
or similar object – into the
ground so that the lip extends
up a couple of inches (to keep
dirt from washing in), you can
create an instant drinking pool.
Depending on its location,
this type of arrangement can
also attract reptiles and
amphibians, insects, and small
mammals. If you are striving for
a completely natural look,
consider a large stone with a
depression that can hold water,
or a log that has been partially
hollowed out.
There are also bird baths
which can hang from tree
branches or from brackets
attached to a deck railing or
wall. These are excellent for
apartment dwellers, or anyone
who has limited yard space.
Some even use suction cups to
attach to windows, allowing you
to have a close-up view of the
action.
Whatever water source you
provide, it needs to be kept
clean, filled, and free of any
chemicals. For winter use, there
are heated bird baths, or
separate heating elements
that can be added to any small
water feature.
Birds in particular are fond
of moving water, and the
sound alone is often enough
to attract them. Some bird
baths provide fountains, and
there are kits to create your
own fountains in other
containers. There are also
special misting attachments
that can be added.
If you are working with a
limited budget, a hose draped
over a tree branch and allowed
to drip very, very slowly into a
container of water will provide
the desired effect.
A similar solution would be to
replace the hose with a bucket,
plastic jug, or other watertight
container with a tiny hole in the
bottom, just large enough to let
the water drip out slowly .
A series of half-barrels or
other containers at different
heights, plus a recirculating
pump, can create the illusion of
a waterfall as the liquid flows
through spouts or other
connectors from one level into
the next.
Maintaining a packed area of
moist soil, or providing a
shallow container of damp
“All too often, gardeners, when confronted with wet areas,
attempt to alter the habitat by drainage or fill, with the
purpose of creating lawns or planting shrubs in an attempt
to shape a landscape into a scene resembling every other
developed landscape...
Why not work within the parameters of the existing
environment, making use of water to create a landscape of
both stability and beauty. Use the assets of the site, such
as its natural moisture for a pool or a marshy habitat
rather than fighting nature. The creation of a wet habitat
also offers unexpected pleasures in the form of the wild
species that may appear naturally or be brought in by
migrating birds."
– Gardening with Native Wild Flowers
Samuel Jones and Leonard Foote
sand, will attract butterflies.
They not only need water to
drink, but also require
minerals from the wet dirt.
Larger Bodies of Water
Now that the birds and
insects are provided for, you
can think about other
creatures which will appreciate
larger and deeper sources of
drinking water. Ponds have
been recognized for the
beauty that they add to any
home landscape.
As a result, there is a
wealth of information available
on building ponds of all sizes,
as well as kits to make your
job easier.
This publication will primarily
give you an overview of the
basics of building and
maintaining an informal pond
designed to attract and serve
wildlife. Any bookstore, library,
large home improvement store
or nursery, or your Cooperative
Extension Service can provide
you with seemingly endless
books and information on
more elaborate construction
techniques.
Most pond construction
books will give guidelines about
waterfalls, elevation and
excavation, water tables, and
liner and pump sizes. If that
type of pond is your goal,
taking time to do the research
now will mean far few problems
in the future.
Your first step should be to
analyze your space and decide
where you want to locate your
pond. To get the most
enjoyment, it should be visible
from the house and
customary outdoor living area
such as a deck or patio.
