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Grit (coarse sand) is needed by
birds in their gizzards to grind up
their food.
Some people add sand to their
bird feed, while others just provide
it in a tray near their feeding
station.
Water
Water is just as important as
food, but often is one of the
factors limiting the presence of
wildlife. If you have water, you will
attract many more species of
wildlife. Remember, dripping or
flowing water is more attractive to
wildlife than still water. And,
shallow water is preferred over
deep water by most wildlife. Water
can be provided in many forms:
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Bird Baths – can be plastic or
concrete, heated or unheated,
formal or as informal as an
upturned garbage can lid. If
you have a problem with cats
killing your feeder and
songbirds, make sure the bird
bath is at least 15 ft. away
from trees and shrubs, where
cats can hide before pouncing.
A dripper or mister are good
additions. Specially designed
heaters are available for bird
baths or you can go to a farm
supply store and buy a heated
dog dish for around $20. Be
sure to add a flat rock in the
center where birds can stand
while drinking and bathing.
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Ponds – can be lined with concrete, plastic, or rubber. If you want to
attract songbirds, ducks, frogs, toads, and salamanders, make it
about 10 ft. across and 1 to 2 ft. deep. Placing soil on top of the liner
in the bottom of the pool, will make it possible to seed native aquatic
plants such as cattail, water lily, arrowhead, marsh marigold, or
duckweed. Or, you can plant in pots and place them on the bottom.
If you can accommodate a larger pond (30 to 40 ft. across), you’ll
be able to attract more wildlife such as crayfish, salamanders,
newts, more species of frogs, garter snakes, birds, and turtles.
Construct at least one-third of the bank with a gradual incline
toward the deep point. Place a brush pile in the shallow water and
you will attract frogs, toads, and salamanders who will lay their eggs
there. Rocks placed along the water’s edge will serve as sunning
areas for turtles and snakes.
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Bogs and Wetlands – can be as simple as a mud puddle for
butterflies to a sizable overflow area for your pond to a wetlands
area fed by a spring or stream. These areas attract a wide variety of
species such as ducks, geese, grebes, herons, blackbirds, terns,
marsh wrens, muskrats, minks, raccoons, and many others. Follow
this rule of thumb – for each acre of wetlands, there should be two
to four acres of grassy nesting cover.
Salt
Salt is essential in the diet of wildlife. Some species, including deer,
moose, pine grosbeaks, and crossbills, will seek salt deposits. Others can
satisfy their need from trace elements in their diet. Some states will
allow residents to place salt blocks on their property, others will not.
Another way to supply salt is to fill a burlap sack half full of granular
salt and hang it from a tree where rain can leach the salt into the soil.
Make sure the tree is one that you wouldn’t miss, as the salt will
probably eventually kill the tree. Wildlife will seek these areas out.
