Ways to Attract Winter Wildlife to Your Garden Pond

In the winter, your garden pond is probably fairly quiet – hoses and pumps have been disconnected, and the pond itself may be frozen or drained. But there are ways to bring your garden pond to life in the winter by attracting wildlife. Here are some ways to attract wildlife to your garden pond in the winter.

1. Construct shelters

One of the things that a pond can offer is a sort of sheltered oasis for cold, hungry wildlife. Shelter is one of the things wild animals need in winter. Put up birdhouses to give birds a place out of the wind where they can roost at night. And you may find a delightful surprise in spring if the birds choose to nest there!

Rock piles are another form of shelter that do well around ponds, and may already be a part of your water-scape. Loosely pile rocks if they are not there already, and allow leaves to accumulate in and around the rock pile. This can provide shelter for ground-dwelling birds, frogs and toads, and small rodents such as chipmunks.

2. Provide drinking water

Water is a resource that is surprisingly hard to come by in winter. Most water sources are frozen or dry, so consider keeping at least some water in your pond. Since your pump and hoses are probably disassembled, you can just pour in a bit of water. Use warm water to thaw any ice, or use an electric warmer. A reliable water source will attract all kinds of wildlife, from birds and squirrels to deer.

3. Food

Food is also scarce in winters, especially in harsh climates with a great deal of snow. You can hang a traditional bird feeder around your pond, or set out a shallow dish of food. Depending on the method of feeding, you can attract chipmunks, squirrels, deer, and birds to your pond.

Remember that high-fat foods are especially beneficial in winter, and include fatty seeds and grains like sunflower seeds, peanuts, and corn. You can also mix dried fruits, grains and nuts with suet or leftover kitchen fats (such as bacon, sausage, or chicken fat chilled until solid) and smear it on your rock pile or food plate.

4. Shrubs

Evergreen shrubs are an excellent shelter for wildlife in the winter, and they look lovely around a pond. Plant American holly for a protective, bristly shelter for birds – its red berries also provide food. Hardy rose bushes provide juicy, red rosehips (berries) in cold weather. Deer are attracted to shrubs that bear berries as well. White spruce and balsam fir are also favorites among wildlife for shelter.

If you provide these things around your pond, you may be able to view species you have never seen before, such as grouse. Your pond area can be a wonderful oasis for a variety of wildlife, providing needed food and shelter for the animals and viewing pleasure for you.

Thanks for coming back to this blog, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Unusual Items that Can Be Recycled

Recycling does not necessarily denote dropping off aluminum cans, plastic and glass containers, and paper at your local recycling center. While such recycling is great, there are unusual items that can be recycled and creative methods for doing so.

* Build stuff!

This is where recycling can get really fun. Old paint containers can be cleaned, covered with contact paper or paint, and used as planters, vases, or even used as coffee table legs. Prescription medication containers have been made into artwork, clocks, lamps, and picture frames. Leftover paint can be used to create artwork, or to paint the above projects. There are also programs that collect unused latex paint, such as the National Council on Paint Disposition (NCPD). Get creative!

* Donate

-Computers
An interesting program began in California, wherein people donated old computers to prisons. The prisoners repaired the machines and, in turn, donated them to local schools. There may be such a program in your area. If there is not a local recycling option, some computer manufacturers offer a mail-in recycling program.

-Eyeglasses
Check with local churches and other charities in your area, and talk to your eye doctor. You will probably find many options for recycling your eyeglasses. Various organizations collect used eyeglasses for distribution to third world countries or to other needy individuals. The most well-known of these organizations is Lions Club International, which has noticeable, yellow drop-boxes on city curbs for collecting eyeglasses. They look something like postal drop-boxes.

-Cell phones
Like eyeglasses, cell phones are another popular item for local charities to accept as donations. If it still works and you just want to upgrade, consider giving it to someone who could use it. You could also take the phone back to the place where you bought it, and ask about recycling.

* Recycle

Here are some other unusual items and some ideas for recycling them.

-Medications
First, check with your local waste disposal officials and see if recycling medications is legal in your area. If so, ask if there are any programs through which your old medications can be recycled, such as a repository program.

-Engine oil
Engine oil can be re-refined and/or re-used, either as motor oil again or burned as a fuel. Check with your local mechanic, auto shop and/or waste collection authority and find out if there is a program available through which you can recycle your used motor oil.

-Batteries
Re-chargeable batteries need special treatment, but they can be recycled through special programs. Single-use alkaline batteries can be recycled as well. There are retailers who will take your used batteries and either recycle them or dispose of them properly. Check with your local solid waste authority, recycling center, or hardware store to find out what’s available in your area.

These days, recycling is about more than bottles and soda cans!

The Cat Herbal: Simple Green Remedies For Your Cat

Where to buy: www.amazon.com

The Cat Herbal: Simple Green Remedies For Your Cat is designed for all cat lovers who want to treat their cats with safe and natural herbal remedies. It is a practical guide and reference book that includes more than one hundred feline disorders and appropriate herbal remedies from A-Z.

It gives advice on how to prepare and administer herbs, such as applying bandages. The reader is also given information about common herbs available in your own garden, herbal suppliers, wild herbs and where to find them. The included plant description and illustrations allow you to easily identify herbs in the wild.

Bach Flower Remedies are explained in great detail and how this treatment can be beneficial to cats. You can read up on traditional charms and how to recite them to enhance treatment, how to seek the help of angels and spiritual and crystal healing.

This book is a must-have for all cat owners who want to keep their cats healthy and spiritually happy. The author, Claire Nahmad, is the author of various books and comes from a long line of herbalists and wisewomen.

Next Page »