OK...I guess this is paradise to a polar bear...but how
do wildlife fare when it is SO cold outside? And what can you do to make it easier for them?
First, wildlife are built for surviving the winters. Dogs grow thicker coats in the fall, and so do all the other furry animals.
Some choose to bury themselves in a nice cozy bed and sleep all winter (My choice too!) while others migrate the the tropics
because they really don't like the cold (wait! can I change my mind!).
The wildlife that stay adapt to the cold. If you watch the little birds,
they poof their feathers. By doing this, they trap all the warmth in between their feathers and their body and it keeps them
warmer. Others huddle to keep warm. Lucky ones have houses to help.
So...what can you do to help these poor little creatures out during
the dreaded cold months?
- Place suit feeders for the birds and squirrels.
the suit is a high energy, high calorie snack that birds love. During the winter, animals need more calories to stay warm.
- Place a special heater in a bird bath, or make sure there is always access
to water that is not in the form of ice. The heaters heat the water enough to keep it from freezing. You can find these heaters
at a farm supply store or through a specialty wildlife store.
- For shelter-birds
love evergreens. Some evergreen trees or bushes also supply yummy berries as snacks. Those trees or bushes will provide a
wind shelter as well as protection from predators.
- Another form of shelter is
log piles or brush piles. Every fall when the branches are falling, I pile them up in my garden to make a winter shelter.
I add leaves, rocks and food as well. It's fun to see the little birds playing chase amongst the twigs.
- Supplemental feeders- during autumn and winter are the critical months for wildlife to build their
winter stores. it is also the time when food is the scarcest.
The little
critters will definitely appreciate any of the above. And your winter paradise will be aglow with wildlife activity.
Stay warm!
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