It had been a cool, wet spring in the Northwest where I live, with constant rain and some flooding. But this past week the summer dry season arrived with a vengeance in the form off a record-popping heat wave. During summer garden water sources are more vital than ever for birds, mammals, insects, and frogs that need moisture to thrive.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Habitat Certification requirements list a water feature of some kind as one of the four main wildlife needs in a garden: food, water, nesting sites, and protective cover.
Some gardens have beautiful fountains or ponds for wildlife to enjoy. But simple birdbaths that are kept filled and clean are most common.
Not only birds and bees use birdbaths – squirrels and other mammals enjoy refreshment in dry seasons.
I have two birdbaths in my garden, both bought from Wild Birds Unlimited. Large shallow plastic trays sit on sturdy metal stands. I like the ease of picking up the trays for cleaning and refilling. If the tray degrades, I can buy another one. I also put rocks in the middle of the trays for birds to perch on, and for bees or other insects to sit on while they drink.
Another type of water feature for native plant gardeners is a butterfly puddler station. You might have noticed butterflies sitting on moist soil - they are imbibing both moisture and needed nutrients. Male butterflies seek out materials in soil like salts and amino acids that are passed on to females when they mate to ensure the eggs have sufficient nutrients for larval development.
Bees and other insects are also attracted to butterfly puddlers.
A puddler can be as simple as keeping a spot in the garden consistently moist.
You can also make a puddler – here are instructions from the Birds and Blooms website:
How to Create a DIY Butterfly Puddler:
Help butterflies, especially during dry weather, with a DIY backyard butterfly puddler spot.
Find and fill a shallow dish or container with soil or sand. Add a few flat rocks to provide perching spots.
Pour enough water in the container to moisten the soil, and sprinkle some salt on the surface. Also set out overripe fruit like bananas and oranges.
Keep the soil moist during the heat of the day, when butterflies are more likely to visit.
www.birdsandblooms.com/...
I made a puddler using an old Tupperware container set flush with the garden soil. I filled it with sand and gravel, put a couple of larger stones on top, and will sprinkle it with table salt and put rotten fruit on it this summer as further enticements for butterflies.
Do you have a water feature in your garden? What critters have you seen coming to your water source?