FEEDING AND WATERING

Wildlife feeding and watering stations can be as simple as as bird bath and few strung pine cones rolled in peanut butter and birdseed, or as elaborate as as pond with a sprinkler system and a city of bird feeders. Whatever your plan, keep your stations in eye view so you and your family can enjoy the wildlife your efforts attract. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Keep feeders and nest boxes rustic, no need to paint.

2. Keep feeders clean, wildlife can get sick too.

3. Use perchless feeders to discourage starlings and English Sparrows from monopolizing your larder.

4. Fill an open box with coarse sand to help birds digest.

5. Scatter seed in the grass below feeders fro ground feeding birds and mammals.

6. Tie suet or grease drippings in nylon net bags, the kind fruit comes in, and hang in trees.

7. Plates of water and seed placed in window boxes may be the answer for apartment dwellers.

8. Garden stores and hobby shops will give you lots of style ideas for feeders and nest boxes.

9. Ears of corn staked on long nails to a board is as treat for cottontails and squirrels.

10. During summer months, stake orange halves for special treat for orioles and brown thrashers.

11. Place feeders out of the wind.

12. Gather discarded Christmas trees and secure to bare trees or clothesline post for wintertime cover.

13. Squirrel-proof songbird nest boxes and feeders by placing slippery metal cones above and below, or by placing the boxes on metal poles instead of in trees.

14. Place feeders or nest boxes 4 or 5 feet off the ground and near shrubs and trees to protect users from predators.

15. Tie bells on neighborhood cats to give birds and small mammals a head start when danger strikes.

16. Most important of all - when feeding wildlife, feed consistently. If you are a wintertime feeder, feed all winter. Wildlife will become dependent on you for food.