We’ve all heard complaints about Wimberley streets becoming crowded and how hard it is to drive through the square. This would all sound foolish to our city friends, but the fact is that Hays County’s population increased by 53 percent between 2010 and 2020. Imagine the effect that has had on our native wildlife. What has become of their once abundant habitat? Our central Texas critters need four things to maintain life – food, water, shelter and a place to raise young. Today I am thinking of how we can help our resident and migrating birds. Let’s focus on water.
Backyard water features are attractive and provide drinking and bathing spots for wildlife. Birds like moving water, and this can easily be accomplished by placing a water wiggler or a solar fountain in a traditional pedestal bird bath. A water wiggler is battery operated and, while the batteries stay dry on the top of the device, projections rotate to create moving water. A solar fountain runs on sun energy and shoots water upward. It’s also a good idea to have a water source in addition to the typical pedestal bath. A large plant saucer placed on a stone, so that it is just a few inches from the ground, becomes a water source for insects, amphibians and reptiles. Another good idea is a hanging bath that is high enough to foil predators.
It’s important to periodically clean bird baths. Pick a time of the month to give them a good soapy scrubbing and follow by spraying with a vinegar solution to discourage algae. After rinsing and filling with fresh water, add mosquito dunk to each bath. This product is toxic only to mosquito larvae. After my recent first of the month cleaning I was immediately rewarded by a visit from a humming bird in my hanging bath and a beautiful summer tanager in a pedestal bath. It was a joy to see the hummer make repeated dives into the fresh water and the tanager take a full soaking bath and then stand on the rim to fluff his feathers and dry in the sun. Let’s support our feathered friends as they help Keep Wimberley Beautiful.
