If we accept the axiom that the wildlife was here in Baldwin first, then we can appreciate the varieties still actively here, e.g., the black bear, the bob cats, the coyotes, the deer, the red foxes, the armadillos, the raccoons, the opossums, the squirrels, and the myriads of birds. Our task, then, as we look at our backyards, becomes one of balancing our human activities with the habitat needs of our Baldwin County wildlife. This becomes a big picture issue as well as a local issue for us in Alabama. As Ms. Melanie cited, "In 25 years 20% of the existing species present on this globe will be gone."
So, what can be done to nurture those critters in the backyard? Their survival requires three things: food, water, and shelter. Provision of those three in the backyard will help support many of the native creatures here in Baldwin. For instance, just a simple shallow bird bath placed in the open with available proper perches and shading, will accomplish the water criterion for many critters with feathers, but that same bath may provide for water needs of small mammals and amphibians. Even an area that is watered and misted regularly may nurture critters like humming birds.
Water is a critical need for animals, but food is also a requirement. Food, preferably using native plants, will nurture those backyard critters. Fruit and nut trees are a natural, but artificial feeders using seeds, thistle seeds, suet, and humming bird juice, do well in many backyards. Squirrels seem to like those feeders, however, and may be discouraged by providing them with their own feeder to lure them away. Sweet potatoes are a favorite of some animals. "A deer can smell that split sweet potato a mile away." A variety of animals love pecans--you can help them by cracking those nuts. "You will be surprised at what animals will eat those nuts--many, many besides squirrels!" Bones and antlers and such provide calcium for a number of animals in the backyard as well. "Why not try some of them in that backyard?" asked this presentation team.
In terms of shelter, animal needs relate to protection from weather and predators, and protection for the nurture of young. "Snag trees," those free-standing dead trees we are inclined to take out in the backyard, are a major source of shelter for many backyard critters. Initially that tree is colonized by woodpeckers, but over time and with expansion of those holes, a conglomeration of tenants will take up residence. Backyard habitat cultivators are encouraged to leave those snag trees standing when there is no threat to the home by leaving them. But in addition, animal houses can be constructed for many critters, including squirrels, owls, ducks, purple martins, blue birds, bats--and the list goes on and on. Ms Sonya and Ms Melanie brought a variety of such habitat constructs to display and are a resource for plans.
Protection is such a key need for our backyard wildlife, particularly when we recognize that the feral cat is the number one predator in Baldwin County. These are those house cats that prowl but also the many strays running free in the County. "They are very hard on the surviving wildlife in the County." Shelter that protects from them and snakes and raccoons will nurture that backyard menagerie. "The more natural habitat left when a house is built in undeveloped Baldwin acres, the more wildlife that will be attracted to that yard." But even little things added to the backyard of an established house will add wildlife to that backyard.
County Extension Agent Sonya Wood Mahler's program was presented to "Men's 710 Second Tuesday," a men's monthly breakfast and speaker program at Zion Lutheran Church. Breaking with tradition, men and women were invited to hear this exceptional speaker. Ms. Mahler, a resident of Foley, was able to share her expertise in habitat as applied to backyard flora and fauna and is a resource in Baldwin County reachable at (251) 937-7176.
