Of course some berry producers, like blueberries and raspberries, are not only valuable to wildlife friends, but tasty and safe for people too. Artificial boxes Birds and mammals that usually nest in cavities of mature trees may nest in boxes if available. Owls, bluebirds, wrens, purple martins and swallows are just a few. Bats consume pesky insects like mosquitoes that abound in the streams and marshes of the Bay region. Specially designed bat boxes erected on buildings and trees will attract these beneficial mammals to your backyard.
Bats roost inside during the day and perch on the eaves at dusk to feed on flying insects.
Check with your local library or garden center for good books that explain how to build and maintain these backyard homes. Water Water for both drinking and bathing is essential to wildlife. Unfortunately, it is often the most overlooked landscape component. Natural water sources continue to rapidly disappear in the cities and suburbs around Chesapeake Bay, and you can provide this critical habitat need in a number of creative ways. A bird bath placed near shrubs or trees provides safe drinking and bathing for many bird species.