Water can be scarce for wildlife in winter when natural sources are frozen. While most creatures are seeking drinking water, birds are also looking for bathing water. Bathing helps birds to stay warm by keeping their insulating feathers in tip-top condition. Keeping your bird bath clean and free from ice will help birds and other creatures to survive the winter. Heated bird baths, which keep the water just warm enough to keep from freezing and use little electricity, are also available.
Winter is the time for backyard wildlife watchers to brush up on their identification skills.
Keep a field guide and a pair of binoculars at hand to help identify your winter visitors. Practice identifying trees and other plants while they are dormant and without leaves. Looking for bird nests and insect galls is easier in the winter when leaves have fallen and bare branches expose them. Look for nests and galls in shrubs and low trees and along the edges of fields and clearings. Finally, winter is the time to plan ahead for next year.