MAY 2021 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 43
PRESS PETS
SPRING TIPS
WELCOMING WILDLIFE HOME
Bird feeders attract feathered friends. (Getty
Images)
BY ALLISON MATOS
Spring is here, which means the
birds are singing and wildlife has
resurfaced.
New York is known for its vast array
of creatures great and small, and
residents everywhere are welcoming
furry and feathered friends into their
backyards in the most wonderful ways.
Anita Heiser from Massapequa designs
ponds with wildlife in mind. “When
birds can hear and see the water falling
on shallow tiers of stones, they know
they can safely bathe and will not
drown,” she says. “And if your yard is
prone to outdoor cats, it’s important to
create spaces where they can feel safe
as well.”
When designing her gardens and
ponds, Heiser utilizes low-growing
plants and rocks placed in ways
animals can safely explore them, allowing
for cohabitation and a serene
environment.
Suzanne Cappetta from upstate New
York suggests researching the types
of birds which frequent your region, as
birds usually have a preferred choice
of seed as well as a feeder preference.
If you identify proper types of feeders
for each species, birds can rely on
their feeders and other wildlife, such
as squirrels, will choose to eat from
feeders more suited to their needs.
If you’re not a fan of squirrels, keep this
in mind: Their nut gathering has big impacts
on tree growth that sustains our
ecosystem (they’re also pretty funny to
watch, too). You can set up feeding stations
for all types of wildlife including
possums, which will return the favor
by eating unwanted ticks.
And Mallory Kerley of Massapequa
recently installed a bat house in hopes
her new tenants would eat the unwanted
bugs the warmer weather brings.
Since one bat can eat anywhere from
500 to 1,000 mosquitoes in one hour,
taking ownership of one may be a good
move.
But don’t stop there: Bees are powerful
pollinators that buzz from plant
to plant, transferring
pollen to help
flowers grow.
Some bee favorites
include lilacs, lavender,
wisteria, sunflowers and mint.
If you prefer nonstingers, you
can create your own butterfly
garden by collecting and nurturing
caterpillars. However
you chose to welcome
wildlife
into your
space, be
sure to research
how to
best create
a safe space
for all guests
great and small.
For more information about
A n i t a
Heiser’s wildlife
friendly
p o n d s ,
contact anitasgardens@
gmail.com.
A portion
of the proceeds
goes
to animals
and animal
rescuers in
need.
IT TAKES A SPECIAL
PERSON TO SAVE
A SPECIAL PET
YOUR MONTHLY
PET SPONSORSHIP WILL:
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provide ongoing medical care.
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or abandoned animals receive
constant love and attention.
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a grateful pet’s life!
DON’T WAIT - ACT NOW!
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