It's a cold, blustery day here, with five inches of snow on the ground and more falling, driving down. It turns my thoughts to spring and wildlife, and to what would my dream wildlife area would be.

If time and money were not constraints, what would I do for a wildlife area?

On Tuesdays over the next few weeks I'm going to write on my fantasy wildlife area. Hopefully it will generate some ideas for you, as well.

What Kind of Area?

I'm choosing to write about a deck facing west in the American Midwest (Zone 5), as it's the most familiar to me. However, even if you have an enclosed balcony on the 8th floor, you will find something relevant in these posts to your own situation.

What Kind of Critters?

My ideal wildlife area would attract songbirds, jays, woodpeckers, hummingbirds, squirrels, bees (especially the solitary, friendly ones), butterflies, beneficial bats, and perhaps even dragonflies.

What would you want to attract?

The Series

1. An Introduction
2. Providing Water
3. Bird Food
4. Bird Feeders
5. Shelter
6. Vines and Shrubs to Shelter Wild Birds
7. Flowering Container Plants