We have the creek, but when we are in drought, portions of it go dry, so I have two birdbaths, a small fountain out of galvanized tin, and bowls of water for cats, strays and mine. Has anyone else noticed that mosquitoes don't seem to lay eggs in galvanized tin? There are never any larvae in the fountain or in a small galvanized tub which is painted red. At first, I thought it might be the red color they didn't like, but then noticed there were never any in the fountain either. I also feed a stray tomcat that is deaf and blind. He sees light and dark but that's it. I also have a possum and raccoons that steal cat food whenever they can. I didn't know it, but the possum was living under a huge piece of cardboard that I keep to block weed killer when I'm spraying. When I discovered him, I chased him out of the garage with a broom. He got about five feet out in the driveway and seemed to realize, wait a minute, I live here! Then he turned around and came running and hissing at me. Let's just say I'm glad there were no witnesses to my retreat. It involved screaming and running. DH finally chased him out. I would adore some hedgehogs. They are one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Thanks guys! I do feel better. I am sure there are other chlorinated pools in the area that the birds and bats can drink out of also. I am wondering if the pool is no salty enough to cause serious effects to the animals. I will be adding two chlorinated water sources in the front and back yard as I progress through this remodel. I am adding these solely for the wild animals.

I have a doubly literary one for you: My brother named his cockatiel Quasimodo - Quasi for short - after a pigeon of the same name in Gerald Durrell's My Family and Other Animals. That pigeon in turn had been named after the bell-ringer from Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, because it was so ugly when he got it. It was moulting from its baby down and had pin feathers sticking in every direction, just like Quasi when brother got him. My own tiel has a sort of literary name as well: Ljúflingur, which is a metaphor used in poetry to refer to an elf or a lover. It literally means "sweet one".

The cat would not go in my traps, and now I don't know where she is. I haven't seen her in months. Probably eaten by an owl,along with her babies. I did catch a fox and a raccoon. Neither were pleased... There are no free spay/neuter programs here and none that are reduced rate that are not obnoxious. But i did try to trap her. I can't be in a car with cats because my eyes swell shut but my sister would have driven her to the vet for me. It's easier just to pay for it myself. Trapped this one at work the other night for a truck driver. He said he would have it fixed and he and his wife wanted to attempt to make it into a housecat. It's a mean little thing. I think it will probably make a better barn cat. As long as there aren't any owls lurking.....