Water in the city: visitation of animal wildlife to garden water sources and urban lakes

Abstract Providing garden water sources (e.g., ponds, bird baths) has become a popular and strongly promoted form of wildlife-friendly gardening, yet evidence their use by animals is scarce limited to few taxa source types. We examined the prevalence, variety potential value animal wildlife supplementary provided within gardens Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, using an online questionnaire field observations visitation urban during summer 2021. Over 70% 105 respondents indicated presence at least one in almost 50% had two or more. Bird baths, ground water-bowls ponds were most common types provided. During 207 h observation, we recorded total 43 (birds, insects, mammals, amphibians, reptiles) visiting lakes birth water-bowls. Taxa richness was similar (30) (27), although approximately each location unique that location. Visitation rates smaller-bodied did not differ between gardens, nor among individual Multivariate analyses insect assemblages from those sources, small type. These results demonstrate especially for animals, can supplement values contributed lake systems, should continue be as effective conservation action.