Window wells

[TheLorax]

There's a discussion on creating habitat for frogs, toads, salamanders, and turtles that's underway right now.

Thoughts to share regarding herps, critters, and window wells- All newer homes in the Midwest that have full basements have window wells. I understand window wells aren't common in other areas of the US but they are required by code here for everyone who has a basement. Homes generally have at least two per basement if not more. Here's what a window well looks like for those who are not familiar with them-
https://www.seepage.com/images/popup/window-well.jpg
Most window wells in my area are considerably deeper than this.

If one has a standard window well size, covers and grates can be purchased for them-
https://www.stevensonfabrication.com/images/WindowWellCover2.jpg

This style protects kids from falling down them but not critters-
https://www.safetrail.com/images/Window_Well_Cover_Open.jpg

As you can see here, critters end up trapped in them even with covers- how they get around those tight fitting covers is beyond me but they do-
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frackers23/800120456/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frackers23/799242397/in/photostream/

Window wells, just like the deep tire ruts on construction sites, are artificial death traps to herps. If you are going to be creating habitat for herps or already have naturally occurring wetlands and you have a home that has window wells, it's probably a real good idea to run down in the basement and check them every couple of days. Toads basically hang out waiting to be rescued. Frogs and juvenile turtles are terribly at risk because many of them work their way down into the gravel and you don't necessarily see them unless you move the rocks around a little bit to expose them. They do tend to come out at night though. A flashlight works wonders to see what's sitting in a water tray. If you're quick, you can grab your frog before it works its way down into gravel.

I religiously water my window wells with a garden hose and keep pie tins filled with water down at the bottom of every one of them. There are people out there who place self waterers for pets down in their window wells. Frogs and toads and all sorts of critters repeatedly end up down window wells around here. We added 10" extensions to our window wells to elevate them well above ground level which so far has eliminated salamanders ending up on the bottoms but other herps and critters are still ending up trapped in them. Chipmunks, mice, and squirrels that fall down normally get out on their own because we leave very long 2" x 2" x 7' pieces of wood stuck down them specifically for critters to be able to scurry up and out. Skunks, raccoons, and opossums are too heavy so when we find one of those down there we ram a 7' 2x4 down into the window well and leave them to their own devices to get out. For some reason baby birds, baby bunnies, moles, shrews, and herps never get out on their own. Watering window wells and keeping a tray filled with water at the bottom of them can help ensure that what ever ends up down there doesn't dehydrate and die before someone comes and retrieves it.

Window wells lend new definition to the term, "If you create it they will come"