Spring has arrived and homeowners are eager to spend time outdoors getting their yards in shape for the season. What many homeowners may not know, cautions The Humane Society of the United States, is that it is also the peak of baby season for many wild animals - from rabbits and squirrels, to birds and raccoons.

According to John Hadidian, wildlife biologist and director of urban wildlife programs for The Humane Society of the United States, "Homeowners have spring fever and are excited to get their lawns and property prepped for the season. We are urging everyone to take some very easy steps and keep an eye out for their wild neighbors when mowing and tree trimming. A few simple precautions can prevent unnecessary injuries to wildlife, particularly the babies that are booming right now. Spring can be a rough time for them."

Tips for keeping wildlife safe when doing yard work:

Lawns: Before mowing, always walk over the lawn to check for wildlife - especially turtles and nests of baby rabbits. Taking time for a walk through can save lives.

• Turtles may be gently moved out of harms way.

• Rabbit nests should be left alone so that the mother rabbits can find their young when they come back to feed them. They'll be weaned and on their own within three weeks. Be patient and work around them if possible.

Trees: Before trimming trees, check all limbs for bird and squirrel nests.

• It is a myth that birds will reject babies touched by humans.

• If you accidentally knock a bird's nest out of a tree, retrieve the babies and their nest and re-nest them in the same location.

• If the nest is broken, you can make a replacement using a small nest-size wicker basket secured firmly at the location limb from where the original nest was. Then watch for the parents to return.

• For baby squirrels knocked out of nests, place the babies at the base of the same tree in a shallow box with something warm underneath (like a heating pad on low or a hot water bottle) so they don't get cold and compromised while they wait for their mother to return.

Brush Piles: Many homeowners hope to attract more wildlife to their property and brush piles can help do the trick.

• Use tree limbs, leaves, and other garden debris to make a brush pile in a corner of the yard.

• This is an inexpensive and easy way to provide critical shelter and cover for ground-nesting birds, reptiles and amphibians, chipmunks, rabbits, and other small mammals.

The HSUS Wild Neighbors Program promotes non-lethal means for resolving conflicts between people and wildlife and cultivates understanding and appreciation for wild animals commonly found in cities and towns. On the web at www.wildneighbors.org.

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