When you decorate for Halloween, don't make this mistake

A scared screech owl caught in fake spiderweb decorations, hanging upside down with feet tangled in the webbing

A reminder from Intermountain Bird Observatory

It's that time of year! Please remember that fake cotton cobweb decorations are extremely dangerous for wildlife. If you need a spooky vibe, only use these cotton decorations inside your home.

Outdoors, you can save time on cleaning and help the birds by leaving natural spiderwebs alone. Many songbirds eat spiders, spider egg sacks (a favorite of chickadees!), and even dead insects left in webs over the winter.

And if you leave spiderwebs around your house in springtime you might get to witness female hummingbirds collecting web to build their nests!