4
Cut Banks, Cliffs, and Caves
Cut banks, cliffs, and caves should not be created if they don’t already
exist. Cliffs will attract bats, bank swallows, kingfishers, and peregrine
falcons. Cut banks attract fox, badgers, coyotes, and groundhogs. And,
bats are attracted to caves.
Brush and Rock Piles
Brush and rock piles provide escape cover, nesting, and den sites for
species such as weasels, rabbits, groundhogs, skunks, snakes, quail, and
others. If you place a brush or rock pile on the edge of a small pond, with
part of it under the water, you will have a fitting habitat for amphibian and
reptile species.
Brush or rock piles placed away from water, should be in or next to
sheltered areas such as along the edges of fields or in shrubs or second
growth areas. If you have more than a few acres, the brush pile should be
at least 15 ft. across. Put larger logs on the bottom and criss-cross them.
Then gradually add medium ones, ending up with small trees or branches on
top.
Nest Boxes
Nest boxes are used by nearly 50
species of wildlife. Wildlife seek them out
when they cannot find suitable tree cavities.
In several cases, such as the Eastern Bluebird,
the boxes and work of thousands of volunteers, are
responsible for bringing the birds back from near
endangered status.
Boxes can be constructed of numerous materials but the best is
probably red cedar, which does not require any type of protective coating.
The size of the box and entrance hole are critical to each species.
Snags, Fallen Trees, and Perches
Unfortunately, when most people see a dead tree (snag), they want to
cut it down immediately. They don’t realize that a dead tree is home to
numerous insects and cavity nesting/den species of wildlife. In the
Midwest, more than 40 species of birds and about 30 mammal species
use them.
Insect larvae are often under the bark or in the soft wood. Woodpeckers
have the skill to create cavities that are often used by other species such
as wood ducks and owls. A snag
needs to be at least six inches in
diameter and 15 ft. tall. And, the
bigger, the better. Some people will
cut down a snag, move it to their
residence, and replant it in their
yard near a window where they can
watch the wildlife it attracts.
Branches (perches) overhanging
water are preferred by herons and
kingfishers so they can swoop in
from their lofty perches and get a
fish dinner. Flycatchers do the
same thing, only they want
insects. On dry land, perches are
used by hawks, eagles, vultures,
and falcons to spot prey.
LIVING COMPONENTS
OF A WILDLIFE HABITAT
Conifers
Conifers (sometimes known as
evergreens) include trees and
shrubs that do not lose their
needles in winter. Species include
firs, spruces, pines, arborvitae,
junipers, yews, and cedars.
This group of plants is critical to
wildlife. The cover and shelter they
provide is invaluable. In addition,
wildlife eat the seeds, buds, twigs,
sap, and needles. Plus, the trees
always stay green, and make the
habitat look better. Forty-eight
species of birds prefer the eastern
white pine. For example, turkeys
eat the seeds and needles, and
yellow-bellied sapsuckers eat the
sap. Branches and cavities are
used for nesting.
Other favorite conifers are
balsam fir, eastern red cedar,
spruces, and eastern hemlock.
Canada yew is highly preferred by
deer and is generally wiped out
wherever significant number of
deer are present.
