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The Registry of
Nature Habitats
Drawing a Site
Map
Drawing a site map is as
simple as the sample site we will use. This
sample site map is for a property about 1/2 acre in size. Now
look at a site map for the same property providing all four elements
required for a Nature Habitat. This may be a more ambitious
than you expected, but remember, this is a plan and it can be
accomplished over several years. This yard now contains all
four elements and 14 of the 16 components of a habitat. It
originally only had 2 or 3 and those were at bare minimum. The
only components missing are: Cut Banks, Cliffs & Caves and
Snags. Banks, Cliffs & Caves must be present and cannot be
created easily while Snags can be created by not cutting down dead
trees. For safety reasons, it is a good idea to cut off all
the outer branches and top the tree if it is near your house or in
an area frequented by people.
Let's identify the components on the new
design for our sample site.
-
Feeders - There are
four feeders scattered about the property.
-
Water - The site now
has a small pond and two birdbaths.
-
Dust Beds and Grit -
The garden will have one small section.
-
Salt - Will be
provided in the bird feeders.
-
Brush Pile - Instead
of removing brush, it is now piled in corner of
property.
-
Nest Boxes - The
site now has four nest boxes.
-
Conifers - The
number of evergreens has been increased dramatically.
-
Gasses & Legumes
- Are now planted around the pond, by the garden and near
front fence.
-
Butterfy, Bee & Moth
Plants - The perennial beds will be full of plants
these critters love.
-
Hummingbird Plants -
Same as above including monarda, trumpet vine, columbine,
etc....
-
Summer Plants -
Rasperries, blackberries,vines, etc...
-
Fall Plants -
Winterberry, cotoneaster, grasses, etc...
-
Winter Plants -
Crabapple, chokecherry, cranberry, etc...
-
Nut & Acorn Trees -
Two nut trees were planted on far side of
driveway.
If this plan was implemented over a few
years, it would not be long before this property was full of
wildlife.
What's
Next!
Draw a site map of your
property and identify all of the Components of a Habitat found on the
property. Identify the Habitat Type you have and what the
general habitat types found in you local community are. Identify the components you wish to introduce. Remember, it is
rare for a property to have all 16 components. If you can
develop a property to contain 10-12, that is excellent. Keep
in mind your budget. This will determine how much you can
do. Below is a list of the components of a habitat in the
order importance to a small property.
-
Water
-
Feeders
-
Bird Houses
-
Salt
-
Dust Beds & Grit
-
Butterfly, Bee & Moth
Plants
-
Hummingbird Plants
-
Summer Plants
-
Fall Plant
-
Winter Plants
-
Grasses & Legumes
-
Conifers
-
Nuts & Acorns
-
Brush & Rock Piles
-
Snags
-
Cut Banks, Caves &
Cliffs
As you can see, the more important
components for a small property are those that are plant components
vs structural components.
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