Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
Photo by: Terry Spivey, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Most people enjoy watching wildlife in their yards and forests. Wildlife depends on private lands for food, living space, shelter from predators and adverse weather, and a place to rear their young. There are a number of things you can do to help improve wildlife habitat on your property.
Maintain dead or dying trees (snags).
Snags are essential habitat for cavity-nesting species such as woodpeckers. But other species such as bats, songbirds, and some small mammals also utilize dead trees as important habitat. If few snags exist on your property they can be created by killing live trees. Snags should only be retained or created where they will not pose a safety hazard. You can provide additional habitat for cavity-dependant species by providing wooden nesting boxes and bat roosting boxes. Make sure you place the boxes in areas that are protected from heat and wind.
Variable density thinning forest stands.
Variable density thinning will allow sunlight to reach the forest floor and stimulate the growth of plants beneficial to wildlife. Leave some dense clumps of un-thinned, un-pruned trees to provide places for animals to hide from predators and the elements.
Retain understory vegetation and downed logs.
Woody debris and shrubs should be retained unless they pose an excessive fire hazard. Down wood 4 inch diameter or larger contributes very little to fire spread. Maintain trees and shrubs along stream banks. If your property is too park-like it will probably not attract a large variety of wildlife.
Encourage habitat diversity.
You will attract a wider variety of wildlife species if your property also offers a variety of plants species and sizes.
Use bird feeders only if you are committed to taking care of them.
If you commit to feeding birds you must keep the feeders clean and filled, especially during the harsh winter months. Thoroughly clean all feeders weekly to reduce the spread of disease from bird to bird. If you notice dead birds take the feeders down immediately, clean them thoroughly, and stop feeding. Follow these simple precaution s:
- Do not handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
- Wear rubber gloves while filling or cleaning bird feeders.
- Disinfect bird feeders periodically with a 10 percent solution of chorine bleach and dry thoroughly.
- Clean up seed waste and bird droppings beneath feeders.
- Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after filling or cleaning bird feeders.
Source: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
HOME (Backyard Stewardship in Eastern WA)
HOME (Backyard Forestry in Western WA)
For additional information on wildlife species and habitat try these resources:
Wildlife Ecology and Forest Habitat
WDFW Backyard Wildlife Sanctuary Program
Crossing Paths with Wildlife in Washington Towns and Cities
A good overall wildlife seed mix:
Western WA :
Fine fescue-17 lbs/acre
Big trefoil-2 lbs/acre
Annual rye grass-1 lb/acre
White dutch clover-2 lbs/acre
Suitable for shaded areas
Eastern WA:
2 lbs. White Dutch Clover
5 lbs. Idaho or Sheep fescue
11 lbs. Blue Bunch Wheatgrass or Orchard grass
Sow 18 lbs. of seed per acre of the mixture; approximately 200’ x 200’
Spread on trails, roads, and in openings
Plants to attract wildlife
For upland sites:
Blue Elderberry
Cascara
Bitter Cherry
Pacific Dogwood
Hawthorn
Serviceberry
Wildrose
Mountain Ash
Kinnickinick
Ninebark
Snowberry
Chokecherry
Stream and Wet sites:
Willow
Cottonwood
Oregon Ash
Red-osier dogwood
Heading using the h3tag
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