fact enhancing wildlife habitat...

This fact sheet was produced by the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Small Acreage Steering Committee. The Governor's WatershedEnhancement Board, the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service funded the project. Media Works of Bozeman,Montana designed the fact sheet. You may reproduce or copy any portion of the text by notifying the Washington County SWCD at (503) 648-3174. Please acknowledge thispublication as the source. Additional permission is needed to reproduce credited pictures.

FactSheetFactSheet

NO. 16 JANUARY 1999

Enhancing Wildlife Habitat

Tips for Small Acreages in Oregon

"We live in a worldof complex,intertwinedrelationships. Theloss of one, smallspecies may nottouch us, but it canset in motion achain of events thatultimatelydamages ourexistence. By givingback to wildlife,you give to thefuture." - Rebecca MacLeod,

NRCS DistrictConservationist

Living the Good Lifewith Wildlife

Wildlife Needs: the BasicsWildlife includes insects, spiders,

mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, andreptiles. Each animal lives in a habitator habitats that provide food, water,cover, and the right placement of each.Small farms and ranches can providehabitat for many of these needs:

FoodAnimals need food year-round. Cropsand plants provide forage, berries,nuts, and fruits. Plants with fruits thatdry on the stem and are slow to fall areimportant winter foods. Plants attractanimals that are prey for others in thefood chain.

WaterWildlife species need water to drink, tobathe in, and as a source of food.Streams, ponds, birdbaths, andwatering tanks can provide water.

CoverWildlife need places to nest, rest,escape from predators, and take shelterfrom harsh weather. Brush piles, fencerows, rock piles, and dense shrubsprovide cover. Many wildlife speciesuse different habitats to meet theirneeds. For small animals, thesehabitats must be close together. Forexample, quail and rabbits need forageand shrubs within a few hundred feet

of each other. Other wildlife cantravel greater distancesbetween needed cover andhabitat types.

Oregon has anexceptionally diverse numberof landscapes and habitats.Improving your property forwildlife will depend on theconditions in your area.Become familiar with the localwildlife and their habitats. Getadvice from informed peoplewith local experience.

© ChristineHolden,

US Fish andWildlife Service

Ruffed Grouse

Tree Frog

© Christine Holden,US Fish and Wildlife Service


We often choose to live in thecountry because of the wildlife foundthere. Some wildlife benefits are:

Natural pest control.Bats can eat more than 500 insects anhour, including mosquitoes andagricultural pests. Hawks and owls eatrodents.

Healthy wildlife population means ahealthy environment for people.Our declining fish populations are like"canaries in a coal mine," warning usthat our watersheds are not as healthyas they could be. Clean water forsalmon means clean water for drinking,fishing, and swimming.

Moments of beauty.Seeing wildlife relieves stress and givesus an opportunity to teach our childrenabout nature and the importance ofstewardship.

Unfortunately, more than a quarterof the 626 native fish and wildlifespecies in Oregon are threatened,endangered, or are headed in thatdirection. More than a third of ourmigratory birds have decliningpopulations. We know that carefulmanagement has increased populationsof bald eagles, peregrine falcons, andwestern snowy plovers. Homeownersand small landholders canmake an importantcontribution byproviding optimalrefuge,water, andfood forwildlife.

2 FACT SHEET NO. 16

Where Do I Start?Small farms and ranches can be rich wildlife havens and serve as buffers from

urban areas. To enhance wildlife opportunities on your land:1. Draw a map of your property.2. Inventory your existing habitat types (trees, shrubs, or grasses).3. Decide what wildlife you would like to encourage.4. Make a plan to meet your goals for protecting, restoring, or improving wildlife

habitat.5. Follow parts or the entire plan over a period of years.

You can improve wildlife habitat on your land in six basic areas: pasture,windbreaks, cropland, woodland, wetland, and farmstead. One study showed thatcropland supported up to 88 birds per acre, grassland supported up to 386 birdsper acre, and wetland supported up to 702 birds per acre. Read on to learn how toenjoy the company of more wildlife...

How Much Wildlife Can My Land Support?Just as the acreage and productivity of a pasture can only support a limited

number of livestock, so it is with wildlife. A 5-acre farm may support a bevy ofsongbirds, but it will be difficult to supply all of the requirements for deer. If youwould like to attract wildlife requiring large acreages, work with your neighbors toprovide habitat on adjoining properties. Wildlife won't recognize property lines.Here's a sampling of wildlife species and their habitat requirements:

Adapted from Enhancing Wildlife on Private Woodlands (EC 1122), Oregon State University.

RiparianSalamanders, frogs, snakes

Required AcreagesHabitat and Wildlife

1/4 to 2 acres - moist, streamside vegetation withclosed canopy; flowing streams.

15 acres - open areas with grasses and forbs; someshrubs. Rabbits need 1-2 brush piles/acre.

50 acres - openings, closed canopy (15-year-old+trees). Must be close to extensive forested areas of100 to 1,000 acres.

15 acres - 50:50 ratio of conifers to alder. Needmoist streamsides.

MeadowQuail, rabbit, meadowlark

Mixed meadow/forestDeer, elk

Young forestRuffed grouse

Rabbit

Junco

Salamander

Salmon

Towhee





© US Fish and Wildlife Service


ENHANCING WILDLIFE HABITAT - TIPS FOR SMALL ACREAGES IN OREGON 3

The Farmstead as WildlifeHabitat

Enhancing wildlife at the farmstead andsurrounding landscape offers the opportunity to seewildlife up close. Consider the following to invitewildlife near your home:

Tolerate some leaf litter and weeds in youryard.Allow leaves to accumulate under shrubs. You'llencourage towhees and fox sparrows, get rid ofinsects, and do less raking. Some "weeds" areactually valuable wildlife foods. Dandelions,pigweed, knotweed, chickweed, miner's lettuce, andwild grasses produce seeds prized by wildlife. If youare concerned about the looks of a weedy patch, putup a sign that says, "It's for the birds." In dryareas, you will need to balance the wildlife benefitsof plant litter with the fire hazards.

Manage roadsides for wildlife.Mow in August to avoid the nesting season andleave some cover for winter. Mow grass in blocks toleave some undisturbed cover at any one time.Convert bluegrass or fescue areas to nativegrasses. Consider a prescribed burn every 3 to 5years to maintain grass and forb cover.

Preserve abandoned buildings.Abandoned house and barn buildings provideshelter for barn owls, barn swallows, rabbits, andraccoons. If it is necessary to remove the buildings,consider keeping the surrounding trees and shrubs.Plant mast and berry-producing trees in the area.

Install birdbaths, birdhouses, and bat boxes.Birdbath water will attract insect- and fruit-eatingbirds that ignore birdfeeder seed. More than 24 NorthAmerican bird species will nest in birdhouses thatprovide nesting cavities in the absence of snags. Donot put birdhouses built for the same bird speciesnext to each other, unless you like to see bird fights.For more information, see the US Fish and WildlifeService publication "Homes for Birds" at the followingwebsite: http://www.bcpl.lib.md.us/~tross/by/attract.html. Also, the Bat Conservation Trust hasadvice on bat houses at http://www.bats.org.uk/batbox.htm.

Control pets.Domestic cats are among the most serious predatorsof songbirds and quail. Unleashed dogs often disturbnesting birds, run deer, and chase livestock. While itis tempting to let pets roam free in the country, it issafer to confine pets to your yard.

Discourage scavenging wildlife.It is not healthy for wildlife to depend on processedfoods. Store garbage and animal feed in aluminumcans with secure lids. Put away cat food, dog chow,and water dishes at night. Plug holes to preventunwanted access to outbuildings.

Plant native trees, shrubs, and forbs.You can double the number of birds in your yardthrough diverse plantings that provide food year-round. Preserve existing native plants and addothers. Native plants are adapted to local conditionsand can be more drought-tolerant and resistant topests than ornamental plants. See the list below forthings to plant.

Wildlife Food Source Plants (native and acceptable non-native species)

FlowersGround CoversTrees Shrubs

Balsamrootblack-eyed susanbleeding heartcardinal flowercolumbineconeflowerdaisyfoxglovefuschiairislupinemilkweedpenstemonpoppysweet alyssumsunfloweryarrow

Big leaf maplebirchBrewer's sprucecascaraDouglas-firfilbertgrand firhawthornincense cedarKousa dogwoodnoble firOregon white oakPacific crabapplered alderred and blue elderberryshore pinevine maplewestern hemlockwestern red cedarwestern white pine

Blueberrybutterfly bushDouglas spireaevergreen huckleberrylilacmockorangeOregon grapepyracanthared flowering currantred-osier dogwoodserviceberrysnowberrywild roses (bald hip,Nootka, and Wood's)

BunchberryKinnickkinnicksalalvioletswild strawberrywood sorrel

4 FACT SHEET NO. 16

Pastures as Wildlife HabitatPlant warm-season grasses.Paddocks planted to big bluestem, littlebluestem, or switchgrass will produceforage in the summer. These areas maybe left undisturbed in the spring andharvested for forage in late July orAugust. This forage is provided whencool-season grasses are dormant andafter the peak nesting season.

Add legumes to pasture and hayland.Legumes add nitrogen to the soil andreduce fertilizer requirements forforage. Grasses and legumes attractinsects that support insect-eatinganimals, supply browse, and providenesting cover.

Limit pesticide use.Insecticides such as organophosphateand carbofuran are extremely harmfulto wildlife. For example, carbofuranwill kill burrowing owls upon contact.Give nests and burrows wide berthwhen spraying. Find alternatives topesticides when possible and usepesticides only when the cost ofpesticides is outweighed by the damageto the crop. Select pesticides that arethe least toxic to wildlife, follow thelabel, and keep chemicals away fromwater.

Install fences that are safe forwildlife.Smooth wire is safer for wildlife thanbarbed or woven wire. Space wire at 16,22, 28, and 40 inches from the groundto allow antelope, deer, and elk to passthe fence with reduced damage tothemselves and the fence. The 12-inchgap between the two top wires keepsanimals from getting tangled in thefence. Some livestock may needdifferent wire spacing. See your fencedealer for details.

Preserve or plant a windbreak oftrees, shrubs, and forbs.One report estimates that birdsconsume up to 260 pounds of insectsper half-mile windbreak each year.Windbreaks also protect livestock fromharsh weather, control wind erosion,increase field moisture, trap snowdrifts,and provide travel corridors for wildlife.See the next page for details.

More than 99 percent of grasslandsnative to Columbia Basin or theWillamette Valley have disappeared.Old fields and pastures on private landcan make up for some of this habitatloss. More wildlife is found on farmswith pastures than those with croplandonly.

In eastern Oregon, grasslands areimportant to migratory birds, lizards,and rare mammals including theSwainson's hawk, sagebrush lizard,burrowing owl, and the Washingtonground squirrel. In western Oregon,meadows are important to songbirdsand butterflies, including the Westernmeadowlark, Fender's blue butterfly,grasshopper sparrow, horned lark, andwestern bluebird.

To increase wildlife habitat onpasture, consider the following:

Delay spring mowing or increase thetime intervals between grazing.April 1 to August 1 is prime nestingseason. Grazing or mowing at this timecan kill adults and their nestlings orcause adults to abandon nests. Sincethis time also produces the most forage,some farmers set aside one "refuge" fieldfor wildlife. This field can be grazedbefore April 1 and mowed after August 1to accommodate nesting.

Increase the time intervals betweengrazing.Rotationally grazed pastures have twiceas many songbirds as those that arecontinuously grazed. Livestock is movedbetween paddocks to provide grass arecovery period and to increase yield.Manure droppings increase grassgrowth and insects, which in turnprovide cover and food for wildlife.

Savannah Sparrow


© Christine Holden, US Fish and Wildlife Service


The Windbreak as Wildlife HabitatFifty-seven bird species use

windbreaks in the United States.Studies show that you will attract morebirds per fencerow if it has a mix oftrees, shrubs, and grass than one withonly grass. Trees attract hawks andowls, while short trees and shrubsattract ground nesters. Decaying treesprovide food and nest sites for someanimals. Most wildlife will begin topopulate a new windbreak after 5 years.

A typical windbreak has four to sixrows of trees and shrubs. However, themore windbreak rows, the better forwildlife. Plant rows perpendicular to theprevailing winds. In areas with snow,make sure the most windward row is atleast 100-200 feet from buildings,driveways, and feed bunks to provide forsnowdrifts. Or plant one or two shrubrows 50 feet windward of the mainwindbreak to trap snow.

Typical Windbreak

Plant type No. of SpacingRows Within Rows*

Conifer tree 2-3 6-20 feet(windward row)

Deciduous tree 1-2 6-15 feet(middle row)

Shrub 1 3-6 feet(leeward row)

*Spacing between rows is typically 12-16 feet.

Create a "wildlife windbreak" byproviding the following:

Perch poles, snags and birdhouses.Add birdhouses or at least three snags(standing dead trees) per fence row mileto encourage cavity nesters. Rock andbrush piles within the windbreak willadd cover.

Food plots or fruit-bearing shrubs onthe lee side.Windbreaks provide shelter from thewind. Food plots may also get a chanceto warm up in the sun, especially duringthe cold months.

Windbreaks between differenthabitats.Wildlife prefer using a travel corridorbetween food and cover sites, e.g. awindbreak connecting a woodlot andwetland.

However, windbreaks are not theanswer for every situation. Do notplant windbreaks in wide expanses ofgrassland. Some grassland species willbe at higher risk from predators andcowbird parasitism. Overgrownfencerows may also support noxiousweeds which should be pulled, clippedor spot-sprayed for removal.

A Native Plant WindbreakConsider these plants, which are

native cover and food sources, for yourwindbreak:

Native trees and shrubs areavailable at nurseries, the OregonDepartment of Forestry, and some soiland water conservation districts.

Douglas-fir Oregon white oak Mockorangewestern hemlock big leaf maple red and blue elderberrywestern red cedar vine maple red flowering current

red alder serviceberrybirch snowberry

wild roses(bald hip, Nootka)

ShrubsConifers Deciduous Trees

Kestrel



6 FACT SHEET NO. 16

Forest as Wildlife HabitatSquirrel



Forests grow in stages, startingwith an event that opens up a standsuch as fire, insect and disease attacks,or timber harvest. These areas thennaturally progress to grasses, shrubs,seedling trees, saplings, mature trees,and finally to old-growth trees. Mostforests on private lands have beenrecently cleared and are in the youngforest stages. Young forest wildlifeincludes deer, elk, chipmunks, juncos,western bluebirds, red squirrels, ruffedgrouse, and MacGillivray's warbler. Toencourage more wildlife in your forest,consider the following:

Preserve or create snags and downlogs.Almost 30 percent of the amphibians,reptiles, birds, and mammals in aforest use snags or down logs at sometime. Private woodlands in Oregonhave the potential of increasing cavitynesters by 60 to 94 percent. Avoiddisturbing existing large down logs,stumps and uprooted stumps. Increasethe number of large-diameter snags to10 or more per acre. Girdle non-marketable trees that must be cut froma stand and leave for a snag. This canreduce removal costs and damage fromfelling culled trees.

Make brush piles from slash.Woody debris provides food and coverfor salamanders, snakes, smallmammals, and birds that in turnbecome food for forest carnivores andraptors. Stack limbs from felled treesinto piles and place piles near forestedges. A pipe laid under the pile willprovide space for hiding. Leaving slashsaves time and labor for removal andreturns nutrients to the soil. In dryareas, you will need to balance thewildlife benefits with fire hazards. Formore information on fire protection,contact a USDA Forest Service office orOregon Department of Forestry officefor the publication "Home ProtectionGuide."

Favor mast-producing trees like oak,maple, and ash.Mast is the berries, nuts, and seeds oftrees that provide food for wildlife. Oakwoodlands, a rare habitat in theWillamette Valley, supports more than150 different kinds of wildlife, includingthe acorn woodpecker, the sharptailsnake, and western gray squirrel. Masttrees can also provide timber, seedsources, and diversity against insectand disease infestations.

Seed trails, logging roads, and forestopenings to grasses and legumes.Grasses and legumes control erosionand increase insects, nesting cover, andforage for wildlife. Allow shrubs, vines,and native blackberries to develop onthe forest edge where they can protectthe woodland from drying winds andwhere timber quality is usually poorer.

Increase woodlot diversity.As the number of different plantsincrease in a woodlot, the more wildlifecan find the food and shelter they need.Uneven-aged forest stands have morediversity than even-aged stands thatresult from clearcuts. During thinningoperations, consider keeping patches ofunthinned or overtopped trees. Protectrare tree populations of Oregon whiteoak forests, Willamette Valleyponderosa pine, and Columbia Basinshrub-steppe.


The Wetland as Wildlife HabitatGreat Blue Heron


© Christine Holden, USFish and Wildlife Service

Less than 15 to 62 percent of thehistoric wetlands remain in Oregon. Awetland is an area with wet soils orstanding water that can support water-tolerant plants, be it a marsh, a wetstreamside, or seasonal pond. Thesevaluable areas filter pollutants, provideflood control, recharge groundwater, andenhance wildlife habitat. Wetlandssupport mammals, waterbirds, turtles,amphibians, and songbirds, includingthe yellow rail, great blue heron,western pond turtle, Oregon spottedfrog, red-legged frog, marsh wren, andmany ducks and geese. Here are someways to protect wetland habitats:

Do nothing.Wetland "enhancement" often meanschanging wetlands to meet people'sdesires. This is not always best for thewetland or the wildlife it supports. Ahealthy wetland has a thriving nativeplant and wildlife community. Adegraded wetland has noxious weedsand no longer provides many of thewetland benefits. For example, adegraded wetland that is choked withinvasive reed canarygrass and filledwith sediment may be improved withweed control and excavation. Seek thehelp of a professional if consideringmajor wetland changes. Otherwise,consider the small-scale improvementsthat follow...

Fence and buffer the wetland.Fencing is one of the easiest ways toprotect a wetland from livestock andpeople pressure. Consider replacingpasture or lawn with native trees,shrubs, and plants. Native plantsrequire less maintenance, as they areusually more drought-tolerant and pest-resistant than cultivated areas. Seeother fact sheets in this series for moreinformation on fencing and riparianareas.

Plant native vegetation.Although exotic plants may be attractiveto you, wildlife are more likely to usenative plants. Use caution whenplanting near open water. Too manyplants or the wrong kind can choke apond. If the wetland is not degraded,avoid planting.

Remove noxious or exotic plants.Noxious weeds are not native to thearea and grow unchecked by theirnatural enemies. Their biology allowsthem to spread rapidly and they quicklytake over natural communities. Contactyour county weed control board,Extension Service office, or OregonDepartment of Agriculture NoxiousWeed Program at (503) 986-4621, to geta list of noxious weeds and the bestways to control them

Designate trails.Trails can increase your enjoyment andappreciation of wetlands. Trails alsokeep disturbances to a minimum andprovide wildlife with unbrokenstretches of habitat. Paths may benatural, lined with wood chips (makesure chips are not treated withpesticides), or a boardwalk. Avoidgravel as it is noisy and may reduceyour wildlife sightings.

Identify and preserve seasonalponds.Seasonal ponds are often little morethan large depressions in the groundthat hold water until the dry months.The combination of water, insects, andlack of fish or other predators makesthese areas prime breeding habitat foramphibians. Frog calls in the springand wetland plants will help you locatethe ponds. Retain woody debris, litterdepth, and plant cover in these areas.

Avoid stocking fish.Fish stocking may be appealing, but itis rarely beneficial to a wetland andmay be illegal. Non-native fish or fishnot found in adjacent waterways mayescape into local waters and throw thenatural community out of balance. Thisoften happens during a flood. Consult aprofessional before stocking fish.

8 FACT SHEET NO. 16

ForHelpForHelp

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternativemeans for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington,D.C., 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

Cropland as Wildlife HabitatRaccoon

© Christine Holden,US Fish and Wildlife

Service

© Christine Holden, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Limit pesticide use.Use buffer zones to guard against drift andrunoff into important or unique habitats,such as wetlands. Where practical, eliminateuse of pesticides around field edges, corners,fencerows, nesting sites, streams, andwetlands. Find alternatives to pesticideswhen possible and use pesticides only whenthe cost of pesticides is outweighed by thedamage to the crop. Select pesticides thatare the least toxic to wildlife, spray in theevening when bees are less active, and followthe label directions.

The Buzz About BeesAbout 30 percent of our diet is the result

of a bee pollinating the flower of a fruit treeor a vegetable plant. Surprisingly, most ofthe 5,000 native bee species in the UnitedStates are solitary and nest in holes in theground or in twigs. Since these bees do nothave to defend a hive, they are notaggressive and rarely sting. You canencourage these friendly bees by building abee box. Follow these easy steps:1. Use a block of untreated lumber (3 to 5

inches thick).2. Drill 1/8-inch to 5/16-inch diameter holes

about 90 percent of the way into theblock. The 5/16-inch holes work best fororchard bees that are good pollinators offruit trees.

3. Space the holes about 1/2-inch to 3/4-inchapart.

4. Hang your bee blocks under roof eaves ora thick tree branch for protection fromsun and rain.

Leave unharvested rows on field edges.Leave unharvested grain, legume, andgrass strips along fencerows, at fencecorner, and in forest borders to providefood, nesting, and travel lanes next tocover.

Avoid mowing grassed waterways andgrass strips during the nesting season.Grassy areas like waterways, grass stripsalong fence lines, and odd areas in fieldcorners can be left undisturbed from April1 to August 1 to protect nests. Waterwayscan also provide food, cover, and travellanes through cropland.

Practice conservation tillage.This type of tillage leaves at least 30percent plant residue on the soil.Migratory birds will stop to eat wastegrain and weed seeds on their flight south.Canada geese and northern flickers mayuse these fields during the winter.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and soil and water conservation districtsprovide on-site advice to create, restore, or protect stream corridors, wildlife habitat, andwetlands through several cost-share programs. Cost-share programs include theConservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program,Wetland Reserve Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. Look up your localoffice in the phone book's blue pages under federal government, Department of Agriculture.The US Fish and Wildlife's Partners for Fish and Wildlife and Jobs in the Woods Programsfund projects that create, enhance, or restore wetlands and stream corridors on privatelands. Look up your local office in the phone book's blue pages under federal government.The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Habitat Conservation andManagement, Riparian Tax Incentive, and Naturescaping programs provide technical help,wildlife plans, and tax incentives for projects that create, improve or protect wildlifehabitat. Look up your local office in the phone book's blue pages under state government.

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