Urban Environments & Landscaping for Wildlife

Mark HostetlerExtension Wildlife Specialist

Department of Wildlife Ecology & ConservationIFAS, University of Florida

Overview

• Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Wildlife

• Florida bird monitoring program

• How to certify your yard

• Landscaping for birds

• Urban environments – people, wildlife, and impact

Florida Cooperative Extension Service – WildlifeWho are we?

– Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, IFAS, University of Florida

What do we do?– In issues regarding wildlife

• Advise the public• Develop educational programs• Disseminate information• Conduct research

Available Wildlife Information?

• Landscaping for wildlife

• Conservation and management of wildlife

• Human/wildlife conflict

• Detailed information on species

• Wildlife education programs

• Web site: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension– Print on demand– Links and information– Educational programs

• Call your local extension office

• Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or visit www.state.fl.us/fwc

Where to Go for Info?

Urban Environments

• Over 77% of people in North America

live in urban areas

Residential Developments

• Impact on Natural Resources:

• Energy, Water, and Natural Habitat

• All animals need:–Food–Cover–Water–Space

Landscaping for Wildlife

Photo by Joe Schaefer

Habitat

Birds?

R.-thr. HummingbirdY.-rumped Warbler

Northern Mockingbird Red-tailed HawkO.-crowned Warbler

Life History Stages of a Bird

Egg Baby Bird Immature Adult

Reproductive Adult

Seasons of a Bird

• Breeding

• Wintering (non-breeding season)

• Migrating (Fall and Spring Migration )

Range Map – House Wren

Summer

Winter

Year-round Species

Northern Mockingbird

Carolina ChickadeeScreech Owl

Tufted Titmouse

Migratory Species

Red-eyed Vireo American Goldfinch

American Redstart

Partial Migrants

Your Yard

Different species may appear in your

yard at different times of the year

Can Serve As:A breeding siteA wintering siteA stop-over site(A dispersal site)

Providing Habitat for Birds

FOOD

Provide Insects

Photos courtesy of www.flwildflowers.com

Insect Eaters

Hairy Woodpecker

Yellow Warbler

Great-crested Flycatcher

Insect Habitat = Bird Habitat

• Plant native species

• Reduce pesticide use - Spot treat

- Use alternative methods of insect control

• Reduce the amount of mowed lawn - Design islands of “wild” areas

• Save dead trees (snags)

Suet/Peanut Butter Feeder

• During winter, stock a wire cage with peanut butter or suet

Provide Seed

Seed Eaters

White-crowned SparrowHouse Finch

Tufted TitmouseBlue Jay

Seed Feeders

• Hanging feeders

• Platform feeders

Provide Fruit

• Plant native fruit species– Many different plant species produce fruit

(hollies, cedar trees, beauty berries, wax myrtles)

www.flwildflowers.com

Beautyberry Holly spp.

Provide Nectar

(¼ cup of sugar to 1 cup of hot water)

• Provide a hummingbird

feeder

Trumpet vine

• Plant species with

red, tubular flowers

www.flwildflowers.com

Fruit and Nectar Eaters

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Brown ThrasherCedar Waxwing

Northern Mockingbird

Provide Meat

Meat Eaters

Barred Owl

Loggerhead Shrike

Great-horned Owl

COVER

Cavities

• Cavities are in

short supply in

neighborhoods

Primary Cavity Nesters

Hairy WoodpeckerHairy Woodpecker

Pileated Woodpecker

Secondary Cavity Nesters

• Photos of owls, titmice, chickadees, etc.Tufted Titmouse

Great-crested Flycatcher

Carolina Chickadee

Eastern Bluebird

Providing Cavities

• Leave a snag on your property

(woodpeckers)

• Provide a nesting box

(secondary cavity

nesters)

Vegetation for Cover

• Plant or maintain a variety of plant species

• Increase vertical height diversity

Organized Chaos

• Stop mowing!

WATER

Water

• Bird baths

• Running water

• Ponds

Space

Example: Trees and a Bird

Scale-dependent Decisions of a Wren and a Hawk

TractHome Range

Habitat PatchesFood Patches

TractHome Range

Habitat PatchesFood Patches

HAWK

WREN

Different Birds Make Decisions at Different

Scales

Larger birds = broader scales and larger patch sizes

Smaller birds = limited scales and smaller patch sizes

How To Plan For Space?

• Be aware of habitats surrounding your property and plan accordingly

• Think about the size of the bird

• Talk with your neighbors (e.g., plan bigger patches)

• Experiment!

• Embrace uncertainty!

Summary

• Bird Habitat – food, cover, water , & space

• Food - plant for insects, fruit, nectar & small animals; provide bird feeders

• Life Stages – breeding, wintering, & migration

Summary

• Cover - vertical height diversity; “wild areas”; keep snags, provide nest boxes

• Water – ponds, bird baths, running water

• Space – scale and bird size, talk with neighbors, group vegetation

TOP TEN TIPS!

By Joe Schaefer

1. Limit the Amount of Lawn

2. Increase Vertical Layering

3. Provide Snags

4. Provide Water

5. Plant Native Vegetation

6. Provide Bird/Bat Houses & Feeders

7. Remove Invasive Exotic Plants

8. Manage Pets

9. Expand the Scale

10. Reduce Pesticide Use

Design Process

First year Third year

Get to Know Your Property

• OBSERVATION– Shady areas

– Wet areas– High traffic areas

– Existing plants – Views

– Topography

Step 1

Draw a Base Plan

• Sketch your site (to scale)

– Draw property lines– House, driveway– Fences, any other human-built structure

Step 2

Sketch Existing Landscape Structure

• Water (where is it? where does it go?)

• Views (good views and unsightly views)

• Type of soil

• Plants (what kind, where are they?)

• Topography (low and high ground)

Step 3

Checklist of Desired Uses

• Functional areas –

humans

Step 4

• Functional areas –

wildlife

Create a Diagram

• Draw your

future landscape

Step 5

Bird Monitoring Program

Birds?

R.-thr. HummingbirdY.-rumped Warbler

Northern Mockingbird Red-tailed HawkO.-crowned Warbler

• Create simple, standardized methods to survey birds

• Create a Web site linked to a data base where participants can enter and view collected bird data

Objectives

Utility

• Can measure how bird diversity changes over time

• Participants can compare results and interact with other birders

• Participants interact with their environment

• Added component for any educational or experiential program

Point Count

• Stationary survey of birds in a given area

• Used for small lots or landscapes where it is difficult to walk through

Point Count

20 m

10 minutes

Transect Count

• A route is walked and birds are counted on each side

• Used for large properties or surveys of neighborhoods

Transect Count

20 m

20 m

Enter and View Data

• Participants enter data through the Web site (need User ID and Survey Code)

• Anybody can view the results online

THE WEB SITE!

Florida Bird Monitoring Program

http://bird.ifas.ufl.edu

Florida Wildlife Habitat Program

Backyard Program:

• Contact local county extension office

• Participants describe current yard, wildlife seen and future landscaping plans

• Yard is evaluated and recommendations made

Upon certification, participants receive a certificate and sign

Summary

•Wildlife Info: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension

•Landscaping for birds:

- Food, Cover, Water, and Space

- Top Ten Tips

•Bird monitoring program

•Certify your yard

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Developed byDeveloped by: :

Dr. Mark Hostetler, Department of WildlifeDr. Mark Hostetler, Department of WildlifeEcology and Conservation, IFAS, Ecology and Conservation, IFAS,

University of Florida, 2001.University of Florida, 2001.

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Photo & Sound Credits:Photo & Sound Credits:

Mark Hostetler, Joe Schafer, and Dan SudiaMark Hostetler, Joe Schafer, and Dan Sudia

USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos):USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos):http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html

FL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.eduFL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu

Flower Photos:Flower Photos:Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com