MP478

12 WILDLIFE HABITAT TIPS FOR SMALL ACREAGES

University of Arkansas United States Department of Agriculture and County Governments Cooperating

12 WILDLIFE HABITAT TIPS

FOR SMALL ACREAGES

By Becky McPeake Associate Professor ndash Wildlife

Introduction 1

Plan for Success 2

Unique Ecosystems 3

Tips for Managing Wildlife Habitat 4

1 Go native 4

2 Disk lightly no seeds required 7

3 Burn burn burn 7

4 Mow high and inside out 7

5 Supplemental feeding is for the birds (not mammals) 8

6 Good soil Good wildlife 10

7 Save pests limit pesticides 10

8 Water water everywhere but not enough to drink 11

9 Thickets and brushpiles and brambles on my 12

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags 13

11 Home is where the nest is 14

12 If in doubt find out 17

References and Acknowledgments 21

Cover Photo Credits ATV photo by Chris Stuhlinger University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture northern mockingbird photo by Ryan Hagerty US Fish and Wildlife Service tracks photo by Robert G Price USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service cutting tree with ax photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and nest box photo by Keith Weller USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Introduction

Many Arkansans enjoy seeing wildlife on their property What private landowners do with their land directly affects wildlife populashytions in the state An estimated 82 percent of the total land base in Arkansas is privately owned (Figure 1) Surveys show that although many Arkansas landowners would like to do more for wildlife on their property many do not know what to do This is particularly the case for landowners with less than 40 acres whose landshyholdings are located on the fringe of cities or rural communities

State 2

Federal 16

Private 82

Figure 1 Number of acres in federal state and private land ownership in Arkansas Data from the National Wilderness Institute 1995

Often landowners assume that wildlife will remain on their property permanently if they improve food and cover areas Implementing a few habitat improvements on small acreages can help wildlife such as squirrels rabbits frogs turtles butterflies and songbirds However the home ranges of deer wild turkey and black bear can be more than 1000 acres These species will travel great distances to meet their seasonal needs for food and cover Small acreages may not gain a permanent flock of turkeys but those lands may become an important part of their range (Figure 2) As a small acreage landowner your efforts can make a difference even if wildlife inhabit your land only seasonally or temporarily

Figure 2 Wild turkeys use forest openings for bugging and nesting Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Sometimes landowners question if theyshould manage habitat or leave it alone and let nature take its course The answer depends onthe type of habitat and wildlife that currently exist on your property and your habitat goals Italso depends on the habitat and wildlife in surrounding properties Implementing a habitatpractice could benefit some wildlife species andbe detrimental to others However practically every landholding can benefit from some habitat management

Change is continually taking place in natureSome early successional habitats (eg grassshylands) change dramatically in a year or twowhile mature forests change gradually over acentury or longer For bobwhites wild turkeydeer bluebirds cottontails and frogs a good management choice is to offer a mix of covertypes Smaller landholdings may not be large enough to provide a diversity of cover Find outwhat habitat is missing in your area that will attract the wildlife species you are interested inhaving on your property

The first step is to make a wildlife manageshyment plan Select your wildlife species andplan your habitat accordingly The next sectiondescribes management practices that will improve small acreages for wildlife Some

1

habitat practices require more investment of timeand resources than others The last section describes resources available for helpingimprove your property for wildlife

Plan for Success

extremely slow) to keep grasslands in an earlysuccessional stage The sequence of whenthese disturbances occur should be labeled on the map In summary a good wildlife management

plan contains the following A good wildlife management plan will

improve the chances of attaining wildlife andachieving your habitat goals on your property Ahabitat plan outlines a course of action so thatgood habitat is created for one or more selectedspecies and not inadvertently destroyed A planwill also identify a sequence for implementinghabitat practices to maximize efficiency and proshyduce the best outcomes for wildlife Manageshyment plans are not static ndash they are workingdocuments that change depending on plantresponses to your practices wildlife usageeconomic costs seed availability the weatherand other factors

Match your management plan to the wildlifespecies you want to encourage It is useful totarget your habitat management toward specific species or feature species Those habitat manageshyment practices which benefit a feature specieswill also likely benefit a host of other wildliferequiring similar habitat Conversely some habishytat practices may reduce or harm habitat forother wildlife It is important to recognize whatyou are ldquogiving uprdquo as well A simple exampleis creating small openings of lt 5 acres in amature oak forest Openings may benefit turkeybut reduce habitat for gray squirrels and woodshypeckers These tradeoffs need to be consideredcarefully before implementing any habitatpractice

A map aids in identifying where habitatimprovements are needed on your property Thesize and arrangement of newly created habitataffect speciesrsquo responses Cottontails do well inhabitat consisting of clovers and native forbsnative warmshyseason grasses blackberry thicketsand brushpiles in areas of one to five acresBobwhites use this habitat but they also needshrubby areas woodlands and old fields within40 to 80 acres As such the landowner needs to visualize the location of current and future habishytat on a map Some habitats require periodicmaintenance such as burning or mowing everyone to three years (or up to five years if growth is

bull A clear set of objectives identifying thefeature species with easily made measureshyments to assess success For example a goodobjective would be ldquoIncrease the number ofnesting eastern bluebirds on the propertyrdquo

bull A written description of the area includingits location number of acres soil type(s)land use vegetative cover and currentwildlife populations

bull Habitat requirements for the feature speciesFor example eastern bluebirds are cavitynesters so they require snags andor artifishycial nesting structures Bluebirds thrive onthe edge of open areas including old fieldspastures yards and utility rightshyofshywaysThese open areas should harbor plenty ofinsects (their food source) and be locatednear scattered areas of hardwoods

bull A plan of action for implementing the manshyagement practices Use a sketch map or markon an aerial photograph to illustrate whereyour habitat practices will be implemented(Figure 3) Aerial photographs are availableat no charge from the Natural ResourcesConservation Service or the Farm Service

Figure 3 An example of how an aerial photo of your property and surrounding properties can help with planning and improving wildlife habitat

2

Unique Ecosystems Conducting a habitat assessment is important

before making changes to your property Is your property part of a unique contiguous mature forshyest swampy bottomland hardwoods unbroken prairie forest glade or river canebreak Following are descriptions of these unique ecosystems

bull Mature forest If you own a few acres of mature forest near a greater expanse

Audubon Arkansas of forest consider avoiding Glades vary management practices by soil depth type of bedrock moisture and topogshywhich greatly disturb this raphy Typically glades are found on southerly or ecosystem A contiguous westerly facing slopes Although the soil is mostly forest benefits a number of dry particularly in summer months pockets of areashysensitive species many water may be present These seemingly barren of which are considered areas are of considerable ecological interest A varishyspecies of concern in ety of plants thrive in such environments some of Arkansas An example is the which are rare such as insectivorous plants called pileated woodpecker (Figshy sundews and bladderworts ure A) which lives in mature bull Canebreak Native canebreaks occur along forests and requires large rivers and streams and are prime wildlife habitat territories of 160 to 250 acres Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) can grow to a These large birds nest in height of 4 to 20 feet with leaf blades in groups of 3 dead trees at least 12 inches to 5 inches long and at least frac12shyinch wide tapering to in diameter They feed upon a point The stem is hollow and woody perfect for carpenter ants which help homemade cane fishing poles Although river cane

as a species is not imperiled historically large forests expanses of cane no longer exist The possibly

extinct Bachmanrsquos warbler may have been a caneshybull Tallgrass prairie Prairies attract a number of dependent species as also the extinct passenger unique species such as the eastern meadowlark pigeon and Carolina parakeet Several species of grasshopper sparrow and ornate box turtle Prairie butterflies and bird species such as the Swainsonrsquos grasslands have never been plowed Trees are either and hooded warbler nest in canebreaks Many absent or widely scattered on the landscape Tallshy species such as deer black bear and swamp rabbit grass prairies are dominated by grasses such as big seek cover in cane Deer and rabbits feed on tender bluestem and Indian grass as well as a large numshy new growth Historically wild turkey used cane ber of other species of grasses and wildflowers The Bobwhites are known to inhabit short cane in vegetation sometimes reaches a height of 10 feet or frequently burned pine flatwoods The seeds of more Periodic disturbance such as a prescribed native cane are reported to have more nutrients burn is necessary to prevent woody growth from than rice or wheat Native cane can be difficult invading the prairie to distinguish from its nonshynative invasivecounterpart Asian varieties are difficult to control bull Bottomland hardwood forest These wetland and should not be planted as a substitute for forests are found along rivers and streams generally native cane in broad floodplains Wetlands are areas where

water covers the soil or is present either at or near These increasinglyshyrare ecosystems attract the soil surface for varying periods of time during unique plants and animals To learn more about the year or all year Wetlands are comprised of difshy managing these habitats contact the resources ferent species of gum (Nyssa sp) oak (Quercus sp) listed near the end of this publication including and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) which have the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission the ability to survive in areas that are either seasonshy (httpwwwnaturalheritagecom 501shy324shy9619) Some ally flooded or covered with water much of the government and nonprofit organizations are year Oftentimes other than controlling invasive interested in preserving these types of habitats and species minimal management is required for this may offer financial incentives for implementing selfshysustaining habitat habitat practices

bull Glade Glades (Figshyure B) are rocky open areas with exposed rock and little or no soil These areas have no tree canopy and very little shrubs

Figure B A unique nepheline syenite glade in Pulaski County Arkansas Photo by Mary Smith

recycle dead or decaying wood in these mature

Figure A Pileated woodshypeckers live in mature forests where minimal habitat management is necessary Photo by Mike Ostry USDA Forest Servicendash North Central Research Station Archive USDA Forest Service Bugwoodorg

3

12 WILDLIFE HABITAT TIPS

FOR SMALL ACREAGES

By Becky McPeake Associate Professor ndash Wildlife

Introduction 1

Plan for Success 2

Unique Ecosystems 3

Tips for Managing Wildlife Habitat 4

1 Go native 4

2 Disk lightly no seeds required 7

3 Burn burn burn 7

4 Mow high and inside out 7

5 Supplemental feeding is for the birds (not mammals) 8

6 Good soil Good wildlife 10

7 Save pests limit pesticides 10

8 Water water everywhere but not enough to drink 11

9 Thickets and brushpiles and brambles on my 12

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags 13

11 Home is where the nest is 14

12 If in doubt find out 17

References and Acknowledgments 21

Cover Photo Credits ATV photo by Chris Stuhlinger University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture northern mockingbird photo by Ryan Hagerty US Fish and Wildlife Service tracks photo by Robert G Price USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service cutting tree with ax photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and nest box photo by Keith Weller USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Introduction

Many Arkansans enjoy seeing wildlife on their property What private landowners do with their land directly affects wildlife populashytions in the state An estimated 82 percent of the total land base in Arkansas is privately owned (Figure 1) Surveys show that although many Arkansas landowners would like to do more for wildlife on their property many do not know what to do This is particularly the case for landowners with less than 40 acres whose landshyholdings are located on the fringe of cities or rural communities

State 2

Federal 16

Private 82

Figure 1 Number of acres in federal state and private land ownership in Arkansas Data from the National Wilderness Institute 1995

Often landowners assume that wildlife will remain on their property permanently if they improve food and cover areas Implementing a few habitat improvements on small acreages can help wildlife such as squirrels rabbits frogs turtles butterflies and songbirds However the home ranges of deer wild turkey and black bear can be more than 1000 acres These species will travel great distances to meet their seasonal needs for food and cover Small acreages may not gain a permanent flock of turkeys but those lands may become an important part of their range (Figure 2) As a small acreage landowner your efforts can make a difference even if wildlife inhabit your land only seasonally or temporarily

Figure 2 Wild turkeys use forest openings for bugging and nesting Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Sometimes landowners question if theyshould manage habitat or leave it alone and let nature take its course The answer depends onthe type of habitat and wildlife that currently exist on your property and your habitat goals Italso depends on the habitat and wildlife in surrounding properties Implementing a habitatpractice could benefit some wildlife species andbe detrimental to others However practically every landholding can benefit from some habitat management

Change is continually taking place in natureSome early successional habitats (eg grassshylands) change dramatically in a year or twowhile mature forests change gradually over acentury or longer For bobwhites wild turkeydeer bluebirds cottontails and frogs a good management choice is to offer a mix of covertypes Smaller landholdings may not be large enough to provide a diversity of cover Find outwhat habitat is missing in your area that will attract the wildlife species you are interested inhaving on your property

The first step is to make a wildlife manageshyment plan Select your wildlife species andplan your habitat accordingly The next sectiondescribes management practices that will improve small acreages for wildlife Some

1

habitat practices require more investment of timeand resources than others The last section describes resources available for helpingimprove your property for wildlife

Plan for Success

extremely slow) to keep grasslands in an earlysuccessional stage The sequence of whenthese disturbances occur should be labeled on the map In summary a good wildlife management

plan contains the following A good wildlife management plan will

improve the chances of attaining wildlife andachieving your habitat goals on your property Ahabitat plan outlines a course of action so thatgood habitat is created for one or more selectedspecies and not inadvertently destroyed A planwill also identify a sequence for implementinghabitat practices to maximize efficiency and proshyduce the best outcomes for wildlife Manageshyment plans are not static ndash they are workingdocuments that change depending on plantresponses to your practices wildlife usageeconomic costs seed availability the weatherand other factors

Match your management plan to the wildlifespecies you want to encourage It is useful totarget your habitat management toward specific species or feature species Those habitat manageshyment practices which benefit a feature specieswill also likely benefit a host of other wildliferequiring similar habitat Conversely some habishytat practices may reduce or harm habitat forother wildlife It is important to recognize whatyou are ldquogiving uprdquo as well A simple exampleis creating small openings of lt 5 acres in amature oak forest Openings may benefit turkeybut reduce habitat for gray squirrels and woodshypeckers These tradeoffs need to be consideredcarefully before implementing any habitatpractice

A map aids in identifying where habitatimprovements are needed on your property Thesize and arrangement of newly created habitataffect speciesrsquo responses Cottontails do well inhabitat consisting of clovers and native forbsnative warmshyseason grasses blackberry thicketsand brushpiles in areas of one to five acresBobwhites use this habitat but they also needshrubby areas woodlands and old fields within40 to 80 acres As such the landowner needs to visualize the location of current and future habishytat on a map Some habitats require periodicmaintenance such as burning or mowing everyone to three years (or up to five years if growth is

bull A clear set of objectives identifying thefeature species with easily made measureshyments to assess success For example a goodobjective would be ldquoIncrease the number ofnesting eastern bluebirds on the propertyrdquo

bull A written description of the area includingits location number of acres soil type(s)land use vegetative cover and currentwildlife populations

bull Habitat requirements for the feature speciesFor example eastern bluebirds are cavitynesters so they require snags andor artifishycial nesting structures Bluebirds thrive onthe edge of open areas including old fieldspastures yards and utility rightshyofshywaysThese open areas should harbor plenty ofinsects (their food source) and be locatednear scattered areas of hardwoods

bull A plan of action for implementing the manshyagement practices Use a sketch map or markon an aerial photograph to illustrate whereyour habitat practices will be implemented(Figure 3) Aerial photographs are availableat no charge from the Natural ResourcesConservation Service or the Farm Service

Figure 3 An example of how an aerial photo of your property and surrounding properties can help with planning and improving wildlife habitat

2

Unique Ecosystems Conducting a habitat assessment is important

before making changes to your property Is your property part of a unique contiguous mature forshyest swampy bottomland hardwoods unbroken prairie forest glade or river canebreak Following are descriptions of these unique ecosystems

bull Mature forest If you own a few acres of mature forest near a greater expanse

Audubon Arkansas of forest consider avoiding Glades vary management practices by soil depth type of bedrock moisture and topogshywhich greatly disturb this raphy Typically glades are found on southerly or ecosystem A contiguous westerly facing slopes Although the soil is mostly forest benefits a number of dry particularly in summer months pockets of areashysensitive species many water may be present These seemingly barren of which are considered areas are of considerable ecological interest A varishyspecies of concern in ety of plants thrive in such environments some of Arkansas An example is the which are rare such as insectivorous plants called pileated woodpecker (Figshy sundews and bladderworts ure A) which lives in mature bull Canebreak Native canebreaks occur along forests and requires large rivers and streams and are prime wildlife habitat territories of 160 to 250 acres Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) can grow to a These large birds nest in height of 4 to 20 feet with leaf blades in groups of 3 dead trees at least 12 inches to 5 inches long and at least frac12shyinch wide tapering to in diameter They feed upon a point The stem is hollow and woody perfect for carpenter ants which help homemade cane fishing poles Although river cane

as a species is not imperiled historically large forests expanses of cane no longer exist The possibly

extinct Bachmanrsquos warbler may have been a caneshybull Tallgrass prairie Prairies attract a number of dependent species as also the extinct passenger unique species such as the eastern meadowlark pigeon and Carolina parakeet Several species of grasshopper sparrow and ornate box turtle Prairie butterflies and bird species such as the Swainsonrsquos grasslands have never been plowed Trees are either and hooded warbler nest in canebreaks Many absent or widely scattered on the landscape Tallshy species such as deer black bear and swamp rabbit grass prairies are dominated by grasses such as big seek cover in cane Deer and rabbits feed on tender bluestem and Indian grass as well as a large numshy new growth Historically wild turkey used cane ber of other species of grasses and wildflowers The Bobwhites are known to inhabit short cane in vegetation sometimes reaches a height of 10 feet or frequently burned pine flatwoods The seeds of more Periodic disturbance such as a prescribed native cane are reported to have more nutrients burn is necessary to prevent woody growth from than rice or wheat Native cane can be difficult invading the prairie to distinguish from its nonshynative invasivecounterpart Asian varieties are difficult to control bull Bottomland hardwood forest These wetland and should not be planted as a substitute for forests are found along rivers and streams generally native cane in broad floodplains Wetlands are areas where

water covers the soil or is present either at or near These increasinglyshyrare ecosystems attract the soil surface for varying periods of time during unique plants and animals To learn more about the year or all year Wetlands are comprised of difshy managing these habitats contact the resources ferent species of gum (Nyssa sp) oak (Quercus sp) listed near the end of this publication including and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) which have the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission the ability to survive in areas that are either seasonshy (httpwwwnaturalheritagecom 501shy324shy9619) Some ally flooded or covered with water much of the government and nonprofit organizations are year Oftentimes other than controlling invasive interested in preserving these types of habitats and species minimal management is required for this may offer financial incentives for implementing selfshysustaining habitat habitat practices

bull Glade Glades (Figshyure B) are rocky open areas with exposed rock and little or no soil These areas have no tree canopy and very little shrubs

Figure B A unique nepheline syenite glade in Pulaski County Arkansas Photo by Mary Smith

recycle dead or decaying wood in these mature

Figure A Pileated woodshypeckers live in mature forests where minimal habitat management is necessary Photo by Mike Ostry USDA Forest Servicendash North Central Research Station Archive USDA Forest Service Bugwoodorg

3

Introduction

Many Arkansans enjoy seeing wildlife on their property What private landowners do with their land directly affects wildlife populashytions in the state An estimated 82 percent of the total land base in Arkansas is privately owned (Figure 1) Surveys show that although many Arkansas landowners would like to do more for wildlife on their property many do not know what to do This is particularly the case for landowners with less than 40 acres whose landshyholdings are located on the fringe of cities or rural communities

State 2

Federal 16

Private 82

Figure 1 Number of acres in federal state and private land ownership in Arkansas Data from the National Wilderness Institute 1995

Often landowners assume that wildlife will remain on their property permanently if they improve food and cover areas Implementing a few habitat improvements on small acreages can help wildlife such as squirrels rabbits frogs turtles butterflies and songbirds However the home ranges of deer wild turkey and black bear can be more than 1000 acres These species will travel great distances to meet their seasonal needs for food and cover Small acreages may not gain a permanent flock of turkeys but those lands may become an important part of their range (Figure 2) As a small acreage landowner your efforts can make a difference even if wildlife inhabit your land only seasonally or temporarily

Figure 2 Wild turkeys use forest openings for bugging and nesting Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

Sometimes landowners question if theyshould manage habitat or leave it alone and let nature take its course The answer depends onthe type of habitat and wildlife that currently exist on your property and your habitat goals Italso depends on the habitat and wildlife in surrounding properties Implementing a habitatpractice could benefit some wildlife species andbe detrimental to others However practically every landholding can benefit from some habitat management

Change is continually taking place in natureSome early successional habitats (eg grassshylands) change dramatically in a year or twowhile mature forests change gradually over acentury or longer For bobwhites wild turkeydeer bluebirds cottontails and frogs a good management choice is to offer a mix of covertypes Smaller landholdings may not be large enough to provide a diversity of cover Find outwhat habitat is missing in your area that will attract the wildlife species you are interested inhaving on your property

The first step is to make a wildlife manageshyment plan Select your wildlife species andplan your habitat accordingly The next sectiondescribes management practices that will improve small acreages for wildlife Some

1

habitat practices require more investment of timeand resources than others The last section describes resources available for helpingimprove your property for wildlife

Plan for Success

extremely slow) to keep grasslands in an earlysuccessional stage The sequence of whenthese disturbances occur should be labeled on the map In summary a good wildlife management

plan contains the following A good wildlife management plan will

improve the chances of attaining wildlife andachieving your habitat goals on your property Ahabitat plan outlines a course of action so thatgood habitat is created for one or more selectedspecies and not inadvertently destroyed A planwill also identify a sequence for implementinghabitat practices to maximize efficiency and proshyduce the best outcomes for wildlife Manageshyment plans are not static ndash they are workingdocuments that change depending on plantresponses to your practices wildlife usageeconomic costs seed availability the weatherand other factors

Match your management plan to the wildlifespecies you want to encourage It is useful totarget your habitat management toward specific species or feature species Those habitat manageshyment practices which benefit a feature specieswill also likely benefit a host of other wildliferequiring similar habitat Conversely some habishytat practices may reduce or harm habitat forother wildlife It is important to recognize whatyou are ldquogiving uprdquo as well A simple exampleis creating small openings of lt 5 acres in amature oak forest Openings may benefit turkeybut reduce habitat for gray squirrels and woodshypeckers These tradeoffs need to be consideredcarefully before implementing any habitatpractice

A map aids in identifying where habitatimprovements are needed on your property Thesize and arrangement of newly created habitataffect speciesrsquo responses Cottontails do well inhabitat consisting of clovers and native forbsnative warmshyseason grasses blackberry thicketsand brushpiles in areas of one to five acresBobwhites use this habitat but they also needshrubby areas woodlands and old fields within40 to 80 acres As such the landowner needs to visualize the location of current and future habishytat on a map Some habitats require periodicmaintenance such as burning or mowing everyone to three years (or up to five years if growth is

bull A clear set of objectives identifying thefeature species with easily made measureshyments to assess success For example a goodobjective would be ldquoIncrease the number ofnesting eastern bluebirds on the propertyrdquo

bull A written description of the area includingits location number of acres soil type(s)land use vegetative cover and currentwildlife populations

bull Habitat requirements for the feature speciesFor example eastern bluebirds are cavitynesters so they require snags andor artifishycial nesting structures Bluebirds thrive onthe edge of open areas including old fieldspastures yards and utility rightshyofshywaysThese open areas should harbor plenty ofinsects (their food source) and be locatednear scattered areas of hardwoods

bull A plan of action for implementing the manshyagement practices Use a sketch map or markon an aerial photograph to illustrate whereyour habitat practices will be implemented(Figure 3) Aerial photographs are availableat no charge from the Natural ResourcesConservation Service or the Farm Service

Figure 3 An example of how an aerial photo of your property and surrounding properties can help with planning and improving wildlife habitat

2

Unique Ecosystems Conducting a habitat assessment is important

before making changes to your property Is your property part of a unique contiguous mature forshyest swampy bottomland hardwoods unbroken prairie forest glade or river canebreak Following are descriptions of these unique ecosystems

bull Mature forest If you own a few acres of mature forest near a greater expanse

Audubon Arkansas of forest consider avoiding Glades vary management practices by soil depth type of bedrock moisture and topogshywhich greatly disturb this raphy Typically glades are found on southerly or ecosystem A contiguous westerly facing slopes Although the soil is mostly forest benefits a number of dry particularly in summer months pockets of areashysensitive species many water may be present These seemingly barren of which are considered areas are of considerable ecological interest A varishyspecies of concern in ety of plants thrive in such environments some of Arkansas An example is the which are rare such as insectivorous plants called pileated woodpecker (Figshy sundews and bladderworts ure A) which lives in mature bull Canebreak Native canebreaks occur along forests and requires large rivers and streams and are prime wildlife habitat territories of 160 to 250 acres Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) can grow to a These large birds nest in height of 4 to 20 feet with leaf blades in groups of 3 dead trees at least 12 inches to 5 inches long and at least frac12shyinch wide tapering to in diameter They feed upon a point The stem is hollow and woody perfect for carpenter ants which help homemade cane fishing poles Although river cane

as a species is not imperiled historically large forests expanses of cane no longer exist The possibly

extinct Bachmanrsquos warbler may have been a caneshybull Tallgrass prairie Prairies attract a number of dependent species as also the extinct passenger unique species such as the eastern meadowlark pigeon and Carolina parakeet Several species of grasshopper sparrow and ornate box turtle Prairie butterflies and bird species such as the Swainsonrsquos grasslands have never been plowed Trees are either and hooded warbler nest in canebreaks Many absent or widely scattered on the landscape Tallshy species such as deer black bear and swamp rabbit grass prairies are dominated by grasses such as big seek cover in cane Deer and rabbits feed on tender bluestem and Indian grass as well as a large numshy new growth Historically wild turkey used cane ber of other species of grasses and wildflowers The Bobwhites are known to inhabit short cane in vegetation sometimes reaches a height of 10 feet or frequently burned pine flatwoods The seeds of more Periodic disturbance such as a prescribed native cane are reported to have more nutrients burn is necessary to prevent woody growth from than rice or wheat Native cane can be difficult invading the prairie to distinguish from its nonshynative invasivecounterpart Asian varieties are difficult to control bull Bottomland hardwood forest These wetland and should not be planted as a substitute for forests are found along rivers and streams generally native cane in broad floodplains Wetlands are areas where

water covers the soil or is present either at or near These increasinglyshyrare ecosystems attract the soil surface for varying periods of time during unique plants and animals To learn more about the year or all year Wetlands are comprised of difshy managing these habitats contact the resources ferent species of gum (Nyssa sp) oak (Quercus sp) listed near the end of this publication including and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) which have the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission the ability to survive in areas that are either seasonshy (httpwwwnaturalheritagecom 501shy324shy9619) Some ally flooded or covered with water much of the government and nonprofit organizations are year Oftentimes other than controlling invasive interested in preserving these types of habitats and species minimal management is required for this may offer financial incentives for implementing selfshysustaining habitat habitat practices

bull Glade Glades (Figshyure B) are rocky open areas with exposed rock and little or no soil These areas have no tree canopy and very little shrubs

Figure B A unique nepheline syenite glade in Pulaski County Arkansas Photo by Mary Smith

recycle dead or decaying wood in these mature

Figure A Pileated woodshypeckers live in mature forests where minimal habitat management is necessary Photo by Mike Ostry USDA Forest Servicendash North Central Research Station Archive USDA Forest Service Bugwoodorg

3

habitat practices require more investment of timeand resources than others The last section describes resources available for helpingimprove your property for wildlife

Plan for Success

extremely slow) to keep grasslands in an earlysuccessional stage The sequence of whenthese disturbances occur should be labeled on the map In summary a good wildlife management

plan contains the following A good wildlife management plan will

improve the chances of attaining wildlife andachieving your habitat goals on your property Ahabitat plan outlines a course of action so thatgood habitat is created for one or more selectedspecies and not inadvertently destroyed A planwill also identify a sequence for implementinghabitat practices to maximize efficiency and proshyduce the best outcomes for wildlife Manageshyment plans are not static ndash they are workingdocuments that change depending on plantresponses to your practices wildlife usageeconomic costs seed availability the weatherand other factors

Match your management plan to the wildlifespecies you want to encourage It is useful totarget your habitat management toward specific species or feature species Those habitat manageshyment practices which benefit a feature specieswill also likely benefit a host of other wildliferequiring similar habitat Conversely some habishytat practices may reduce or harm habitat forother wildlife It is important to recognize whatyou are ldquogiving uprdquo as well A simple exampleis creating small openings of lt 5 acres in amature oak forest Openings may benefit turkeybut reduce habitat for gray squirrels and woodshypeckers These tradeoffs need to be consideredcarefully before implementing any habitatpractice

A map aids in identifying where habitatimprovements are needed on your property Thesize and arrangement of newly created habitataffect speciesrsquo responses Cottontails do well inhabitat consisting of clovers and native forbsnative warmshyseason grasses blackberry thicketsand brushpiles in areas of one to five acresBobwhites use this habitat but they also needshrubby areas woodlands and old fields within40 to 80 acres As such the landowner needs to visualize the location of current and future habishytat on a map Some habitats require periodicmaintenance such as burning or mowing everyone to three years (or up to five years if growth is

bull A clear set of objectives identifying thefeature species with easily made measureshyments to assess success For example a goodobjective would be ldquoIncrease the number ofnesting eastern bluebirds on the propertyrdquo

bull A written description of the area includingits location number of acres soil type(s)land use vegetative cover and currentwildlife populations

bull Habitat requirements for the feature speciesFor example eastern bluebirds are cavitynesters so they require snags andor artifishycial nesting structures Bluebirds thrive onthe edge of open areas including old fieldspastures yards and utility rightshyofshywaysThese open areas should harbor plenty ofinsects (their food source) and be locatednear scattered areas of hardwoods

bull A plan of action for implementing the manshyagement practices Use a sketch map or markon an aerial photograph to illustrate whereyour habitat practices will be implemented(Figure 3) Aerial photographs are availableat no charge from the Natural ResourcesConservation Service or the Farm Service

Figure 3 An example of how an aerial photo of your property and surrounding properties can help with planning and improving wildlife habitat

2

Unique Ecosystems Conducting a habitat assessment is important

before making changes to your property Is your property part of a unique contiguous mature forshyest swampy bottomland hardwoods unbroken prairie forest glade or river canebreak Following are descriptions of these unique ecosystems

bull Mature forest If you own a few acres of mature forest near a greater expanse

Audubon Arkansas of forest consider avoiding Glades vary management practices by soil depth type of bedrock moisture and topogshywhich greatly disturb this raphy Typically glades are found on southerly or ecosystem A contiguous westerly facing slopes Although the soil is mostly forest benefits a number of dry particularly in summer months pockets of areashysensitive species many water may be present These seemingly barren of which are considered areas are of considerable ecological interest A varishyspecies of concern in ety of plants thrive in such environments some of Arkansas An example is the which are rare such as insectivorous plants called pileated woodpecker (Figshy sundews and bladderworts ure A) which lives in mature bull Canebreak Native canebreaks occur along forests and requires large rivers and streams and are prime wildlife habitat territories of 160 to 250 acres Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) can grow to a These large birds nest in height of 4 to 20 feet with leaf blades in groups of 3 dead trees at least 12 inches to 5 inches long and at least frac12shyinch wide tapering to in diameter They feed upon a point The stem is hollow and woody perfect for carpenter ants which help homemade cane fishing poles Although river cane

as a species is not imperiled historically large forests expanses of cane no longer exist The possibly

extinct Bachmanrsquos warbler may have been a caneshybull Tallgrass prairie Prairies attract a number of dependent species as also the extinct passenger unique species such as the eastern meadowlark pigeon and Carolina parakeet Several species of grasshopper sparrow and ornate box turtle Prairie butterflies and bird species such as the Swainsonrsquos grasslands have never been plowed Trees are either and hooded warbler nest in canebreaks Many absent or widely scattered on the landscape Tallshy species such as deer black bear and swamp rabbit grass prairies are dominated by grasses such as big seek cover in cane Deer and rabbits feed on tender bluestem and Indian grass as well as a large numshy new growth Historically wild turkey used cane ber of other species of grasses and wildflowers The Bobwhites are known to inhabit short cane in vegetation sometimes reaches a height of 10 feet or frequently burned pine flatwoods The seeds of more Periodic disturbance such as a prescribed native cane are reported to have more nutrients burn is necessary to prevent woody growth from than rice or wheat Native cane can be difficult invading the prairie to distinguish from its nonshynative invasivecounterpart Asian varieties are difficult to control bull Bottomland hardwood forest These wetland and should not be planted as a substitute for forests are found along rivers and streams generally native cane in broad floodplains Wetlands are areas where

water covers the soil or is present either at or near These increasinglyshyrare ecosystems attract the soil surface for varying periods of time during unique plants and animals To learn more about the year or all year Wetlands are comprised of difshy managing these habitats contact the resources ferent species of gum (Nyssa sp) oak (Quercus sp) listed near the end of this publication including and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) which have the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission the ability to survive in areas that are either seasonshy (httpwwwnaturalheritagecom 501shy324shy9619) Some ally flooded or covered with water much of the government and nonprofit organizations are year Oftentimes other than controlling invasive interested in preserving these types of habitats and species minimal management is required for this may offer financial incentives for implementing selfshysustaining habitat habitat practices

bull Glade Glades (Figshyure B) are rocky open areas with exposed rock and little or no soil These areas have no tree canopy and very little shrubs

Figure B A unique nepheline syenite glade in Pulaski County Arkansas Photo by Mary Smith

recycle dead or decaying wood in these mature

Figure A Pileated woodshypeckers live in mature forests where minimal habitat management is necessary Photo by Mike Ostry USDA Forest Servicendash North Central Research Station Archive USDA Forest Service Bugwoodorg

3

Unique Ecosystems Conducting a habitat assessment is important

before making changes to your property Is your property part of a unique contiguous mature forshyest swampy bottomland hardwoods unbroken prairie forest glade or river canebreak Following are descriptions of these unique ecosystems

bull Mature forest If you own a few acres of mature forest near a greater expanse

Audubon Arkansas of forest consider avoiding Glades vary management practices by soil depth type of bedrock moisture and topogshywhich greatly disturb this raphy Typically glades are found on southerly or ecosystem A contiguous westerly facing slopes Although the soil is mostly forest benefits a number of dry particularly in summer months pockets of areashysensitive species many water may be present These seemingly barren of which are considered areas are of considerable ecological interest A varishyspecies of concern in ety of plants thrive in such environments some of Arkansas An example is the which are rare such as insectivorous plants called pileated woodpecker (Figshy sundews and bladderworts ure A) which lives in mature bull Canebreak Native canebreaks occur along forests and requires large rivers and streams and are prime wildlife habitat territories of 160 to 250 acres Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) can grow to a These large birds nest in height of 4 to 20 feet with leaf blades in groups of 3 dead trees at least 12 inches to 5 inches long and at least frac12shyinch wide tapering to in diameter They feed upon a point The stem is hollow and woody perfect for carpenter ants which help homemade cane fishing poles Although river cane

as a species is not imperiled historically large forests expanses of cane no longer exist The possibly

extinct Bachmanrsquos warbler may have been a caneshybull Tallgrass prairie Prairies attract a number of dependent species as also the extinct passenger unique species such as the eastern meadowlark pigeon and Carolina parakeet Several species of grasshopper sparrow and ornate box turtle Prairie butterflies and bird species such as the Swainsonrsquos grasslands have never been plowed Trees are either and hooded warbler nest in canebreaks Many absent or widely scattered on the landscape Tallshy species such as deer black bear and swamp rabbit grass prairies are dominated by grasses such as big seek cover in cane Deer and rabbits feed on tender bluestem and Indian grass as well as a large numshy new growth Historically wild turkey used cane ber of other species of grasses and wildflowers The Bobwhites are known to inhabit short cane in vegetation sometimes reaches a height of 10 feet or frequently burned pine flatwoods The seeds of more Periodic disturbance such as a prescribed native cane are reported to have more nutrients burn is necessary to prevent woody growth from than rice or wheat Native cane can be difficult invading the prairie to distinguish from its nonshynative invasivecounterpart Asian varieties are difficult to control bull Bottomland hardwood forest These wetland and should not be planted as a substitute for forests are found along rivers and streams generally native cane in broad floodplains Wetlands are areas where

water covers the soil or is present either at or near These increasinglyshyrare ecosystems attract the soil surface for varying periods of time during unique plants and animals To learn more about the year or all year Wetlands are comprised of difshy managing these habitats contact the resources ferent species of gum (Nyssa sp) oak (Quercus sp) listed near the end of this publication including and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) which have the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission the ability to survive in areas that are either seasonshy (httpwwwnaturalheritagecom 501shy324shy9619) Some ally flooded or covered with water much of the government and nonprofit organizations are year Oftentimes other than controlling invasive interested in preserving these types of habitats and species minimal management is required for this may offer financial incentives for implementing selfshysustaining habitat habitat practices

bull Glade Glades (Figshyure B) are rocky open areas with exposed rock and little or no soil These areas have no tree canopy and very little shrubs

Figure B A unique nepheline syenite glade in Pulaski County Arkansas Photo by Mary Smith

recycle dead or decaying wood in these mature

Figure A Pileated woodshypeckers live in mature forests where minimal habitat management is necessary Photo by Mike Ostry USDA Forest Servicendash North Central Research Station Archive USDA Forest Service Bugwoodorg

3

Agency office in each county (httpoffices scegovusdagovlocatorapp) Aerial photos arealso available on the internet through theSpatial Analysis Laboratory at the Universityof Arkansas at Monticello (httpsaluamont edu) Geostor (httpwwwgeostorarkansas gov) or private companies such asTerraServer (httpterraservershyusacom) and Google Earth (httpearthgooglecom)

bull A plan of how you will assess your successand know when your objectives have beenachieved For example ldquoRecords will be keptof the number of bluebirds nesting in nestboxes the number of eggs laid and numberof nestlings fledgedrdquo

bull A budget Determine how much you are willshying to spend Include costs for supplies suchas tree saplings or lumber for building birdhouses equipment fuel labor or professionalservices

On smaller acreages develop your plan toprovide habitat which is lacking within the homerange of your feature species Think strategicallyabout habitat needs for species with home rangeslarger than your property size such as whiteshytailed deer or migratory songbirds Use aerialmaps to determine which habitat is lacking inyour area Develop a plan to provide the limitinghabitat which will attract wildlife to your property

Tips for Managing Wildlife Habitat

1 Go native

Wildlife are adapted to using a variety ofplants throughout the year Managing for adiversity of native plants (Table 1) offers manyadvantages over nonshynatives Native plants areadapted to the rainfall temperatures and soilconditions in Arkansas These plants areequipped to survive the stresses of droughttemperature extremes floods and plant diseasespresent in the area

Relationships between plants and wildlifehave developed in ways yet undiscovered DaveTylka in his book Native Landscaping for Wildlife and People writes

Many people know the relationships between acorns and deer and turkeyflower pollination and insects berries and our migrating songbirds and milkshyweeds and monarch butterflies When it comes to woodland wildflowers few people know about the important role that some ants have in the dispersal ofseeds for plants such as spring beauties trilliums wild ginger and violets Nativeplants and animals have achieved a purshypose a role or niche in the environmentand their presence and wellshybeing improve the health of the ecosystem andbring balance

Identifying which plants are native can be difficult The National Invasive Species Council(wwwinvasivespeciesgov) defines an invasive species as one that is nonshynative to the ecosystemand whose introduction will cause harm to the environment economy andor human healthSome nonshynative plants become invasive (Table 2) They grow and reproduce quickly in anenvironment where natural controls are not present Invasive plants outcompete other plantsand occupy habitat that minimizes plant divershysity An example is Japanese honeysuckle whichdeer consume throughout the year but its prolific growth quickly dominates a habitat(Figure 4) Another example is sericea lespedeza which was once a recommended wildlife plantshying but no longer (Figure 5) Control or eradicate invasive plants already present on your property

Figure 4 Although whiteshytailed deer consume Japanese honeysuckle its prolific growth quickly overtakes native plant species Photo by Chuck Bargeron University of Georgia Bugwoodorg

4

Table 1 Native plants which attract wildlife Carolina vetch Vicia caroliniana Common milkweed Asclepias syriaca

LARGE TREES Compass plant Silphium laciniatumAmerican beech Fagus grandifolia Indian paintbrush Castilleja coccineaAmerican elm Ulmus americana Ironweed Vernonia altissima Black gum Nyssa sylvatica Swamp chestnut oak Quercus michauxii Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica Hackberry Celtis laevigata Longleaf pine Pinus palustris Pecan Carya illinoensis Southern red oak Quercus falcata Tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera White ash Fraxinus americana White oak Quercus alba Willow oak Quercus phellos

SMALL AND MEDIUMshySIZED TREES

Lanceleaf coreopsisLespedeza (native)Partridge peaPrairie dock Purple beardtonguePurple coneflowerRose verbena Rosin weed Rattlesnake master Salvia Showy goldenrodTall blazing star

Coreopsis lanceolataLespedeza virginicaChamaecrista fasciculata Silphium laciniatumPenstemon cobaea Echinacea purpureaGlandularia canadensis Silphium integrifoliumEryngium yuccifoliumSalvia sppSolidago speciosaLiatris aspera

Black cherry Prunus serotina GRASSES Box elder Acer negundo Big bluestem Andropogon gerardiiCherry laurel Prunus caroliniana Broomsedge Andropogon virginicusChickasaw plum Prunus angustifolia Indian grass Sorghastrum nutansCrab apple Malus angustifolia Little bluestem Schizachyrium scopariumEastern redbud Cercis canadensis River oats Chasmanthium latifolium Flowering dogwoodHawthorns Hollies Ironwood PawpawPersimmon Red mulberrySassafras ServiceberrySilverbell Sumac Wild plum

SHRUBS American beautyberry(French mulberry)

American hollyArrowwood Buttonbush Blueberries ChockberryDevilrsquos walking stickElderberryFalse indigoHollies HuckleberryPossumhaw Red buckeyeSpicebushWahoo

VINES Blackberry DewberryCoral honeysuckleCross vine Trumpet vineVirginia creeper

WILDFLOWERS Bee balm (horsemint)Blackshyeyed SusanButterflyweedCardinal flower

Cornus florida Crataegus sppIlex sppCarpinus carolinianaAsimina triloba Diospyros virginianaMorus rubra Sassafras albidum Amelanchier arborea Halesia dipteraRhus sppPrunus americana

Callicarpa americanaIlex opacaViburnum sppCephalanthus occidentalisVaccinium sppAronia arbutifolia Aralia spinosaSambucus canadensis Amorpha fruticosaIlex sppGaylussacia sppIlex decidua Aesculus pavia Lindera benzoin Euonymus americanus

Rubus sppLonicera sempervirensBignonia capreolataCampsis radicansParthenocissus quinquefolia

Monarda sppRudbeckia hirta Asclepias tuberosaLobelia cardinalis

Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula Switchgrass Panicum virgatum

Table 2 Aggressive native and exotic plant species to avoid planting for wildlife (Adapted from Tylka 2002 and USDA Forest Service Southern Region Task Force on Assessment to Identify High Threat Invasive Species) NATIVE PLANTS Common sunflower Horseweed Joeshypye weedGreenbrier Reed canary grassSesbania Sawtooth sunflower Tall coreopsisTall goldenrodTick trefoil Wild lettuce Wild potato vineYarrow

EXOTIC PLANTS Autumn olive Bush honeysuckles

Caucasian bluestem Crownvetch Common privetJapanese honeysuckleJohnsongrassKudzu vine Multiflora rose Musk thistle Purple loosestrifeQueen Annersquos lace Russian olive Sericea lespedezaSweet clover (white andyellow)

Tall fescue Winged euonymus

Helianthus annuus Conyza canadensisEupatorium purpureumSmilax sppPhalaris arundinacea Sesbania exaltata Helianthus grosseserratusCoreopsis tripterisSolidago altissimaDesmodium perplexumLactuca canadensis Ipomoea pandurataAchillea millefolium

Elaeagnus umbellataLonicera morrowii Lonicera maackii

Andropogon bladhiiSecurigera variaLigustrum sinenseLonicera japonicaSorghum halepensePueraria lobata Rose multiflora Carduus nutans Lythrum salicariaDaucus carota Elaeagnus angustifoliaLespedeza cuneataMelilotus alba and Melilotus officinalis

Festuca arundinacea Euonymus alatus

5

using a combination of herbicides and other practices such as disking or burning Check withyour local county Extenshysion agent for recomshymendations about controlling invasiveplants

Old Pastures and Fields Choice native grasses are big

Figure 5 Sericea bluestem (Figure 6) lespedeza is no longer little bluestem Indian recommended as a grass and switchgrass wildlife planting because

These bunch grasses its invasive qualities have outpaced benefits for provide better nesting wildlife Photo by James H and broodshyrearing cover Miller USDAshyNRCS

than sodshyforming PLANTS Database grasses such as fescuebermudagrass and bahiagrass An ideal stand of native grasses will have clumps of grass with bare ground underneath providing travel lanesfor young cottontails and thumbshysized bobwhite chicks The tall grasses above create an umbrella

or canopy effectively hiding them from predshyators These tall grasses afford cover for a numshyber of other species as well such as beddingareas for deer A secondshyyear field of nativegrasses with some firstshyyear dead plant materialprovides ideal habitat for groundshynestingbirds Native grasses

Figure 6 Big bluestem is require maintenance a native warmshyseason activities such as diskshyclump grass ideally suited for nesting and brooding ing or burning every of wild turkey and bobshy one to three years to whites Photo by Jennifer keep the field in an early Anderson USDAshyNRCS successional stage PLANTS Database

Establishing nativewarmshyseason grasses can take several years For more information about appropriate herbicidetreatments and establishment practices contact your local county Extension office

Around the Home If landscaping is yourinterest consider turning your yard into anative showcase Native plants particularlynectarshyproducing plants will attract butterfliesand hummingbirds To plant seeds prepare aweedshyfree seedbed of 2 to 3 inches of loose soil Ask your county Extension agent for recommenshydations to rid an area of grass and competingplants before planting Cover the seed verylightly or not at all If the plot is watered use afine spray A light covering of straw or pineneedles may help hold the seed in place onslopes To help germination press the seed intothe soil using a roller (a large cylinder device)attached to a tractor or ATV or tamp with a hoeor rake or walk on the planted seedbed

Figure 7 The American Beautyberry also called French Mulberry is a native plant consumed by whiteshytailed deer and songbirds and also is an attractive ornamental shrub Photo by the author

Seeds or pots of native plants can bepurchased from several horticultural or seedbusinesses throughout Arkansas or propagatedfrom the seed of wild plants Note that manypublic lands prohibit collecting plants or theirseeds If collecting seed from someone elsersquosproperty always get permission first

The Arkansas Native Plant Society (www anpsorg) lists certified seed sources on its website and sells a checklist of Arkansas native plants Other excellent resources for identifyingnative plants are the USDA Plant Database(httpplantsusdagov) the Lady Bird JohnsonNational Wildflower Centerrsquos Native Plant Netshywork (httpwwwwildflowerorg) the ArkansasNatural Heritage Commission (501shy324shy9619 httpwwwnaturalheritagecom) and your county Extension agent (wwwuaexedu)

6

using a combination of herbicides and other practices such as disking or burning Check withyour local county Extenshysion agent for recomshymendations about controlling invasiveplants

Old Pastures and Fields Choice native grasses are big

Figure 5 Sericea bluestem (Figure 6) lespedeza is no longer little bluestem Indian recommended as a grass and switchgrass wildlife planting because

These bunch grasses its invasive qualities have outpaced benefits for provide better nesting wildlife Photo by James H and broodshyrearing cover Miller USDAshyNRCS

than sodshyforming PLANTS Database grasses such as fescuebermudagrass and bahiagrass An ideal stand of native grasses will have clumps of grass with bare ground underneath providing travel lanesfor young cottontails and thumbshysized bobwhite chicks The tall grasses above create an umbrella

or canopy effectively hiding them from predshyators These tall grasses afford cover for a numshyber of other species as well such as beddingareas for deer A secondshyyear field of nativegrasses with some firstshyyear dead plant materialprovides ideal habitat for groundshynestingbirds Native grasses

Figure 6 Big bluestem is require maintenance a native warmshyseason activities such as diskshyclump grass ideally suited for nesting and brooding ing or burning every of wild turkey and bobshy one to three years to whites Photo by Jennifer keep the field in an early Anderson USDAshyNRCS successional stage PLANTS Database

Establishing nativewarmshyseason grasses can take several years For more information about appropriate herbicidetreatments and establishment practices contact your local county Extension office

Around the Home If landscaping is yourinterest consider turning your yard into anative showcase Native plants particularlynectarshyproducing plants will attract butterfliesand hummingbirds To plant seeds prepare aweedshyfree seedbed of 2 to 3 inches of loose soil Ask your county Extension agent for recommenshydations to rid an area of grass and competingplants before planting Cover the seed verylightly or not at all If the plot is watered use afine spray A light covering of straw or pineneedles may help hold the seed in place onslopes To help germination press the seed intothe soil using a roller (a large cylinder device)attached to a tractor or ATV or tamp with a hoeor rake or walk on the planted seedbed

Figure 7 The American Beautyberry also called French Mulberry is a native plant consumed by whiteshytailed deer and songbirds and also is an attractive ornamental shrub Photo by the author

Seeds or pots of native plants can bepurchased from several horticultural or seedbusinesses throughout Arkansas or propagatedfrom the seed of wild plants Note that manypublic lands prohibit collecting plants or theirseeds If collecting seed from someone elsersquosproperty always get permission first

The Arkansas Native Plant Society (www anpsorg) lists certified seed sources on its website and sells a checklist of Arkansas native plants Other excellent resources for identifyingnative plants are the USDA Plant Database(httpplantsusdagov) the Lady Bird JohnsonNational Wildflower Centerrsquos Native Plant Netshywork (httpwwwwildflowerorg) the ArkansasNatural Heritage Commission (501shy324shy9619 httpwwwnaturalheritagecom) and your county Extension agent (wwwuaexedu)

6

2 Disk lightly no seeds required Another option for encouraging native plants

is disking to release seeds from the seedbed(Figure 8) Light disking will encourage growthof annual plant communities and provide avegetation structure for grassland species such asbobwhites cottontails and songbirds For thepast several decades bobwhite numbers havebeen declining in Arkansas and the SoutheastBobwhites thrive in complex landscapes thatresemble a patchwork of small crop fields oldfields woodlands and brush Strip disking on aoneshy to threeshyyear rotation creates multiple

Figure 8 This native plant growth occurred shortly after disking a field Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

habitat types in a relatively small area Diskingin the winter produces forbs and wildflowerswhile disking in April increases seedshyproducinggrasses though results can vary depending onthe seedbed If nonshynative plants are predomishynate on disked soil herbicide treatment may benecessary For more information about diskingsee publication FSA9100 Light Disking to Improve Wildlife Habitat in Grasslands and Old Fields

3 Burn burn burn Prescribed burning (Figure 9) is a costshy

efficient and effective tool for encouraging nativeplants in fields and woodlands Fire scarifiesseeds promoting germination and opens up theground for native seeds to take root resulting ina flush of plant growth For small acreages preshyscribed burning may not be feasible because ofproximity to other residences smoke issuesliability issues and safety considerations If burnshying is an option hire a professional by contacting

Figure 9 Prescribed fire on 10shyacre area near Booneville Arkansas Photo by the US Forest Service

your local county forester with the ArkansasForestry Commission Typically burns are conshyducted JanuaryshyMarch to encourage lush plantgrowth of forbs in the spring but fall burns canresult in growth of seedshybearing plants Avoidburning in the spring and summer when animalsare being born

4 Mow high and insideshyout

Of the many alternatives for managingwildlife habitat mowing is the leastshypreferredbut probably mostshyused practice Unlike preshyscribed fire or grazing elk herds of centuries agomowing does little to open bare ground or proshymote soil nutrient cycling which encourages newplant growth and food sources for wildlife

Mowing can be an effective habitat manageshyment tool if used properly and discriminatelyMowing can control nonshynative plants and preshyvent woody growth in grassland habitats Mowpastures and grasslands after July 15 or later toavoid disturbing late broods of groundshynestingbirds or lateshyborn fawns Mow plants whichcompete with native grasses and forbs to preventthem from going to seed Raise the blade 8 to 12inches high when bushhogging to encourageroot growth and improve winter survival ofnative grasses When mowing the yard set themower at its highest level usually 3 to 4 inches

Whether mowing your yard or pasture startin the middle and mow toward the outer borders This will allow wildlife to stay in or fleeto existing cover during the mowing operationLess wildlife will be killed by lawnmowers tracshytor wheels or cutter blades rather than being

7

trapped inside an evershydecreasing circle Thismethod also decreases predation by predatorswhich make an easy meal of a rabbit or turkeypoult trying to cross open ground

If mowing with a tractor consider attaching aflushing bar to the front to move wildlife awayfrom dangerous wheels and cutters (Figure 10)Attach lengths of chain (1frasl4 inch with galvanizedcoating) to 10 feet or more of PCV pipe or angleiron offset to the front of the tractor The chain

Figure 10 A wildlife flushing bar viewed from inside a tractor cab

should be long enough to ride just above thesurface of the ground Space the chains 18 to 24inches apart The rattling chains will causerabbits and quail to move away Watch forconcealed or slowshymoving wildlife such as boxturtles or fawns and relocate them if necessary

Leave field borders and drainages uncut andallow tall grasses and shrubs to grow Excellentwildlife habitat can be created by leaving uncutareas 30 feet or more from the field border Irregularly shaped field borders provide morecover for wildlife Maintain early plant successhysion between woodland edges and fences bymowing 10shyfoot strips every year before April 1or after July 15

5 Supplemental feeding is for the birds (not mammals)

Bird feeders come in a variety of shapes andsizes but the best feeders are cylinders withpost perches This birdfeeder design limitsaggressive birds from gobbling up too manyseeds (Figure 11) Blackshyoil sunflower seedsattract the widest variety of birds such as cardishynals chickadees goldfinches and nuthatchesThrow white proso millet on the ground or on aplatform feeder to attract ground feeders such asmourning doves sparrows and juncos Cleanfeeders with a weak bleach solution and cease summer feeding to reduce disease transmissionIn the winter months attract birds using beefsuet (fat) hug from a wire basket mesh fruit bagor log with holes cut into it and stuffed with suet

Hummingshybird feeders can be filled with one part sugar tofour parts waterRed dye can beadded to the water initially toattract hummers but is not necesshysary once thebirds become accustom to the location Humshymingbird feederswill also attract orioles as well as unwanted ants and wasps Antscan be thwarted by greasing the string holderwith petroleum jelly or creating a moat filledwith water If wasps are a problem consider purshychasing a hummingbird feeder where the sugarwater is farther from the opening Hummingshybirds have tongues which are longer than themouthparts of wasps Hummingbird feedersneed to be cleaned frequently particularly in thesummer months when the sugar water canferment in a matter of days Clean with hot waterand scrub out algae if needed Mammals such as squirrels deer and black

bear have been known to incidentally feed onseeds from bird feeders (Figure 12) Howeverattracting wildlife to corn feeders piles of wheator other grains is not advisable And some believe bird feeding should be stopped too A

Figure 11 Chickadees and other backyard birds are attracted to blackshyoil sunflower seeds dispensed in cylinder feeders with perches Photo by Alfred Viola Northeastern University Bugwoodorg

Figure 12 Sometimes wildlife other than songbirds feed on birdseed Photo by Brian Fillmore wwwhopatcongpoliceorg

8

trapped inside an evershydecreasing circle Thismethod also decreases predation by predatorswhich make an easy meal of a rabbit or turkeypoult trying to cross open ground

If mowing with a tractor consider attaching aflushing bar to the front to move wildlife awayfrom dangerous wheels and cutters (Figure 10)Attach lengths of chain (1frasl4 inch with galvanizedcoating) to 10 feet or more of PCV pipe or angleiron offset to the front of the tractor The chain

Figure 10 A wildlife flushing bar viewed from inside a tractor cab

should be long enough to ride just above thesurface of the ground Space the chains 18 to 24inches apart The rattling chains will causerabbits and quail to move away Watch forconcealed or slowshymoving wildlife such as boxturtles or fawns and relocate them if necessary

Leave field borders and drainages uncut andallow tall grasses and shrubs to grow Excellentwildlife habitat can be created by leaving uncutareas 30 feet or more from the field border Irregularly shaped field borders provide morecover for wildlife Maintain early plant successhysion between woodland edges and fences bymowing 10shyfoot strips every year before April 1or after July 15

5 Supplemental feeding is for the birds (not mammals)

Bird feeders come in a variety of shapes andsizes but the best feeders are cylinders withpost perches This birdfeeder design limitsaggressive birds from gobbling up too manyseeds (Figure 11) Blackshyoil sunflower seedsattract the widest variety of birds such as cardishynals chickadees goldfinches and nuthatchesThrow white proso millet on the ground or on aplatform feeder to attract ground feeders such asmourning doves sparrows and juncos Cleanfeeders with a weak bleach solution and cease summer feeding to reduce disease transmissionIn the winter months attract birds using beefsuet (fat) hug from a wire basket mesh fruit bagor log with holes cut into it and stuffed with suet

Hummingshybird feeders can be filled with one part sugar tofour parts waterRed dye can beadded to the water initially toattract hummers but is not necesshysary once thebirds become accustom to the location Humshymingbird feederswill also attract orioles as well as unwanted ants and wasps Antscan be thwarted by greasing the string holderwith petroleum jelly or creating a moat filledwith water If wasps are a problem consider purshychasing a hummingbird feeder where the sugarwater is farther from the opening Hummingshybirds have tongues which are longer than themouthparts of wasps Hummingbird feedersneed to be cleaned frequently particularly in thesummer months when the sugar water canferment in a matter of days Clean with hot waterand scrub out algae if needed Mammals such as squirrels deer and black

bear have been known to incidentally feed onseeds from bird feeders (Figure 12) Howeverattracting wildlife to corn feeders piles of wheator other grains is not advisable And some believe bird feeding should be stopped too A

Figure 11 Chickadees and other backyard birds are attracted to blackshyoil sunflower seeds dispensed in cylinder feeders with perches Photo by Alfred Viola Northeastern University Bugwoodorg

Figure 12 Sometimes wildlife other than songbirds feed on birdseed Photo by Brian Fillmore wwwhopatcongpoliceorg

8

literature review conducted by The WildlifeSociety (an association of wildlife professionals)indicates public baiting andor supplementalfeeding harms wildlife in these ways

bull Concentrating wildlife at greater than naturaldensities

bull Increasing direct and indirect contact amongwildlife species

bull Increasing wildlife habituation to humansand detracting from wild behavior

bull Increasing the likelihood of disease transmisshysion within and among species and mainshytaining endemic disease reservoirs

bull Reducing home range size increasing fecunshydity and affecting carrying capacity

bull Causing significant habitat damage in areasof baiting and feeding sites

bull Significantly affecting populations of nonshytarget wildlife species

bull Increasing intrashy and intershyspecific competishytion and stress among and within target andnonshytarget wildlife populations

bull Redirecting attention resources and effortaway from managing native habitat

For these and other reasons attractingdeer using corn feeders is not recommended(Figure 13) Corn is low in protein (7 to 9 percent)and is poor nutrition for antler muscle and bodygrowth Although hunters use corn feeders toimprove harvest success little evidence supportsthis perception A comparison of hunter successin states with and without baiting regulationsindicated no advantage A Mississippi studyfound 90 percent of bucksrsquo usage of bait stationswas after nightfall during nonshylegal shootinghours Additionally deer corn could be infected

with aflatoxin at levels which are fatal to wild turkey and other birds Mammals are less susshyceptible to toxicosis than birds Aflatoxin is afungus which appears when corn is grown underdrought conditions Aflatoxin continues growingwhile in the bag under a variety of conditions ndashhot or cold wet or dry The only exception isaflatoxin stops growing when frozen Most cornsold for deer is of low quality and likely to

Figure 13 Because of disease transmission and other issues wildlife biologists do not recommend feeding corn to deer and other wildlife Photo by Ken Hammond USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

contain aflatoxin A 1990 study by the TexasDepartment of Agriculture tested deer corn foraflatoxin Fortyshyfour percent of the corn testedpositive with 31 percent testing at levels whichwere deadly to birds Broken or stunted cornkernels which quail are more likely to ingestoften have higher concentrations of aflatoxinthan whole kernels Placing ldquoaflatoxinshyfreerdquo cornin feeders will not eliminate the problem ifinfected corn was previously used Feeders needto be cleaned and disinfected periodically toprevent aflatoxin

Another type of deer attractant are mineralsupplements Mineral supplements are sold comshymercially on the premise that the ingredients willimprove antler growth body mass and growthrates of deer Whether this is true depends on anumber of factors including habitat quality anddeer population size If habitat is poor or thedeer herd overpopulated mineral supplementswill not improve herd health or antler growthDeer in poor habitat are not acquiring enoughfood so mineral supplements do little to comshypensate For example people take vitamins to fillin nutritional gaps not as a food substituteHealthy deer living in optimal habitat benefitfrom mineral supplements as shown experimenshytally with penshyraised deer Habitat quality for

9

wild freeshyranging deer varies considerably inArkansas both geographically and seasonallyAlso consider an individual deerrsquos access to minshyeral supplements can be variable Whether suchattractants improve hunting success is debatableDeer biologists report that mineral supplementstend to attract deer in the spring rather than durshying hunting season For these reasons the valueof mineral supplements is questionable

Wildlife food plots are considered a morenatural way to attract wildlife On smallacreages food plots can benefit a number ofspecies with smaller home ranges such asrabbits snakes and field mice Food plots canalso attract deer to a particular area to improvechances of harvest and control herd size Howshyever food plots do little to improve the healthand sustainability of wildlife populations unlessplanting extensively in openings over severalthousand acres Typically nonshynative commercialplantings are used to attract wildlife These canbe expensive and undershyutilized when acornsand native plants are readily available Ratherthan relying solely on food plots managing adiversity of native plants will do far more tobenefit wildlife on your property

6 Good soil = good wildlife

Fertilizing and liming are alternatives tomineral supplementation and nonshynative foodplots Adding soil amendments to established native plants increases the availability of soilnutrients for wildlife consumption But soilamendments can also improve growth of nonshynative plants which can outcompete nativeplants so carefully consider when and where toapply fertilizer and lime Collect soil samplesbefore adding soil amendments and apply onlywhat is needed to improve plant growth Excesshysive fertilization is not only wasteful economishycally but can contribute to surface andgroundwater pollution Your county Extensionagent can help with information about collectingsoil samples and interpreting results as well asfertilizer options and application methods

Fertilize existing native nonshyinvasive forbsshrubs and vines which wildlife are known to consume Disking fertilizing and liming a plotwill stimulate growth of native forbs present in

the seedbed Apply fertilizers consistent with soiltest results and keep track of plant responses assoil amendments can cause nonshynative vegetashytion to flourish and potentially outcompetenative vegetation

Some people experiment with fertilizing oaktrees to improve acorn production nutrition andpalatability to wildlife Current evidence isunclear about whether fertilizing oak treesimproves acorn production or palatability Thoseexperimenting with oaks typically apply fertilshyizer around the treersquos drip line Observationsindicate wildlife are attracted to these fertilized trees but it is unclear whether wildlife are attracted to improved acorns or to the fertilizedforbs and saplings growing under the treecanopy Plants under the tree canopy mayremove most of the nutrients from fertilizers before the oak tree has an opportunity to absorbthem These and other lingering questionsremain about whether fertilizing oak trees isworthwhile

7 Save pests limit pesticides

Many wildlife species rely on insects forfood Insects are a highshyenergy and proteinshyrichfood source for many wildlife species Bobwhiteand wild turkey poults feed heavily on insectsduring their first few weeks of life with studiesindicating insect consumption is imperative forproper growth feather development and thershymoregulation A number of songbirds includingbluebirds purshyple martins andour state bird the northern mockingbird(Figure 14) conshysume primarilyinsects Lizards frogs bats andsmall snakes consume insects Though mostpesticides todayhave been Figure 14 Insects are a primary screened and food source for many wildlife tested for lethal species including the Arkansas state

bird the northern mockingbird impacts on Photo by Ryan Hagerty US Fish and mammals and Wildlife Service

10

birds use pesticides sparingly Insects affectedby pesticides may be less active and more proneto be consumed by birds reptiles and amphibshyians which are in turn consumed by otherwildlife in the food chain

If pesticides are necessary closely followlabel directions Remember when it comes to pesticides ldquomorerdquo is not better Some evidenceindicates homeowners use more pesticides ontheir lawns and contribute more to water pollushytion than agriculture or industry Always applypesticides in the quantity indicated on the labelNever apply pesticides where the potential existsfor runoff into a stream or pond The result couldbe a fish kill When applying pesticides targetareas where pesticides are needed rather thanbroadcasting throughout your property Alsoselect pesticides specific for the insects you arecontrolling and with shorter residual effects

8 Water water everywhere but not enough to drink

Compared to most states Arkansas has anabundance of surface water available to wildlife However the quality of water habitats andaccess needs to be considered in relation to yourproperty Protecting water sources from sedishyments and pollution is important for improvingwildlife populations Trees stabilize streambanksand protect water from sedimentation A lack ofshade raises water temperatures and negativelyaffects the aquatic food chain Maintaining vegeshytation along rivers streams and ponds reducessoil erosion buffers pesticides and herbicidesfrom entering the water and provides habitatand travel corridors for wildlife (Figure 15) Allroads and trails close to waterways should bekept in vegetative cover with grass shrub or treebuffers to reduce erosion

Tree stands growing along streams are calledriparian woodlands In the delta a strip ofriparian woodland may be the only woody coverfound in landscapes dominated by fields and pastures The variety of trees shrubs and otherplants found in riparian woodlands are imporshytant wildlife habitat Outside the delta forested areas of Arkansas often have trees down hillsides and in stream bottoms Tree species growing

Figure 15 This fourshyyearshyold riparian buffer reduces soil erosion sustains aquatic life and provides wildlife habitat Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

along streams likely differ from those on theadjoining slopes making riparian woodlandsbiologically unique

Riparian woodlands are managed differentlyfrom other forest woodlands Indiscriminate timshyber cutting in riparian woodlands can damagestreams and eliminate critical wildlife habitat Avoid removing trees that have fallen intostreams or appear ready to do so Tree roots arekeeping the bank from eroding When a treeeventually falls it creates important inshystreamhabitat for fish and other aquatic life Trees thatcause problems can be removed but protect thestreambank during tree removal Never useheavy equipment to dredge the stream channelUsing such equipment damages the streambedand affects the aquatic habitat where fish frogsand turtles live

Springs and seeps are water sources forwildlife Many springs are still used as watersources for homes and livestock Fence livestock from springs seeps streams and ponds andprovide them with alternative water sources toprevent sedimentation and improve waterquality For seeps consider constructing a smallbasin to collect water and improve availabilityfor wildlife

Shallow water areas occur where soils have low permeability or a high water table thatinhibits surface drainage Typically these areasare from 1 to 18 inches deep over the majority ofthe area Shallow water areas attract shorebirds

11

waterfowl wading birds mammals fishreptiles amphibians and other species thatrequire shallow water for at least a part of theirlife cycle Amphibians and reptiles need shallowwater areas without fish to be successful Typically vernal ponds dry up during the hotsummer months after amphibians have proshygressed through their early life stages This couldbe considered naturersquos way of removing predashytory fish from these temporary amphibian nursshyeries If a wetland or shallow water area is on your property currently in most instances noaction is necessary Water will accumulate anddry up naturally Protect shallow water areasfrom pesticides as these chemicals could affectthe life cycle of amphibians and reptiles

For constructed wetlands or ponds a watercontrol structure is needed to effectively managethese areas for wildlife (Figure 16) Water controlstructures can be as simple as a piece of woodacross a ditch or mechanically controlled pipeswith releases that can be adjusted to allow slowor quick drawdowns An adequate method fordewatering will help promote food plants andinvertebrates for waterbirds Slow drawdowns of 2 to 3 weeks usually are more desirable for plant

Figure 16 Installing a water control structure allows water levels to be manipulated and controls plant growth for attracting waterbirds and other wildlife Photo by Peggy Greb USDA Agriculture Research Service

establishment and wildlife use Typically earlydrawdowns during the first 45 days of the growshying season and 90 days before the end of thegrowing season result in the greatest quantitiesof seed production for attracting waterfowlshorebirds and songbirds Fall flooding which

coincides with migration attracts a number ofwaterfowl Slowly flooding a site to a depth of4 to 6 inches allows new areas of food to become available each day as thewater rises

Althoughponds of anysize have the potential toattract wildshylife some biologistsindicate ponds lessthan an acre are more likely to attract songshybirds and small mamshymals than larger species such as wild turkey or furbearersPonds with gentle slopes supply foraging sitesfor migratory shorebirds during late summerand early fall and again in spring Shallow areasare prime habitat for reptiles amphibians birdsand mammals and provide nursery habitat foryoung fish (Figure 17) If recreational fishing isdesired part of the pond should have steeplyshycutbanks to reduce rooted aquatic plant growthand to make prey more easily available topredator fish

Plant trees and shrubs near the pond for protection shade and cover but avoid plantingtrees and shrubs on dams levees dikes or around water control structures because tree roots may degrade the structurersquos integrityDams levees or dikes should be mowed no earlier than midshyJuly (after brooding season formost groundshynesting wildlife) to maintain grassy cover

9 Thickets and brushpiles and brambles oh my

A lack of cover is a limiting factor for manywildlife populations With careful planning the

Figure 17 Ponds with both shallow water areas and deepshycut banks supply habitat for a diversity of wildlife and fish species Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

12

proper design and placement of cover habitatcan improve wildlife populations on your landLocate brushpiles along field edges and drawswhere additional cover is nearby Avoid placing abrushpile in the middle of a 10shyacre open fieldwith no nearby brushpiles travel lanes or escapecover from predators

A brushpile designed with travel lanes and avacant center will attract more wildlife than one constructed haphazardly Ideally constructedbrushpiles are 12 to 15 feet in diameter and 4 to5 feet high Leave travel lanes and open spacesunder your brushpiles Crisscross logs to form abase then add increasingly smaller diameterwood topping it off with a layer of twigs andbranches until the interior cannot be seen A ldquolivingrdquo brushpile can be created by cutting halfshyway through the trunk of a small cedar or otherbushy tree and pushing it over

Fencerows next to grasslands or pasturesprovide food escape cover and travel lanes forwildlife Encourage woody fencerows by not

Figure 18 Brushy fencerows protect wildlife traveling between fields and help escape predation Photo by Tom Jacobs

spraying or mowing next to the fence (Figure 18)Songbirds which perch on fences will depositseeds they have consumed Planting clumps oftrees and shrubs or spreading seeds of vines andshrubs along the fencerow can speed up theprocess of creating brushy cover Top large treesto keep the fencerow thick with cover

In large fields thickets of shrubs and bramshybles such as blackberries and wild plum affordcover for cottontails songbirds and quail Theseclumps of shrubby thickets should be less than

250 feet apart or ldquosoftballshythrowingrdquo distancefrom each other to provide escape cover Placingthis cover in large fields greatly improves habitatavailability and protection from predators suchas coyotes Shrubs may need to be mowed instrips periodically to prevent trees from becomshying established within thickets

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags

Forest and woodland habitats reflect the natural forces which impact them ndash wind icefire floods insects and disease Many wildlifespecies depend on these natural disturbances tocreate habitat Forest openings from disturbancesincrease the availability of sunlight to the lowerreaches of the forest generating a dramaticincrease of understory plants Decaying trees areexcavated for denning sites and attract insectswhich provide a food source Although treecanopies serve as food and nesting sites for avariety of wildlife many forestshydwelling creashytures depend on food and cover at ground levelWithout disturbances the tree canopy shades outwildlife food and cover and impedes growth oftree seedlings on the forest floor Periodic naturaldisturbances can be imitated through forest management

Thinning is a valuable forest managementpractice when conducted with wildlife in mindThe decision to remove a tree should be based on harvesting the lowershyquality and lessshydesirabletree species Taking the best trees decreases theoverall quality of the forest for wildlife and timshyber Remove tree and shrub species that have lesswildlife value to reduce competition around thevaluable ldquocrop treesrdquo Removing the competitionincreases growth rates of the valuable trees andallows their crowns to expand Increased sunshylight to the understory will encourage seedlingsfrom desirable overstory trees and increase coverfor wildlife underneath Cutting trees shouldtake place in late summer or early fall to minishymize disturbance to nesting birds and mammals

Many wildlife species use den trees standingdead trees and downed trees for roosting nestshying resting and food reservoirs from insectsinfesting the dead wood As a rule of thumbretain three to five snags (ie standing dead

13

Figure 19 Woodpeckers and squirrels use standing dead trees called snags for nesting den sites and insect sources Photo by the author

trees) per acre plus a number of den anddowned trees (Figure 19) If few snags ordowned logs are available create them by deadshyening large trees by girdling or herbicide applicashytion The retention of den trees and snags willenhance the propertyrsquos ability to hold a morediverse wildlife community Remove any deadtrees which pose a risk of falling on a building ora location where people congregate

If your property and surrounding propertiesare expansive forests consider creating smallopenings Removing all the trees in an area proshyvides growing conditions for a variety of plantsand increases brooding habitat for groundshy andshrubshynesting wildlife For example wild turkeyand bobwhites use openings for ldquobuggingrdquo andnesting Deer browse on newly emergent forbsand brambles Many nonshygame species such assongbirds depend on openings within forests foryearshyround habitat needs Openings should bewell distributed across the forest for wildlife to gain easy access Openings can be maintainedperiodically by bushhogging mowing orburning

Openings should be designed to maximizeedge Edge is the transition area between twodifferent habitat types Increased sunlight at aforest edge generates a thicker and brushierunderstory and midshystory compared to a fewyards inside the forest interior This transitionzone provides more diverse food and nestinghabitat which attracts more wildlife

An edge can be abrupt such as where forestand field meet Wildlife tend to prefer a gradualor ldquofeatheredrdquo edge which mixes the two ormore neighboring habitat types and containsqualities ofeach (Figure20) Create amore natural appearance to your openshying by avoidshying straightedges Youcan nearlydouble the amount of edge by simshyply meandershying thewoodrsquos edgein a wavyfashion Mix fields and forests alongelevation contours to create natushyral curves rather than squaredshyoffrectangular openings

11 Home is where the nest is

In areas where few natural tree cavities exist or competition for natural cavities is greatscattering nest boxes throughout your propertycan dramatically improve habitat for cavityshynesting species Nest boxes can greatly benefitbluebirds wrens warblers woodpeckers andwood ducks as well as squirrels and birds ofprey (Table 3)

Figure 20 This buffer of native grasses adjacent to shrubs and a riparian area is ideal for whiteshytailed deer wild turkey bobwhites cottontails and songbirds Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

14

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

wild freeshyranging deer varies considerably inArkansas both geographically and seasonallyAlso consider an individual deerrsquos access to minshyeral supplements can be variable Whether suchattractants improve hunting success is debatableDeer biologists report that mineral supplementstend to attract deer in the spring rather than durshying hunting season For these reasons the valueof mineral supplements is questionable

Wildlife food plots are considered a morenatural way to attract wildlife On smallacreages food plots can benefit a number ofspecies with smaller home ranges such asrabbits snakes and field mice Food plots canalso attract deer to a particular area to improvechances of harvest and control herd size Howshyever food plots do little to improve the healthand sustainability of wildlife populations unlessplanting extensively in openings over severalthousand acres Typically nonshynative commercialplantings are used to attract wildlife These canbe expensive and undershyutilized when acornsand native plants are readily available Ratherthan relying solely on food plots managing adiversity of native plants will do far more tobenefit wildlife on your property

6 Good soil = good wildlife

Fertilizing and liming are alternatives tomineral supplementation and nonshynative foodplots Adding soil amendments to established native plants increases the availability of soilnutrients for wildlife consumption But soilamendments can also improve growth of nonshynative plants which can outcompete nativeplants so carefully consider when and where toapply fertilizer and lime Collect soil samplesbefore adding soil amendments and apply onlywhat is needed to improve plant growth Excesshysive fertilization is not only wasteful economishycally but can contribute to surface andgroundwater pollution Your county Extensionagent can help with information about collectingsoil samples and interpreting results as well asfertilizer options and application methods

Fertilize existing native nonshyinvasive forbsshrubs and vines which wildlife are known to consume Disking fertilizing and liming a plotwill stimulate growth of native forbs present in

the seedbed Apply fertilizers consistent with soiltest results and keep track of plant responses assoil amendments can cause nonshynative vegetashytion to flourish and potentially outcompetenative vegetation

Some people experiment with fertilizing oaktrees to improve acorn production nutrition andpalatability to wildlife Current evidence isunclear about whether fertilizing oak treesimproves acorn production or palatability Thoseexperimenting with oaks typically apply fertilshyizer around the treersquos drip line Observationsindicate wildlife are attracted to these fertilized trees but it is unclear whether wildlife are attracted to improved acorns or to the fertilizedforbs and saplings growing under the treecanopy Plants under the tree canopy mayremove most of the nutrients from fertilizers before the oak tree has an opportunity to absorbthem These and other lingering questionsremain about whether fertilizing oak trees isworthwhile

7 Save pests limit pesticides

Many wildlife species rely on insects forfood Insects are a highshyenergy and proteinshyrichfood source for many wildlife species Bobwhiteand wild turkey poults feed heavily on insectsduring their first few weeks of life with studiesindicating insect consumption is imperative forproper growth feather development and thershymoregulation A number of songbirds includingbluebirds purshyple martins andour state bird the northern mockingbird(Figure 14) conshysume primarilyinsects Lizards frogs bats andsmall snakes consume insects Though mostpesticides todayhave been Figure 14 Insects are a primary screened and food source for many wildlife tested for lethal species including the Arkansas state

bird the northern mockingbird impacts on Photo by Ryan Hagerty US Fish and mammals and Wildlife Service

10

birds use pesticides sparingly Insects affectedby pesticides may be less active and more proneto be consumed by birds reptiles and amphibshyians which are in turn consumed by otherwildlife in the food chain

If pesticides are necessary closely followlabel directions Remember when it comes to pesticides ldquomorerdquo is not better Some evidenceindicates homeowners use more pesticides ontheir lawns and contribute more to water pollushytion than agriculture or industry Always applypesticides in the quantity indicated on the labelNever apply pesticides where the potential existsfor runoff into a stream or pond The result couldbe a fish kill When applying pesticides targetareas where pesticides are needed rather thanbroadcasting throughout your property Alsoselect pesticides specific for the insects you arecontrolling and with shorter residual effects

8 Water water everywhere but not enough to drink

Compared to most states Arkansas has anabundance of surface water available to wildlife However the quality of water habitats andaccess needs to be considered in relation to yourproperty Protecting water sources from sedishyments and pollution is important for improvingwildlife populations Trees stabilize streambanksand protect water from sedimentation A lack ofshade raises water temperatures and negativelyaffects the aquatic food chain Maintaining vegeshytation along rivers streams and ponds reducessoil erosion buffers pesticides and herbicidesfrom entering the water and provides habitatand travel corridors for wildlife (Figure 15) Allroads and trails close to waterways should bekept in vegetative cover with grass shrub or treebuffers to reduce erosion

Tree stands growing along streams are calledriparian woodlands In the delta a strip ofriparian woodland may be the only woody coverfound in landscapes dominated by fields and pastures The variety of trees shrubs and otherplants found in riparian woodlands are imporshytant wildlife habitat Outside the delta forested areas of Arkansas often have trees down hillsides and in stream bottoms Tree species growing

Figure 15 This fourshyyearshyold riparian buffer reduces soil erosion sustains aquatic life and provides wildlife habitat Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

along streams likely differ from those on theadjoining slopes making riparian woodlandsbiologically unique

Riparian woodlands are managed differentlyfrom other forest woodlands Indiscriminate timshyber cutting in riparian woodlands can damagestreams and eliminate critical wildlife habitat Avoid removing trees that have fallen intostreams or appear ready to do so Tree roots arekeeping the bank from eroding When a treeeventually falls it creates important inshystreamhabitat for fish and other aquatic life Trees thatcause problems can be removed but protect thestreambank during tree removal Never useheavy equipment to dredge the stream channelUsing such equipment damages the streambedand affects the aquatic habitat where fish frogsand turtles live

Springs and seeps are water sources forwildlife Many springs are still used as watersources for homes and livestock Fence livestock from springs seeps streams and ponds andprovide them with alternative water sources toprevent sedimentation and improve waterquality For seeps consider constructing a smallbasin to collect water and improve availabilityfor wildlife

Shallow water areas occur where soils have low permeability or a high water table thatinhibits surface drainage Typically these areasare from 1 to 18 inches deep over the majority ofthe area Shallow water areas attract shorebirds

11

waterfowl wading birds mammals fishreptiles amphibians and other species thatrequire shallow water for at least a part of theirlife cycle Amphibians and reptiles need shallowwater areas without fish to be successful Typically vernal ponds dry up during the hotsummer months after amphibians have proshygressed through their early life stages This couldbe considered naturersquos way of removing predashytory fish from these temporary amphibian nursshyeries If a wetland or shallow water area is on your property currently in most instances noaction is necessary Water will accumulate anddry up naturally Protect shallow water areasfrom pesticides as these chemicals could affectthe life cycle of amphibians and reptiles

For constructed wetlands or ponds a watercontrol structure is needed to effectively managethese areas for wildlife (Figure 16) Water controlstructures can be as simple as a piece of woodacross a ditch or mechanically controlled pipeswith releases that can be adjusted to allow slowor quick drawdowns An adequate method fordewatering will help promote food plants andinvertebrates for waterbirds Slow drawdowns of 2 to 3 weeks usually are more desirable for plant

Figure 16 Installing a water control structure allows water levels to be manipulated and controls plant growth for attracting waterbirds and other wildlife Photo by Peggy Greb USDA Agriculture Research Service

establishment and wildlife use Typically earlydrawdowns during the first 45 days of the growshying season and 90 days before the end of thegrowing season result in the greatest quantitiesof seed production for attracting waterfowlshorebirds and songbirds Fall flooding which

coincides with migration attracts a number ofwaterfowl Slowly flooding a site to a depth of4 to 6 inches allows new areas of food to become available each day as thewater rises

Althoughponds of anysize have the potential toattract wildshylife some biologistsindicate ponds lessthan an acre are more likely to attract songshybirds and small mamshymals than larger species such as wild turkey or furbearersPonds with gentle slopes supply foraging sitesfor migratory shorebirds during late summerand early fall and again in spring Shallow areasare prime habitat for reptiles amphibians birdsand mammals and provide nursery habitat foryoung fish (Figure 17) If recreational fishing isdesired part of the pond should have steeplyshycutbanks to reduce rooted aquatic plant growthand to make prey more easily available topredator fish

Plant trees and shrubs near the pond for protection shade and cover but avoid plantingtrees and shrubs on dams levees dikes or around water control structures because tree roots may degrade the structurersquos integrityDams levees or dikes should be mowed no earlier than midshyJuly (after brooding season formost groundshynesting wildlife) to maintain grassy cover

9 Thickets and brushpiles and brambles oh my

A lack of cover is a limiting factor for manywildlife populations With careful planning the

Figure 17 Ponds with both shallow water areas and deepshycut banks supply habitat for a diversity of wildlife and fish species Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

12

proper design and placement of cover habitatcan improve wildlife populations on your landLocate brushpiles along field edges and drawswhere additional cover is nearby Avoid placing abrushpile in the middle of a 10shyacre open fieldwith no nearby brushpiles travel lanes or escapecover from predators

A brushpile designed with travel lanes and avacant center will attract more wildlife than one constructed haphazardly Ideally constructedbrushpiles are 12 to 15 feet in diameter and 4 to5 feet high Leave travel lanes and open spacesunder your brushpiles Crisscross logs to form abase then add increasingly smaller diameterwood topping it off with a layer of twigs andbranches until the interior cannot be seen A ldquolivingrdquo brushpile can be created by cutting halfshyway through the trunk of a small cedar or otherbushy tree and pushing it over

Fencerows next to grasslands or pasturesprovide food escape cover and travel lanes forwildlife Encourage woody fencerows by not

Figure 18 Brushy fencerows protect wildlife traveling between fields and help escape predation Photo by Tom Jacobs

spraying or mowing next to the fence (Figure 18)Songbirds which perch on fences will depositseeds they have consumed Planting clumps oftrees and shrubs or spreading seeds of vines andshrubs along the fencerow can speed up theprocess of creating brushy cover Top large treesto keep the fencerow thick with cover

In large fields thickets of shrubs and bramshybles such as blackberries and wild plum affordcover for cottontails songbirds and quail Theseclumps of shrubby thickets should be less than

250 feet apart or ldquosoftballshythrowingrdquo distancefrom each other to provide escape cover Placingthis cover in large fields greatly improves habitatavailability and protection from predators suchas coyotes Shrubs may need to be mowed instrips periodically to prevent trees from becomshying established within thickets

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags

Forest and woodland habitats reflect the natural forces which impact them ndash wind icefire floods insects and disease Many wildlifespecies depend on these natural disturbances tocreate habitat Forest openings from disturbancesincrease the availability of sunlight to the lowerreaches of the forest generating a dramaticincrease of understory plants Decaying trees areexcavated for denning sites and attract insectswhich provide a food source Although treecanopies serve as food and nesting sites for avariety of wildlife many forestshydwelling creashytures depend on food and cover at ground levelWithout disturbances the tree canopy shades outwildlife food and cover and impedes growth oftree seedlings on the forest floor Periodic naturaldisturbances can be imitated through forest management

Thinning is a valuable forest managementpractice when conducted with wildlife in mindThe decision to remove a tree should be based on harvesting the lowershyquality and lessshydesirabletree species Taking the best trees decreases theoverall quality of the forest for wildlife and timshyber Remove tree and shrub species that have lesswildlife value to reduce competition around thevaluable ldquocrop treesrdquo Removing the competitionincreases growth rates of the valuable trees andallows their crowns to expand Increased sunshylight to the understory will encourage seedlingsfrom desirable overstory trees and increase coverfor wildlife underneath Cutting trees shouldtake place in late summer or early fall to minishymize disturbance to nesting birds and mammals

Many wildlife species use den trees standingdead trees and downed trees for roosting nestshying resting and food reservoirs from insectsinfesting the dead wood As a rule of thumbretain three to five snags (ie standing dead

13

Figure 19 Woodpeckers and squirrels use standing dead trees called snags for nesting den sites and insect sources Photo by the author

trees) per acre plus a number of den anddowned trees (Figure 19) If few snags ordowned logs are available create them by deadshyening large trees by girdling or herbicide applicashytion The retention of den trees and snags willenhance the propertyrsquos ability to hold a morediverse wildlife community Remove any deadtrees which pose a risk of falling on a building ora location where people congregate

If your property and surrounding propertiesare expansive forests consider creating smallopenings Removing all the trees in an area proshyvides growing conditions for a variety of plantsand increases brooding habitat for groundshy andshrubshynesting wildlife For example wild turkeyand bobwhites use openings for ldquobuggingrdquo andnesting Deer browse on newly emergent forbsand brambles Many nonshygame species such assongbirds depend on openings within forests foryearshyround habitat needs Openings should bewell distributed across the forest for wildlife to gain easy access Openings can be maintainedperiodically by bushhogging mowing orburning

Openings should be designed to maximizeedge Edge is the transition area between twodifferent habitat types Increased sunlight at aforest edge generates a thicker and brushierunderstory and midshystory compared to a fewyards inside the forest interior This transitionzone provides more diverse food and nestinghabitat which attracts more wildlife

An edge can be abrupt such as where forestand field meet Wildlife tend to prefer a gradualor ldquofeatheredrdquo edge which mixes the two ormore neighboring habitat types and containsqualities ofeach (Figure20) Create amore natural appearance to your openshying by avoidshying straightedges Youcan nearlydouble the amount of edge by simshyply meandershying thewoodrsquos edgein a wavyfashion Mix fields and forests alongelevation contours to create natushyral curves rather than squaredshyoffrectangular openings

11 Home is where the nest is

In areas where few natural tree cavities exist or competition for natural cavities is greatscattering nest boxes throughout your propertycan dramatically improve habitat for cavityshynesting species Nest boxes can greatly benefitbluebirds wrens warblers woodpeckers andwood ducks as well as squirrels and birds ofprey (Table 3)

Figure 20 This buffer of native grasses adjacent to shrubs and a riparian area is ideal for whiteshytailed deer wild turkey bobwhites cottontails and songbirds Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

14

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

birds use pesticides sparingly Insects affectedby pesticides may be less active and more proneto be consumed by birds reptiles and amphibshyians which are in turn consumed by otherwildlife in the food chain

If pesticides are necessary closely followlabel directions Remember when it comes to pesticides ldquomorerdquo is not better Some evidenceindicates homeowners use more pesticides ontheir lawns and contribute more to water pollushytion than agriculture or industry Always applypesticides in the quantity indicated on the labelNever apply pesticides where the potential existsfor runoff into a stream or pond The result couldbe a fish kill When applying pesticides targetareas where pesticides are needed rather thanbroadcasting throughout your property Alsoselect pesticides specific for the insects you arecontrolling and with shorter residual effects

8 Water water everywhere but not enough to drink

Compared to most states Arkansas has anabundance of surface water available to wildlife However the quality of water habitats andaccess needs to be considered in relation to yourproperty Protecting water sources from sedishyments and pollution is important for improvingwildlife populations Trees stabilize streambanksand protect water from sedimentation A lack ofshade raises water temperatures and negativelyaffects the aquatic food chain Maintaining vegeshytation along rivers streams and ponds reducessoil erosion buffers pesticides and herbicidesfrom entering the water and provides habitatand travel corridors for wildlife (Figure 15) Allroads and trails close to waterways should bekept in vegetative cover with grass shrub or treebuffers to reduce erosion

Tree stands growing along streams are calledriparian woodlands In the delta a strip ofriparian woodland may be the only woody coverfound in landscapes dominated by fields and pastures The variety of trees shrubs and otherplants found in riparian woodlands are imporshytant wildlife habitat Outside the delta forested areas of Arkansas often have trees down hillsides and in stream bottoms Tree species growing

Figure 15 This fourshyyearshyold riparian buffer reduces soil erosion sustains aquatic life and provides wildlife habitat Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

along streams likely differ from those on theadjoining slopes making riparian woodlandsbiologically unique

Riparian woodlands are managed differentlyfrom other forest woodlands Indiscriminate timshyber cutting in riparian woodlands can damagestreams and eliminate critical wildlife habitat Avoid removing trees that have fallen intostreams or appear ready to do so Tree roots arekeeping the bank from eroding When a treeeventually falls it creates important inshystreamhabitat for fish and other aquatic life Trees thatcause problems can be removed but protect thestreambank during tree removal Never useheavy equipment to dredge the stream channelUsing such equipment damages the streambedand affects the aquatic habitat where fish frogsand turtles live

Springs and seeps are water sources forwildlife Many springs are still used as watersources for homes and livestock Fence livestock from springs seeps streams and ponds andprovide them with alternative water sources toprevent sedimentation and improve waterquality For seeps consider constructing a smallbasin to collect water and improve availabilityfor wildlife

Shallow water areas occur where soils have low permeability or a high water table thatinhibits surface drainage Typically these areasare from 1 to 18 inches deep over the majority ofthe area Shallow water areas attract shorebirds

11

waterfowl wading birds mammals fishreptiles amphibians and other species thatrequire shallow water for at least a part of theirlife cycle Amphibians and reptiles need shallowwater areas without fish to be successful Typically vernal ponds dry up during the hotsummer months after amphibians have proshygressed through their early life stages This couldbe considered naturersquos way of removing predashytory fish from these temporary amphibian nursshyeries If a wetland or shallow water area is on your property currently in most instances noaction is necessary Water will accumulate anddry up naturally Protect shallow water areasfrom pesticides as these chemicals could affectthe life cycle of amphibians and reptiles

For constructed wetlands or ponds a watercontrol structure is needed to effectively managethese areas for wildlife (Figure 16) Water controlstructures can be as simple as a piece of woodacross a ditch or mechanically controlled pipeswith releases that can be adjusted to allow slowor quick drawdowns An adequate method fordewatering will help promote food plants andinvertebrates for waterbirds Slow drawdowns of 2 to 3 weeks usually are more desirable for plant

Figure 16 Installing a water control structure allows water levels to be manipulated and controls plant growth for attracting waterbirds and other wildlife Photo by Peggy Greb USDA Agriculture Research Service

establishment and wildlife use Typically earlydrawdowns during the first 45 days of the growshying season and 90 days before the end of thegrowing season result in the greatest quantitiesof seed production for attracting waterfowlshorebirds and songbirds Fall flooding which

coincides with migration attracts a number ofwaterfowl Slowly flooding a site to a depth of4 to 6 inches allows new areas of food to become available each day as thewater rises

Althoughponds of anysize have the potential toattract wildshylife some biologistsindicate ponds lessthan an acre are more likely to attract songshybirds and small mamshymals than larger species such as wild turkey or furbearersPonds with gentle slopes supply foraging sitesfor migratory shorebirds during late summerand early fall and again in spring Shallow areasare prime habitat for reptiles amphibians birdsand mammals and provide nursery habitat foryoung fish (Figure 17) If recreational fishing isdesired part of the pond should have steeplyshycutbanks to reduce rooted aquatic plant growthand to make prey more easily available topredator fish

Plant trees and shrubs near the pond for protection shade and cover but avoid plantingtrees and shrubs on dams levees dikes or around water control structures because tree roots may degrade the structurersquos integrityDams levees or dikes should be mowed no earlier than midshyJuly (after brooding season formost groundshynesting wildlife) to maintain grassy cover

9 Thickets and brushpiles and brambles oh my

A lack of cover is a limiting factor for manywildlife populations With careful planning the

Figure 17 Ponds with both shallow water areas and deepshycut banks supply habitat for a diversity of wildlife and fish species Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

12

proper design and placement of cover habitatcan improve wildlife populations on your landLocate brushpiles along field edges and drawswhere additional cover is nearby Avoid placing abrushpile in the middle of a 10shyacre open fieldwith no nearby brushpiles travel lanes or escapecover from predators

A brushpile designed with travel lanes and avacant center will attract more wildlife than one constructed haphazardly Ideally constructedbrushpiles are 12 to 15 feet in diameter and 4 to5 feet high Leave travel lanes and open spacesunder your brushpiles Crisscross logs to form abase then add increasingly smaller diameterwood topping it off with a layer of twigs andbranches until the interior cannot be seen A ldquolivingrdquo brushpile can be created by cutting halfshyway through the trunk of a small cedar or otherbushy tree and pushing it over

Fencerows next to grasslands or pasturesprovide food escape cover and travel lanes forwildlife Encourage woody fencerows by not

Figure 18 Brushy fencerows protect wildlife traveling between fields and help escape predation Photo by Tom Jacobs

spraying or mowing next to the fence (Figure 18)Songbirds which perch on fences will depositseeds they have consumed Planting clumps oftrees and shrubs or spreading seeds of vines andshrubs along the fencerow can speed up theprocess of creating brushy cover Top large treesto keep the fencerow thick with cover

In large fields thickets of shrubs and bramshybles such as blackberries and wild plum affordcover for cottontails songbirds and quail Theseclumps of shrubby thickets should be less than

250 feet apart or ldquosoftballshythrowingrdquo distancefrom each other to provide escape cover Placingthis cover in large fields greatly improves habitatavailability and protection from predators suchas coyotes Shrubs may need to be mowed instrips periodically to prevent trees from becomshying established within thickets

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags

Forest and woodland habitats reflect the natural forces which impact them ndash wind icefire floods insects and disease Many wildlifespecies depend on these natural disturbances tocreate habitat Forest openings from disturbancesincrease the availability of sunlight to the lowerreaches of the forest generating a dramaticincrease of understory plants Decaying trees areexcavated for denning sites and attract insectswhich provide a food source Although treecanopies serve as food and nesting sites for avariety of wildlife many forestshydwelling creashytures depend on food and cover at ground levelWithout disturbances the tree canopy shades outwildlife food and cover and impedes growth oftree seedlings on the forest floor Periodic naturaldisturbances can be imitated through forest management

Thinning is a valuable forest managementpractice when conducted with wildlife in mindThe decision to remove a tree should be based on harvesting the lowershyquality and lessshydesirabletree species Taking the best trees decreases theoverall quality of the forest for wildlife and timshyber Remove tree and shrub species that have lesswildlife value to reduce competition around thevaluable ldquocrop treesrdquo Removing the competitionincreases growth rates of the valuable trees andallows their crowns to expand Increased sunshylight to the understory will encourage seedlingsfrom desirable overstory trees and increase coverfor wildlife underneath Cutting trees shouldtake place in late summer or early fall to minishymize disturbance to nesting birds and mammals

Many wildlife species use den trees standingdead trees and downed trees for roosting nestshying resting and food reservoirs from insectsinfesting the dead wood As a rule of thumbretain three to five snags (ie standing dead

13

Figure 19 Woodpeckers and squirrels use standing dead trees called snags for nesting den sites and insect sources Photo by the author

trees) per acre plus a number of den anddowned trees (Figure 19) If few snags ordowned logs are available create them by deadshyening large trees by girdling or herbicide applicashytion The retention of den trees and snags willenhance the propertyrsquos ability to hold a morediverse wildlife community Remove any deadtrees which pose a risk of falling on a building ora location where people congregate

If your property and surrounding propertiesare expansive forests consider creating smallopenings Removing all the trees in an area proshyvides growing conditions for a variety of plantsand increases brooding habitat for groundshy andshrubshynesting wildlife For example wild turkeyand bobwhites use openings for ldquobuggingrdquo andnesting Deer browse on newly emergent forbsand brambles Many nonshygame species such assongbirds depend on openings within forests foryearshyround habitat needs Openings should bewell distributed across the forest for wildlife to gain easy access Openings can be maintainedperiodically by bushhogging mowing orburning

Openings should be designed to maximizeedge Edge is the transition area between twodifferent habitat types Increased sunlight at aforest edge generates a thicker and brushierunderstory and midshystory compared to a fewyards inside the forest interior This transitionzone provides more diverse food and nestinghabitat which attracts more wildlife

An edge can be abrupt such as where forestand field meet Wildlife tend to prefer a gradualor ldquofeatheredrdquo edge which mixes the two ormore neighboring habitat types and containsqualities ofeach (Figure20) Create amore natural appearance to your openshying by avoidshying straightedges Youcan nearlydouble the amount of edge by simshyply meandershying thewoodrsquos edgein a wavyfashion Mix fields and forests alongelevation contours to create natushyral curves rather than squaredshyoffrectangular openings

11 Home is where the nest is

In areas where few natural tree cavities exist or competition for natural cavities is greatscattering nest boxes throughout your propertycan dramatically improve habitat for cavityshynesting species Nest boxes can greatly benefitbluebirds wrens warblers woodpeckers andwood ducks as well as squirrels and birds ofprey (Table 3)

Figure 20 This buffer of native grasses adjacent to shrubs and a riparian area is ideal for whiteshytailed deer wild turkey bobwhites cottontails and songbirds Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

14

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

waterfowl wading birds mammals fishreptiles amphibians and other species thatrequire shallow water for at least a part of theirlife cycle Amphibians and reptiles need shallowwater areas without fish to be successful Typically vernal ponds dry up during the hotsummer months after amphibians have proshygressed through their early life stages This couldbe considered naturersquos way of removing predashytory fish from these temporary amphibian nursshyeries If a wetland or shallow water area is on your property currently in most instances noaction is necessary Water will accumulate anddry up naturally Protect shallow water areasfrom pesticides as these chemicals could affectthe life cycle of amphibians and reptiles

For constructed wetlands or ponds a watercontrol structure is needed to effectively managethese areas for wildlife (Figure 16) Water controlstructures can be as simple as a piece of woodacross a ditch or mechanically controlled pipeswith releases that can be adjusted to allow slowor quick drawdowns An adequate method fordewatering will help promote food plants andinvertebrates for waterbirds Slow drawdowns of 2 to 3 weeks usually are more desirable for plant

Figure 16 Installing a water control structure allows water levels to be manipulated and controls plant growth for attracting waterbirds and other wildlife Photo by Peggy Greb USDA Agriculture Research Service

establishment and wildlife use Typically earlydrawdowns during the first 45 days of the growshying season and 90 days before the end of thegrowing season result in the greatest quantitiesof seed production for attracting waterfowlshorebirds and songbirds Fall flooding which

coincides with migration attracts a number ofwaterfowl Slowly flooding a site to a depth of4 to 6 inches allows new areas of food to become available each day as thewater rises

Althoughponds of anysize have the potential toattract wildshylife some biologistsindicate ponds lessthan an acre are more likely to attract songshybirds and small mamshymals than larger species such as wild turkey or furbearersPonds with gentle slopes supply foraging sitesfor migratory shorebirds during late summerand early fall and again in spring Shallow areasare prime habitat for reptiles amphibians birdsand mammals and provide nursery habitat foryoung fish (Figure 17) If recreational fishing isdesired part of the pond should have steeplyshycutbanks to reduce rooted aquatic plant growthand to make prey more easily available topredator fish

Plant trees and shrubs near the pond for protection shade and cover but avoid plantingtrees and shrubs on dams levees dikes or around water control structures because tree roots may degrade the structurersquos integrityDams levees or dikes should be mowed no earlier than midshyJuly (after brooding season formost groundshynesting wildlife) to maintain grassy cover

9 Thickets and brushpiles and brambles oh my

A lack of cover is a limiting factor for manywildlife populations With careful planning the

Figure 17 Ponds with both shallow water areas and deepshycut banks supply habitat for a diversity of wildlife and fish species Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

12

proper design and placement of cover habitatcan improve wildlife populations on your landLocate brushpiles along field edges and drawswhere additional cover is nearby Avoid placing abrushpile in the middle of a 10shyacre open fieldwith no nearby brushpiles travel lanes or escapecover from predators

A brushpile designed with travel lanes and avacant center will attract more wildlife than one constructed haphazardly Ideally constructedbrushpiles are 12 to 15 feet in diameter and 4 to5 feet high Leave travel lanes and open spacesunder your brushpiles Crisscross logs to form abase then add increasingly smaller diameterwood topping it off with a layer of twigs andbranches until the interior cannot be seen A ldquolivingrdquo brushpile can be created by cutting halfshyway through the trunk of a small cedar or otherbushy tree and pushing it over

Fencerows next to grasslands or pasturesprovide food escape cover and travel lanes forwildlife Encourage woody fencerows by not

Figure 18 Brushy fencerows protect wildlife traveling between fields and help escape predation Photo by Tom Jacobs

spraying or mowing next to the fence (Figure 18)Songbirds which perch on fences will depositseeds they have consumed Planting clumps oftrees and shrubs or spreading seeds of vines andshrubs along the fencerow can speed up theprocess of creating brushy cover Top large treesto keep the fencerow thick with cover

In large fields thickets of shrubs and bramshybles such as blackberries and wild plum affordcover for cottontails songbirds and quail Theseclumps of shrubby thickets should be less than

250 feet apart or ldquosoftballshythrowingrdquo distancefrom each other to provide escape cover Placingthis cover in large fields greatly improves habitatavailability and protection from predators suchas coyotes Shrubs may need to be mowed instrips periodically to prevent trees from becomshying established within thickets

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags

Forest and woodland habitats reflect the natural forces which impact them ndash wind icefire floods insects and disease Many wildlifespecies depend on these natural disturbances tocreate habitat Forest openings from disturbancesincrease the availability of sunlight to the lowerreaches of the forest generating a dramaticincrease of understory plants Decaying trees areexcavated for denning sites and attract insectswhich provide a food source Although treecanopies serve as food and nesting sites for avariety of wildlife many forestshydwelling creashytures depend on food and cover at ground levelWithout disturbances the tree canopy shades outwildlife food and cover and impedes growth oftree seedlings on the forest floor Periodic naturaldisturbances can be imitated through forest management

Thinning is a valuable forest managementpractice when conducted with wildlife in mindThe decision to remove a tree should be based on harvesting the lowershyquality and lessshydesirabletree species Taking the best trees decreases theoverall quality of the forest for wildlife and timshyber Remove tree and shrub species that have lesswildlife value to reduce competition around thevaluable ldquocrop treesrdquo Removing the competitionincreases growth rates of the valuable trees andallows their crowns to expand Increased sunshylight to the understory will encourage seedlingsfrom desirable overstory trees and increase coverfor wildlife underneath Cutting trees shouldtake place in late summer or early fall to minishymize disturbance to nesting birds and mammals

Many wildlife species use den trees standingdead trees and downed trees for roosting nestshying resting and food reservoirs from insectsinfesting the dead wood As a rule of thumbretain three to five snags (ie standing dead

13

Figure 19 Woodpeckers and squirrels use standing dead trees called snags for nesting den sites and insect sources Photo by the author

trees) per acre plus a number of den anddowned trees (Figure 19) If few snags ordowned logs are available create them by deadshyening large trees by girdling or herbicide applicashytion The retention of den trees and snags willenhance the propertyrsquos ability to hold a morediverse wildlife community Remove any deadtrees which pose a risk of falling on a building ora location where people congregate

If your property and surrounding propertiesare expansive forests consider creating smallopenings Removing all the trees in an area proshyvides growing conditions for a variety of plantsand increases brooding habitat for groundshy andshrubshynesting wildlife For example wild turkeyand bobwhites use openings for ldquobuggingrdquo andnesting Deer browse on newly emergent forbsand brambles Many nonshygame species such assongbirds depend on openings within forests foryearshyround habitat needs Openings should bewell distributed across the forest for wildlife to gain easy access Openings can be maintainedperiodically by bushhogging mowing orburning

Openings should be designed to maximizeedge Edge is the transition area between twodifferent habitat types Increased sunlight at aforest edge generates a thicker and brushierunderstory and midshystory compared to a fewyards inside the forest interior This transitionzone provides more diverse food and nestinghabitat which attracts more wildlife

An edge can be abrupt such as where forestand field meet Wildlife tend to prefer a gradualor ldquofeatheredrdquo edge which mixes the two ormore neighboring habitat types and containsqualities ofeach (Figure20) Create amore natural appearance to your openshying by avoidshying straightedges Youcan nearlydouble the amount of edge by simshyply meandershying thewoodrsquos edgein a wavyfashion Mix fields and forests alongelevation contours to create natushyral curves rather than squaredshyoffrectangular openings

11 Home is where the nest is

In areas where few natural tree cavities exist or competition for natural cavities is greatscattering nest boxes throughout your propertycan dramatically improve habitat for cavityshynesting species Nest boxes can greatly benefitbluebirds wrens warblers woodpeckers andwood ducks as well as squirrels and birds ofprey (Table 3)

Figure 20 This buffer of native grasses adjacent to shrubs and a riparian area is ideal for whiteshytailed deer wild turkey bobwhites cottontails and songbirds Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

14

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

proper design and placement of cover habitatcan improve wildlife populations on your landLocate brushpiles along field edges and drawswhere additional cover is nearby Avoid placing abrushpile in the middle of a 10shyacre open fieldwith no nearby brushpiles travel lanes or escapecover from predators

A brushpile designed with travel lanes and avacant center will attract more wildlife than one constructed haphazardly Ideally constructedbrushpiles are 12 to 15 feet in diameter and 4 to5 feet high Leave travel lanes and open spacesunder your brushpiles Crisscross logs to form abase then add increasingly smaller diameterwood topping it off with a layer of twigs andbranches until the interior cannot be seen A ldquolivingrdquo brushpile can be created by cutting halfshyway through the trunk of a small cedar or otherbushy tree and pushing it over

Fencerows next to grasslands or pasturesprovide food escape cover and travel lanes forwildlife Encourage woody fencerows by not

Figure 18 Brushy fencerows protect wildlife traveling between fields and help escape predation Photo by Tom Jacobs

spraying or mowing next to the fence (Figure 18)Songbirds which perch on fences will depositseeds they have consumed Planting clumps oftrees and shrubs or spreading seeds of vines andshrubs along the fencerow can speed up theprocess of creating brushy cover Top large treesto keep the fencerow thick with cover

In large fields thickets of shrubs and bramshybles such as blackberries and wild plum affordcover for cottontails songbirds and quail Theseclumps of shrubby thickets should be less than

250 feet apart or ldquosoftballshythrowingrdquo distancefrom each other to provide escape cover Placingthis cover in large fields greatly improves habitatavailability and protection from predators suchas coyotes Shrubs may need to be mowed instrips periodically to prevent trees from becomshying established within thickets

10 Thinner may be better but leave snags

Forest and woodland habitats reflect the natural forces which impact them ndash wind icefire floods insects and disease Many wildlifespecies depend on these natural disturbances tocreate habitat Forest openings from disturbancesincrease the availability of sunlight to the lowerreaches of the forest generating a dramaticincrease of understory plants Decaying trees areexcavated for denning sites and attract insectswhich provide a food source Although treecanopies serve as food and nesting sites for avariety of wildlife many forestshydwelling creashytures depend on food and cover at ground levelWithout disturbances the tree canopy shades outwildlife food and cover and impedes growth oftree seedlings on the forest floor Periodic naturaldisturbances can be imitated through forest management

Thinning is a valuable forest managementpractice when conducted with wildlife in mindThe decision to remove a tree should be based on harvesting the lowershyquality and lessshydesirabletree species Taking the best trees decreases theoverall quality of the forest for wildlife and timshyber Remove tree and shrub species that have lesswildlife value to reduce competition around thevaluable ldquocrop treesrdquo Removing the competitionincreases growth rates of the valuable trees andallows their crowns to expand Increased sunshylight to the understory will encourage seedlingsfrom desirable overstory trees and increase coverfor wildlife underneath Cutting trees shouldtake place in late summer or early fall to minishymize disturbance to nesting birds and mammals

Many wildlife species use den trees standingdead trees and downed trees for roosting nestshying resting and food reservoirs from insectsinfesting the dead wood As a rule of thumbretain three to five snags (ie standing dead

13

Figure 19 Woodpeckers and squirrels use standing dead trees called snags for nesting den sites and insect sources Photo by the author

trees) per acre plus a number of den anddowned trees (Figure 19) If few snags ordowned logs are available create them by deadshyening large trees by girdling or herbicide applicashytion The retention of den trees and snags willenhance the propertyrsquos ability to hold a morediverse wildlife community Remove any deadtrees which pose a risk of falling on a building ora location where people congregate

If your property and surrounding propertiesare expansive forests consider creating smallopenings Removing all the trees in an area proshyvides growing conditions for a variety of plantsand increases brooding habitat for groundshy andshrubshynesting wildlife For example wild turkeyand bobwhites use openings for ldquobuggingrdquo andnesting Deer browse on newly emergent forbsand brambles Many nonshygame species such assongbirds depend on openings within forests foryearshyround habitat needs Openings should bewell distributed across the forest for wildlife to gain easy access Openings can be maintainedperiodically by bushhogging mowing orburning

Openings should be designed to maximizeedge Edge is the transition area between twodifferent habitat types Increased sunlight at aforest edge generates a thicker and brushierunderstory and midshystory compared to a fewyards inside the forest interior This transitionzone provides more diverse food and nestinghabitat which attracts more wildlife

An edge can be abrupt such as where forestand field meet Wildlife tend to prefer a gradualor ldquofeatheredrdquo edge which mixes the two ormore neighboring habitat types and containsqualities ofeach (Figure20) Create amore natural appearance to your openshying by avoidshying straightedges Youcan nearlydouble the amount of edge by simshyply meandershying thewoodrsquos edgein a wavyfashion Mix fields and forests alongelevation contours to create natushyral curves rather than squaredshyoffrectangular openings

11 Home is where the nest is

In areas where few natural tree cavities exist or competition for natural cavities is greatscattering nest boxes throughout your propertycan dramatically improve habitat for cavityshynesting species Nest boxes can greatly benefitbluebirds wrens warblers woodpeckers andwood ducks as well as squirrels and birds ofprey (Table 3)

Figure 20 This buffer of native grasses adjacent to shrubs and a riparian area is ideal for whiteshytailed deer wild turkey bobwhites cottontails and songbirds Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

14

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

Figure 19 Woodpeckers and squirrels use standing dead trees called snags for nesting den sites and insect sources Photo by the author

trees) per acre plus a number of den anddowned trees (Figure 19) If few snags ordowned logs are available create them by deadshyening large trees by girdling or herbicide applicashytion The retention of den trees and snags willenhance the propertyrsquos ability to hold a morediverse wildlife community Remove any deadtrees which pose a risk of falling on a building ora location where people congregate

If your property and surrounding propertiesare expansive forests consider creating smallopenings Removing all the trees in an area proshyvides growing conditions for a variety of plantsand increases brooding habitat for groundshy andshrubshynesting wildlife For example wild turkeyand bobwhites use openings for ldquobuggingrdquo andnesting Deer browse on newly emergent forbsand brambles Many nonshygame species such assongbirds depend on openings within forests foryearshyround habitat needs Openings should bewell distributed across the forest for wildlife to gain easy access Openings can be maintainedperiodically by bushhogging mowing orburning

Openings should be designed to maximizeedge Edge is the transition area between twodifferent habitat types Increased sunlight at aforest edge generates a thicker and brushierunderstory and midshystory compared to a fewyards inside the forest interior This transitionzone provides more diverse food and nestinghabitat which attracts more wildlife

An edge can be abrupt such as where forestand field meet Wildlife tend to prefer a gradualor ldquofeatheredrdquo edge which mixes the two ormore neighboring habitat types and containsqualities ofeach (Figure20) Create amore natural appearance to your openshying by avoidshying straightedges Youcan nearlydouble the amount of edge by simshyply meandershying thewoodrsquos edgein a wavyfashion Mix fields and forests alongelevation contours to create natushyral curves rather than squaredshyoffrectangular openings

11 Home is where the nest is

In areas where few natural tree cavities exist or competition for natural cavities is greatscattering nest boxes throughout your propertycan dramatically improve habitat for cavityshynesting species Nest boxes can greatly benefitbluebirds wrens warblers woodpeckers andwood ducks as well as squirrels and birds ofprey (Table 3)

Figure 20 This buffer of native grasses adjacent to shrubs and a riparian area is ideal for whiteshytailed deer wild turkey bobwhites cottontails and songbirds Photo by Lynn Betts USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

14

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

Table 3 Nest box specifications for birds and woodland wildlife in Arkansas

Species Floor Space

Total Height of Box

Entrance Hole

Diameter

Hole Height Above Floor

Mounting Height Above Ground

Location Tips

BIRDS

Eastern Bluebird 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac12rdquo 6rdquo ndash 9rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses

Carolina Chickadee 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Carolina Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

Tufted Titmouse 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 12rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 6rsquo ndash 15rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

WhiteshyBreasted Nuthatch 4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 1frac14rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods backyards near buildings

House Wren 4rdquo x 4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac14rdquo 4rdquo ndash 6rdquo 5rsquo ndash 10rsquo Backyards near buildings

Prothonotary Warbler 4rdquo x 4rdquo or 5rdquo x 5rdquo

6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 11frasl8rdquo ndash 1frac12rdquo 4rdquo ndash 5rdquo 5rsquo ndash 8rsquo Above water or if on land entrance should face water moist soil bottomlands flooded river valleys swamps

GreatshyCrested Flycatcher 6rdquo x 6rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 13frasl4rdquo ndash 2rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas in the sun pastures fields or golf courses woodland clearings or edge of woods

YellowshyBellied Sapsucker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

5rdquo x 5rdquo or 6rdquo x 6rdquo

12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 11frasl2rdquo ndash 13frasl4rdquo 9rdquo ndash 16rdquo 10rsquo ndash 40rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

Northern Flicker Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

7rdquo x 7rdquo 16rdquo ndash 18rdquo 21frasl2rdquo 14rdquo ndash 19rdquo 6rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas with perennial forbs and grasses

Downy Woodpecker Place 2rdquo ndash 3rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

4rdquo x 4rdquo 8rdquo ndash 10rdquo 11frasl4rdquo 6rdquo ndash 8rdquo 5rsquo ndash 20rsquo Woodlots parks and gardens

RedshyHeaded Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Hairy Woodpecker Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawdust in bottom of box

6rdquo x 6rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 11frasl2rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open country farms and parkshylike woodlands

Purple Martin Colony nesters ndash need many nests in same location

6rdquo x 6rdquo 6rdquo 21frasl8rdquo ndash 21frasl4rdquo 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo 8rsquo ndash 20rsquo Open areas at least 40rsquo from trees near utility wires and open water paint white

Barn Owl 10rdquo x 18rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 6rdquo 4rdquo 12rsquo ndash 30rsquo+ Barn or outbuilding near open pasture or agricultural fields

Screech Owl Place 1rdquo ndash 2rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box

8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 8rsquo ndash 30rsquo Woodland clearings or edge of woods

American Kestrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 12rdquo ndash 15rdquo 3rdquo 9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 10rsquo ndash 30rsquo Open habitats including meadows grasslands parkland agricultural fields urban and suburban areas

Wood Duck Place 3rdquo ndash 4rdquo sawshydust in bottom of box screen wire beneath entrance hole to floor

10rdquo x 18rdquo or

12rdquo x 12rdquo

10rdquo ndash 24rdquo 3rdquo x 4rdquo oval 12rdquo ndash 18rdquo 3rsquo ndash 6rsquo above water in wooded swamp or 6rsquo ndash 30rsquo elsewhere

Mature woodlands adjacent to flooded woodlands ponds or open marshlands

MAMMALS

Flying Squirrel 8rdquo x 8rdquo 15rdquo ndash 18rdquo 1frac14rdquo ndash 3rdquo on side of box close to tree

trunk

9rdquo ndash 12rdquo 20rsquo ndash 30rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Gray Squirrel 9rdquo x 9rdquo 20rdquo 3rdquo on side of box close to tree trunk

16rdquo 20rsquo ndash 25rsquo Young to mature woodlands

Raccoon 10rdquo x 10rdquo 24rdquo 5rdquo x 6rdquo oval 19rdquo 10rsquo ndash 20rsquo Streambanks and lands adjacent to wetlands

Bats Request Extension publication entitled Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088)

15

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

Figure 21 A standard design for making nest boxes Use information in Table 3 to modify for larger species

Many designs are available for buildingnest boxes A basic design uses a 5shyfoot 1rdquo x 6rdquoboard in which entry hole sizes can be alteredfor different bird species (Figure 21) (Use inforshymation in Table 3 to modify entry holes or boarddimensions for larger species) Exterior plywoodor longshylasting cedar boards work well Avoidpressureshytreated wood because toxic compoundsused to prepare the wood may affect wildlifeNest boxes need to be built tightly to provide adry rainshyproof shelter with a roof overhangingthe entry hole A small space for ventilation canbe left where the roof meets the walls providedno rain can enter the ventilation gap Fourdrainage holes (1frasl4rdquo or 3frasl8rdquo in diameter) or a grooveshould be drilled in the bottom floor to allow water to escape Bird houses can be painted orstained on the outside Use light colors tominimize overheating during warm weatherThe interior front wall needs a rough surfacebelow the entry hole to help fledglings crawl out

Never use perches on the nest box as thesehelp nuisance birds squirrels and cats gain entryinto the nest Use the exact hole diameter as indicated (Table 3) to keep nuisance birds fromentering nest boxes (If two hole sizes are listedstart with the smaller size first and if nest is not occupied by desired species reshydrill to largerhole size) To protect purple martins and otherbirds it is legal to remove nests and eggs of nonshynative English sparrows or European starlingsOther native songbird species are protected bylaw and their nests and eggs cannot be removedor disturbed

Where and how the nest box is placed canalso deter predators Raccoons snakes squirrelsand cats will prey upon songbird eggs andnestlings in the nest box According to the Corshynell Lab of Ornithology (wwwbirdscornelledu)the best predator deterrent is a combination of asmooth slippery (greased) pole with a predator

16

Figure 22 A predator guard mounted to a pole prevents predators from entering nest boxes

guard (Figure 22) or baffle Avoid using woodenfence or metal Tshyposts as predators can easilygain footholds and enter the nest box Galvashynized pipe or PVC pipe have slippery smoothsurfaces that most predators will have difficultyclimbing Predator guards such as inverted conescan inhibit cats raccoons and snakes from ascending poles Make sure your nest box is placed away from

trees bushes or similar objects where predatorscan jump or hide and your predator guard ishigh enough from the ground that predatorscanrsquot jump over it Latch the roof or side entryusing a screw or slanted removable nail to gainaccess and periodically clean the nest box Avoidusing hinges or hooks as raccoons are adept atopening these fasteners Some species prefer nest boxes mounted on

trees Never use nails to install a squirrel woodshypecker or owl nest box in a tree Nails left in a

tree can be a safety hazard when the tree isremoved Instead use straps bungee cords or expandable fasteners to attach nest boxes

For additional information the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (800shy364shy4263)sells a booklet Woodworking for Wildlife The North American Bluebird Society (www nabluebirdsocietyorg) and the Purple MartinConservation Association (wwwpurplemartinorg)have helpful web sites about nest constructionand predator barriers

12 If in doubt find out

Several state wildlife agencies provide freeguidance about improving wildlife habitat onprivately owned land A number of resourceguides and books are available to assist withplanning wildlife habitat Following is a briefdescription of these resources

17

Private Lands Biologist ndash Provides information about wildlife species and habitat practices Contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Comshy

mission 1shy800shy364shy4263 (wwwagfccom) and ask for the private lands biologist in your region

County Forester ndash Conducts land examinations and forest management plans information about timber markets disease and insect control available

free of charge Feeshybased services are fire lane constructions prescribed burning and timber marking To locate your county forester contact the Arkansas Forestry Commission 501shy296shy1940 (wwwforestrystatearus)

Stream Team Coordinator ndash Provides technical and financial support (costshyshare) for reducing streambank erosion and improving wildlife and fish habishytat on private property

Contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commisshysion 1shy800shy364shy4263 (wwwagfccom) and ask for the stream team coordinator in your region

University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Agent ndash Countyshybased assistance with soil

samples plantings herbicides forest manageshyment some wildlife and pond management Contact the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service 501shy671shy2000 (wwwuaexedu) and ask for the Extension agriculture agent in your county

Plant Identification

Autumn Leaves and Winter Berries in Arkansas by Carl Hunter The Ozark Society FoundationColor photos and descriptions 52 pages

Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by James H Miller and Karl V MillerSouthern Weed Science Society Color photos and descriptions 454 pages

Mushrooms and Other Fungi of North America byRoger Phillips Firefly Press Color photos and technical descriptions Large book notfor the field 319 pages

Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers A Field Guide to Common Wildflowers and Plants of the Prairie Midwest by Doug Ladd and Frank Oberle Falcon Press Color photos and descriptions264 pages

Trees of Arkansas by Dwight M Moore Arkansas Forestry Commission A key to Arkansastrees pen and ink drawings of the leaves fruits and buds Available from Arkansas Forestry Commission httpswwwark orgafcindexphp

Wetlands by William A Niering NationalAudubon Society Nature Guides A compreshyhensive field guide fully illustrated withcolor photographs to the trees wildflowers fish insects birds and other natural wonders of North Americarsquos rivers lakes and swamps 638 pages

What Tree Is That Web site which helps identify trees httpwwwarbordayorgtreeswhattree

Wildflowers of Arkansas by Carl Hunter Ozark Society Foundation and Arkansas Game andFish Commission Color photos and descripshytions 296 pages (Available from Universityof Arkansas Press)

USDA NRCS 2008 The PLANTS Database (httpplantsusdagov 4 September 2008)National Plant Data Center Baton Rouge LA 70874shy4490 USA

18

Wildlife Identification

Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas by Stanley ETrauth Henry W Robison and Michael VPlummer University of Arkansas PressColor photos and descriptions Large booknot for the field 421 pages

Arkansas Butterflies and Moths by Lori A SpencerThe Ozark Society Foundation Color photosand descriptions 314 pages

Arkansas Mammals Their Natural History Classifishycation and Distribution by John A Sealanderand Gary A Heidt The University ofArkansas Press Color photos and detaileddescriptions of mammals and their lifehistories Pen and ink sketches of skulls but not tracks or scat Large book not for thefield 308 pages

Bird Tracks and Sign by Mark Elbroch with ElenorMarks Color photos and sketches of tracksdroppings pellets nests signs of feedingfeathers and more Some species are not presshyent in Arkansas Stackpole Books 456 pages

Enature (web site) wwwenaturecom Provides identification (including vocalizations) andlife history information for every NorthAmerican wildlife species Sponsored by theNational Wildlife Federation

A Guide to Freshwater Invertebrates of North America by J Reese Voshell Jr Color illustrashytions pen and ink drawings and descripshytions The McDonald amp Woodward Publishing Company 422 pages

Mammal Tracks and Sign by Mark Elbroch Colorphotos and sketches of tracks scat burrowssigns of feeding and more Some species arenot present in Arkansas National OutdoorBook Award Stackpole Books 779 pages

Sibley Guide to Birds of Eastern North America byDavid Allen Sibley The Audubon SocietyAlfred A Knopf Publishers Color illustrashytions and descriptions

Snakes of Arkansas (web site) Identification ofamphibians and reptiles of ArkansasArkansas Herpetological Societywwwsnakesofarkansascom

Habitat Management

Arkansas Deer A Managerrsquos Guide for Private Lands by Michael E Cartwright David E UrbstonDavid Long and Fred Ward Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 162 pages Availablefor $750 from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 800shy364shy4263 wwwagfccom

Arkansas Quail Private Lands Management Guide by Fred Ward Rick Chastain Eddie Linebarger Rick Fowler Alan Pogue andAaron Thompson Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 83 pages Available for $750from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 800shy364shy4263 wwwagfccom

A Landownerrsquos Guide to Native WarmshySeason Grasses in the MidshySouth 26 pages httpwwwutextensionutkedupublications wildlife

Managing Wildlife Managing Wildlife on Private Lands in Alabama and the Southeast by GregYarrow and Deborah T Yarrow Alabama Wildlife Federation published by SweetWater Press 588 pages

Wetland Management for Waterfowl A Handbook by Kevin D Nelms (editor) Mississippi RiverTrust Natural Resources Conservation Servshyice US Fish and Wildlife Service 131 pagesAvailable for $5 from Mississippi River Trust 662shy686shy3375 wwwmississippirivertrustorg

Wildlife Management for Arkansas Private Landowners by David Long Martin Blaney and Jon Schneider Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 162 pages Available for $750 from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 800shy364shy4263 wwwagfccom

The Wild Turkey in Arkansas History Biology and Management by Michael R Widner ArkansasGame and Fish Commission 113 pages Available for $750 from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 800shy364shy4263 wwwagfccom

19

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Fact Sheets

These fact sheets are available free on the internet at wwwuaexedu or from your local county Extension office

Forestry

Key to Common Trees of Arkansas (MP344) Ten Ways To Kill A Tree (And How To Avoid Them) (FSA5011)

The Clean Air Act and Prescribed Fire What It Means for Arkansas (FSA5016)

Why We Burn Prescribed Burning as a Manageshyment Tool (FSA5009)

Consulting Foresters for Private Landowners (FSA5019)

What Should I Know About Selling My Timber (FSA5014)

Evaluating the Management Potential of Upland Hardwood Stands (FSA5012)

Forest Landownerrsquos Guide to Field Grading Hardwood Trees (FSA5015)

Using Natural Regeneration to Promote Oaks in Upland Hardwood Stands (FSA5010)

Storing Handling and Planting Southern Pine Seedlings (FSA5007)

Improve Your Pine Stand by Thinning (FSA5001) Landownerrsquos Guide to Determining Weight and Value of Standing Pine Trees (FSA5017)

Timber TheftNo Laughing Matter (FSA5018)

Wildlife

Arkansas Black Bears Biology and Habitats (FSA9086)

Encountering Black Bears in Arkansas (FSA9087) Bats In and Around Your Home (FSA9088) Beaver Damage Prevention and Control Methods (FSA9085)

Best Management Practices for Waterbirds on Agricultural Lands (FSA9098)

Controlling the Eastern Mole (FSA9095) Dealing With Skunks and Odor Abatement (FSA9101)

Elk Arkansasrsquo Largest Wild Mammal (FSA9099)

Wildlife Habitat Practices

Why We Burn Prescribed Burning as a Manageshyment Tool (FSA5009)

Managing Pastures and Haylands for Wildlife (FSA9083)

Establishing Wildlife Food Plots (FSA9092) Seeding and Fertilization Rate Conversions for Wildlife Food Plots and Small Areas (FSA3110)

Calibrating Drills and Broadcast Planters for SmallshySeeded Forages (FSA3111)

Grasses and Forbs for Wildlife Fall and Winter Food Plots (FSA9096)

Forage Clovers for Arkansas (FSA2117) Forage Legume Inoculation (FSA2035) General Traits of Forage Grasses Grown in Arkansas (FSA2139)

Sunflowers Grown for Dove Hunting (FSA2150) Landowner Resources for Wildlife Habitat Assistance (FSA9103)

Financial Assistance for Wildlife Habitat (FSA9104)

Test Your Soil for Plant Food and Lime Needs (FSA2121)

Understanding the Numbers on Your Soil Test Report (FSA2118)

Light Disking to Improve Wildlife Habitat in Grasslands and Old Fields (FSA9100)

Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control for Arkansas (MP44)

Hunting Waterfowl and Doves on Agriculture Lands in Arkansas (FSA9082)

Pond Management

Farm Pond Management for Recreational Fishing (MP360)

Recreational Fishing in Small Impoundments Alternative Management Options (MP447)

Arkansas Farm Pond Management Calendar (FSA9093)

Algal Blooms Scums and Mats in Ponds (FSA9094)

Understanding Your Fish Pond Water Analysis Report (FSA9090)

20

References

Allen J A B D Keeland John A Stanturf A F Clewell and Harvey E Kennedy Jr 2001 A guide to bottomland hardwood restoration Gen Tech Rep SRSshy40 Asheville NC US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southern Research Station 142 p

Anderson Jane E (Ed) 2006 Arkansas wildlife action plan Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Little Rock Arkansas 2028 p (wwwWildlifeArkansascom)

Anderson Steven and R W Altman (unkown date) Nest boxes for cavityshynesting birds in Oklahoma Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service NREMshy9005 4 p

Decker Daniel J John W Kelley and Ronald A Howard Jr 1984 Wildlife habitat enhanceshyment Cornell Cooperative Extension 23 p

Glade Information Sheet 2008 Restoring and managing a glade Conservation Practice Information Sheet ISshyMO643G USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service ndash Missouri 8 p

Gutierrez R J D J Decker R A Howard Jr and J P Lassoie 1984 Managing small woodlands for wildlife Cornell University Extension Information Bulletin 157 32 p

Jones Edwin J Mark A Megalos and Scott J Phelps 1994 Woodland wildlife nest boxes North Carolina Cooperative Extension Servshyice Stewardship Forest Working With Wildlife Series Number 17 4 p

Kelly Lelia 2006 Mississippi recreational gardens establishing a backyard wildlife habitat Mississippi State Extension Publication 2402 28 p (msucarescompubs publicationsp2402pdf)

MacGowan Brian J and Brian K Miller 2004 Size does matter ndash nest boxes for wildlife

Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service FNRshy246shyW 6 p

National Wilderness Institute 1995 State by state government land ownership Washington DC httpwwwnwiorgMaps LandCharthtml (accessed September 26 2003)

Perkins J R 1991 Supplemental feeding Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fisheries and Wildlife Division Federal Aid Project Wshy129shyM 9 p

Tylka Dave 2002 Native landscaping for wildlife and people how to use native midshywestern plants to beautify your property and benefit wildlife Missouri Department of Conservation 181 p

The Wildlife Society Council 2007 Baiting and supplemental feeding of game wildlife species final TWS position statement wwwwildlifeorg 3 p

Yarrow Greg K and Deborah T Yarrow 2001 Managing wildlife managing wildlife on private lands in Alabama and the Southeast Alabama Wildlife Federation Sweet Water Press 588 p

Acknowledgments

Portions were copied with permission from research and content found on the Missouri Department of Conservationrsquos official web site wwwMissouriConservationorg7827

We thank Dr Rob Kissell of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center and the University of Arkansas at Monticello Dr Jon Barry of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service and Dr Nathan Stone Aquaculture and Fisheries Center and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for reviewing this manuscript

21

Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work Acts of May 8 and June 30 1914 in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture Director Cooperative Extension Service University of Arkansas The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race color national origin religion gender age disability marital or veteran status or any other legally protected status and is an Affirmative ActionEqual Opportunity Employer

MP478shyPDshy10shy09N