urban environments & landscaping for wildlife mark hostetler extension wildlife specialist...
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Urban Environments & Landscaping for Wildlife
Mark HostetlerExtension Wildlife Specialist
Department of Wildlife Ecology & ConservationIFAS, University of Florida
Overview
• Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Wildlife
• Florida bird monitoring program
• How to certify your yard
• Landscaping for birds
• Urban environments – people, wildlife, and impact
Florida Cooperative Extension Service – WildlifeWho are we?
– Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, IFAS, University of Florida
What do we do?– In issues regarding wildlife
• Advise the public• Develop educational programs• Disseminate information• Conduct research
Available Wildlife Information?
• Landscaping for wildlife
• Conservation and management of wildlife
• Human/wildlife conflict
• Detailed information on species
• Wildlife education programs
• Web site: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension– Print on demand– Links and information– Educational programs
• Call your local extension office
• Call Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or visit www.state.fl.us/fwc
Where to Go for Info?
Urban Environments
• Over 77% of people in North America
live in urban areas
Residential Developments
• Impact on Natural Resources:
• Energy, Water, and Natural Habitat
• All animals need:–Food–Cover–Water–Space
Landscaping for Wildlife
Photo by Joe Schaefer
Habitat
Birds?
R.-thr. HummingbirdY.-rumped Warbler
Northern Mockingbird Red-tailed HawkO.-crowned Warbler
Life History Stages of a Bird
Egg Baby Bird Immature Adult
Reproductive Adult
Seasons of a Bird
• Breeding
• Wintering (non-breeding season)
• Migrating (Fall and Spring Migration )
Range Map – House Wren
Summer
Winter
Year-round Species
Northern Mockingbird
Carolina ChickadeeScreech Owl
Tufted Titmouse
Migratory Species
Red-eyed Vireo American Goldfinch
American Redstart
Partial Migrants
Your Yard
Different species may appear in your
yard at different times of the year
Can Serve As:A breeding siteA wintering siteA stop-over site(A dispersal site)
Providing Habitat for Birds
FOOD
Provide Insects
Photos courtesy of www.flwildflowers.com
Insect Eaters
Hairy Woodpecker
Yellow Warbler
Great-crested Flycatcher
Insect Habitat = Bird Habitat
• Plant native species
• Reduce pesticide use - Spot treat
- Use alternative methods of insect control
• Reduce the amount of mowed lawn - Design islands of “wild” areas
• Save dead trees (snags)
Suet/Peanut Butter Feeder
• During winter, stock a wire cage with peanut butter or suet
Provide Seed
Seed Eaters
White-crowned SparrowHouse Finch
Tufted TitmouseBlue Jay
Seed Feeders
• Hanging feeders
• Platform feeders
Provide Fruit
• Plant native fruit species– Many different plant species produce fruit
(hollies, cedar trees, beauty berries, wax myrtles)
www.flwildflowers.com
Beautyberry Holly spp.
Provide Nectar
(¼ cup of sugar to 1 cup of hot water)
• Provide a hummingbird
feeder
Trumpet vine
• Plant species with
red, tubular flowers
www.flwildflowers.com
Fruit and Nectar Eaters
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Brown ThrasherCedar Waxwing
Northern Mockingbird
Provide Meat
Meat Eaters
Barred Owl
Loggerhead Shrike
Great-horned Owl
COVER
Cavities
• Cavities are in
short supply in
neighborhoods
Primary Cavity Nesters
Hairy WoodpeckerHairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker
Secondary Cavity Nesters
• Photos of owls, titmice, chickadees, etc.Tufted Titmouse
Great-crested Flycatcher
Carolina Chickadee
Eastern Bluebird
Providing Cavities
• Leave a snag on your property
(woodpeckers)
• Provide a nesting box
(secondary cavity
nesters)
Vegetation for Cover
• Plant or maintain a variety of plant species
• Increase vertical height diversity
Organized Chaos
• Stop mowing!
WATER
Water
• Bird baths
• Running water
• Ponds
Space
Example: Trees and a Bird
Scale-dependent Decisions of a Wren and a Hawk
TractHome Range
Habitat PatchesFood Patches
TractHome Range
Habitat PatchesFood Patches
HAWK
WREN
Different Birds Make Decisions at Different
Scales
Larger birds = broader scales and larger patch sizes
Smaller birds = limited scales and smaller patch sizes
How To Plan For Space?
• Be aware of habitats surrounding your property and plan accordingly
• Think about the size of the bird
• Talk with your neighbors (e.g., plan bigger patches)
• Experiment!
• Embrace uncertainty!
Summary
• Bird Habitat – food, cover, water , & space
• Food - plant for insects, fruit, nectar & small animals; provide bird feeders
• Life Stages – breeding, wintering, & migration
Summary
• Cover - vertical height diversity; “wild areas”; keep snags, provide nest boxes
• Water – ponds, bird baths, running water
• Space – scale and bird size, talk with neighbors, group vegetation
TOP TEN TIPS!
By Joe Schaefer
1. Limit the Amount of Lawn
2. Increase Vertical Layering
3. Provide Snags
4. Provide Water
5. Plant Native Vegetation
6. Provide Bird/Bat Houses & Feeders
7. Remove Invasive Exotic Plants
8. Manage Pets
9. Expand the Scale
10. Reduce Pesticide Use
Design Process
First year Third year
Get to Know Your Property
• OBSERVATION– Shady areas
– Wet areas– High traffic areas
– Existing plants – Views
– Topography
Step 1
Draw a Base Plan
• Sketch your site (to scale)
– Draw property lines– House, driveway– Fences, any other human-built structure
Step 2
Sketch Existing Landscape Structure
• Water (where is it? where does it go?)
• Views (good views and unsightly views)
• Type of soil
• Plants (what kind, where are they?)
• Topography (low and high ground)
Step 3
Checklist of Desired Uses
• Functional areas –
humans
Step 4
• Functional areas –
wildlife
Create a Diagram
• Draw your
future landscape
Step 5
Bird Monitoring Program
Birds?
R.-thr. HummingbirdY.-rumped Warbler
Northern Mockingbird Red-tailed HawkO.-crowned Warbler
• Create simple, standardized methods to survey birds
• Create a Web site linked to a data base where participants can enter and view collected bird data
Objectives
Utility
• Can measure how bird diversity changes over time
• Participants can compare results and interact with other birders
• Participants interact with their environment
• Added component for any educational or experiential program
Point Count
• Stationary survey of birds in a given area
• Used for small lots or landscapes where it is difficult to walk through
Point Count
20 m
10 minutes
Transect Count
• A route is walked and birds are counted on each side
• Used for large properties or surveys of neighborhoods
Transect Count
20 m
20 m
Enter and View Data
• Participants enter data through the Web site (need User ID and Survey Code)
• Anybody can view the results online
THE WEB SITE!
Florida Bird Monitoring Program
http://bird.ifas.ufl.edu
Florida Wildlife Habitat Program
Backyard Program:
• Contact local county extension office
• Participants describe current yard, wildlife seen and future landscaping plans
• Yard is evaluated and recommendations made
Upon certification, participants receive a certificate and sign
Summary
•Wildlife Info: www.wec.ufl.edu/extension
•Landscaping for birds:
- Food, Cover, Water, and Space
- Top Ten Tips
•Bird monitoring program
•Certify your yard
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Developed byDeveloped by: :
Dr. Mark Hostetler, Department of WildlifeDr. Mark Hostetler, Department of WildlifeEcology and Conservation, IFAS, Ecology and Conservation, IFAS,
University of Florida, 2001.University of Florida, 2001.
AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
Photo & Sound Credits:Photo & Sound Credits:
Mark Hostetler, Joe Schafer, and Dan SudiaMark Hostetler, Joe Schafer, and Dan Sudia
USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos):USGS Patuxent Bird Center (Bird Photos):http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html
FL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.eduFL Museum of Natural History: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu
Flower Photos:Flower Photos:Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com Florida Wildflower Showcase : http://www.flwildflowers.com