LA REATA RANCH WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION GUIDELINES

Transcription

1 Summer Tanager CONTENTS Preface LA REATA RANCH WILDLIFE HABITAT CONSERVATION GUIDELINES Prepared by La Reata Ranch Wildlife Committee Section I y General Cutting and Clearing y Cutting and Clearing the Home Site y Clearing in Property Line and Setback Areas y Utility Easement Clearing y Cutting and Clearing Cedar y Maintaining Pasture Tracts y Example Platt for Cutting & Clearing a Densely Forested Tract y Example Platt for Cutting & Clearing a Pasture Tract y Clearing Entrances and Driveways Section II y Habitat Management Basics y Brush Management y Natural Food Sources y Supplemental Feeding y Shelter y Water y Information Sources Photos by Suzie Johnson 1

2 La L Reata Ranch La Reata Ranch Wildlife Habitat Conservation Guidelines PREFACE La Reata Ranch is an isolated area of mature forest. A unique ecosystem, it supports many species of reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and other wildlife. We ve come to La Reata Ranch because of a desire to live within and enjoy such an extraordinary wooded area. Many of the original landowners still retain wildlife exemptions under the 1-d-1 Open Space Agricultural Valuation Wildlife Management Plan. In order to retain the natural harmony and biological balance of this area, the La Reata Ranch Wildlife Committee has developed these guidelines to help subdivision landowners to conserve the natural resources of La Reata Ranch. Each of us should strive to incorporate the following guidelines into our plans for our land. With planning, it is possible to reach the goals we have for our land and to conserve the natural beauty and wildlife that attracted us to this location. Guidelines cannot address the conditions or landowner objectives for every lot in the subdivision. The Wildlife Committee will work with landowners to provide information and suggestions on maintaining or restoring wildlife habitats on their land while meeting their building objectives. Please review the entire Guidelines document before you alter your land at La Reata Ranch. You can help to minimize adverse impacts to our community s wildlife population and by doing so, maintain our property owner s enjoyment of the natural fauna indigenous to our area. Guidance provided by several different organizations note that the key to preserving and enhancing wildlife resources is the provision of diverse habitats that promote biodiversity (a balanced community of many habitats and resources to support wildlife populations). Components that need to be included in the habitats maintained include items to provide food, water, and shelter for wildlife. At La Reata Ranch, the main wildlife resources to be targeted include non-game birds (e.g., hawks, woodpeckers, cardinals, painted buntings, chickadees, titmice, goldfinches, hummingbirds, etc.), reptiles (e.g., lizards, salamanders, snakes, etc.), amphibians (e.g., frogs, toads, etc.), and small mammals (e.g., squirrels, rabbits, etc.). Providing good habitats for these animals will also enhance habitats for other species such as large mammals and game birds (e.g., turkey, quail, deer, etc.). It is recommended that edge habitat (the area where grasslands and forest meet) be encouraged as it provides the most diversity for wildlife. Edge can be created by cutting wildlife corridors or small clearings for grass (etc.) within forested tracts. Members of the Wildlife Committee will consult with landowners and provide information to help meet the objective of the owners desired land use, while living in harmony with our natural surroundings. There also are many groups and organizations that provide information, assistance, and consultation to landowners striving to conserve their natural resources and manage habitats, and we will provide you with information on how to get this assistance. This document is organized to try to provide you with the means to gain the knowledge required to develop your land and still conserve wildlife. Section I provides some general guidelines and suggestions for preserving, maintaining, restoring, or developing good wildlife habitats within certain opportunities provided by restrictions under the CCR s for the La Reata Ranch Subdivision. Section II provides basic information on common habitat management practices accepted within La Reata Ranch and sources of readily available information. Section III provides contact information for Wildlife Committee members who have volunteered to help landowners in implementing these guidelines. 2

3 SECTION I This section provides suggestions on actions that can be taken - and avoided - to maintain diverse wildlife habitats. GENERAL CUTTING AND CLEARING Please call and meet with a Wildlife Committee representative before engaging in any significant tree or brush cutting or clearing. The Wildlife Committee will work with you on recommendations to best support wildlife management practices on your tract while meeting your goals for your land. Representatives are listed in Section III. It is important to understand that a good forest ecosystem provides understory, midstory and over- story vegetation. Some of these are already missing in areas of La Reata Ranch. How you conduct brush and tree management (thinning or clearing) is crucial. Good wildlife management creates an even healthier forested ecosystem by retaining: y Understory native grasses, wildflowers, and other forbs that have seed heads, berries and nectar to provide food for wildlife. y Midstory brush and short trees like yaupon, huckleberry, dogwood, and possumhaw that provide shelter and food for wildlife. y Overstory taller trees like pine, oak, pecan, and cedar that also provide shelter and food for wildlife. As examples, the following photos and descriptions illustrate actions that DO and DO NOT support good wildlife habitat: 1). Poor Habitat for Wildlife. Extensive clearing destroys habitat, leaving no remaining understory or midstory vegetation for protecting and feeding birds and mammals. 3

4 2). Good Habitat for Wildlife. Retains grasses, wildflowers, understory, mid and overstory vegetation. Has thoughtfully trimmed corridors in dense vegetation which would otherwise obstruct movement of wildlife. Also shows positive, healthy results from good cedar management. CLEARING THE HOME SITE Based on past wildlife management plans for La Reata Ranch, it is preferred that no more than 20% of any tract be cleared for a home site. (This currently is a requirement for 1-d-1 exemption). If you have a 5-acre tract, then one-acre or less should be cleared, keeping habitat and fire safety in mind. Cedar and yaupon are highly combustible, and should be removed, or restricted, within 30 feet of the home. Outside the 30 feet, allow them to remain in clusters. Yaupon can be trimmed down to a 2-foot hedge, or up overhead, to keep a brush fire low to the ground. We also recommend removing dead snags and brush piles close to the home site, as they too can be highly combustible. You will want to save berry and nut trees and shrubs, in this area, so you can enjoy watching the wildlife that forage on them from your windows. The Texas Forest Service can be contacted for information on fire safety issues for homes in forested areas. Save as many upper story trees as possible, while maintaining fire safety principles. If the home site is not well forested, and you must cut down a large oak or pine that is 8-inches or larger in diameter due to house location, please replace it. Plant a replacement tree of at least 3-inches in diameter at an appropriate location. It will grow quickly with a greater chance of survival. This will help sustain the forest ecosystem. 4

5 CLEARING IN PROPERTY LINE AND SETBACK AREAS The deed restrictions within the CCRs for the La Reata Ranch Subdivision result in several easements and property boundary set-backs within which the landowner cannot place permanent structures. These areas lend themselves well to preservation or restoration of good wildlife habitats. Brush and tree cutting or thinning should be done carefully in these areas, and as per required qualifying easement uses. Plan to reestablish any lacking native grasses, wildflowers, understory, midstory and overstory vegetation. If there is a large area too dense and thick with brush to allow wildlife movement, you may want to thin the brush and/or cut a 10-foot wide corridor through for wildlife movement. If cedars are in close proximity of a pine or oak, or growing in such numbers that they are a potential fire hazard and/or no longer providing a good habitat mix, then some thinning of cedar may be done in setback zones. Otherwise, please leave them (or replace them with other appropriate trees and shrubs), as they provide good habitat and a respectful privacy screen for you and other homeowners. UTILITY EASEMENT CLEARING Utility companies require clear-cutting when installing utility lines on property lines, and regularly maintain clear space to minimize problems with the utility lines. After your utility lines have been installed, please encourage appropriate vegetation colonization, or planting, of native grasses, wildflowers, understory, and midstory vegetation. Wildlife biologists say that utility easement clearing actually creates good edge habitat for wildlife to move, forage, and feel protected. photos by suzie johnson 3). Utility easements, freshly cut (left), and after 5 years of good habitat management (right). 5

6 CLEARING LAND BETWEEN SETBACKS AND HOME SITE Land between setbacks and home site should be maintained as a balanced ecosystem, providing shelter and nourishment for wildlife, and should follow suggestions in Section II, Habitat Management Basics. Regular maintenance to control yaupon and cedar overgrowth is important. Both are excellent for habitat, but in excess can impede forest diversity and create a fire hazard. We suggest you allow them to remain but maintain them in clusters or strips, with each cluster no greater than fifty feet in diameter. If greater than 50- feet, we suggest clearing a five to ten-foot wide corridor through it to allow movement of wildlife. In the setback zones of the tract, trails may be cut for owner enjoyment, hiking, and wildlife observation. Five to ten-foot wide corridors may be cut as well, so birds can more easily fly to feeders around the home. These same corridors can provide edge for other wildlife. Rake dead pine needles away from these corridors and mow them seasonally. This encourages better grass and wildflower growth for grazing. In addition, small clearings may be cut to allow more sunlight for ground floor grazing vegetation. Help develop a more diverse ecosystem in La Reata by planting clusters of pines, oaks, midstory trees and understory shrubs between setback zones and home site. This will bring in birds for enjoyment and allow privacy to both you and surrounding homeowners. As much as is practically possible, allow this area to grow as a healthy, forested habitat. photos by suzie johnson 4). Photo on left could use better management. There is little diversity. But raking out old pine needles gives dormant seeds a chance to sprout. Right photo shows how better habitat was created in just three years, after raking and providing some periodic watering. 6

7 CUTTING AND CLEARING CEDAR Cedar trees are good for wildlife habitat. They provide protective cover and nesting materials for many species of birds. However, cedars also draw enormous amounts of water from the soils. This can cause surrounding pines, oaks, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers to suffer. We recommend thinning or clearing cedar in close proximity (within 5-feet) to pine, oak, and other midstory and overstory trees. Also, cedars may be thinned out so they don t upset the natural balance and biodiversity of the site. Allowing cedar to remain in clusters helps to maintain wildlife habitat, so long as fire safety is maintained. Cedar offers good privacy screening between the home site, the neighbors, and the street. Male cedars carry pollen, females bear light blue berries, and their bark is used by birds to build nests. It is best to maintain mainly female trees for wildlife food. This also reduces the problem of cedar fever caused by pollen from dense stands of male cedars. Waiting until the winter months (their pollen season) to cut cedar helps you locate the males and makes the trees easier to cut with less sap in the tree trunk. MAINTAINING PASTURE TRACTS La Reata Ranch was formerly part of a large ranch with pasture areas. Pasture is good habitat, providing animals with a variety of grazing grasses and seed heads for nourishment - if the proper native grasses and forbs are allowed to grow. We suggest pasture tracks be maintained by mowing regularly, as this promotes grass diversity. Otherwise, the more dominant grass species will out-compete other species. Different types of wildlife feed on the less-dominant species for specific needs. However, pasture of Bermuda grass, and other non-native grasses, provide limited, if any, benefit to native wildlife. Wildlife doesn t normally feed on these non-native grasses, and may not be able to properly digest them. Please use native grass species for your lawns and pastures. There are several sources of native grasses, including Callahan s General Store in Austin and Native American Seed (website at ). If mowing of pasture areas is not possible, cut trails with a weed-eater to allow smaller animals to move and forage on less dominant species that will grow in the cut trails. Large tract owners with horses, cows, or goats should practice rotational grazing, to allow grasses to recover. Clusters of pines, oaks, midstory trees and understory shrubs can be planted around the home site, fence rows, and setback areas to bring in birds for enjoyment. This will also allow privacy to both you and surrounding homeowners. We encourage that setback areas be allowed to grow as healthy, forested habitats, as much as is practically possible. Clusters of trees and shrubs can be planted (or maintained) within pastures to provide shade for domestic livestock as well as habitat for wildlife. 5). Good example of a pasture tract that is regularly mowed, and encourages re-growth of mid and overstory vegetation in setback areas. 7

8 EXAMPLE PLATT PLAN FOR CUTTING AND CLEARING A DENSELY FORESTED TRACT drawing by suzie johnson Setback areas, with healthy, fully forested 3-story ecosystem. Natural areas and clusters to provide dense habitat for wildlife, and privacy for surrounding homeowners. Healthy, maintained areas to encourage growth of a balanced, 3-story ecosystem, with brush management, trails and corridors. Leave standing dead snags and brush piles for habitat. Clearing for home site and lawn (up to 20%), fire safety, driveway, street entrance, road side drainage ditch, trails, corridors, seed plots, and small clearings for native grasses/wildflower areas for foraging. 8

9 EXAMPLE PLATT PLAN FOR CUTTING AND CLEARING A PASTURE TRACT drawing by suzie johnson Setback areas allowed to re-grow or be maintained as 3-story forest eco-system. Cluster planting of lower, mid, and overstory trees and shrubs to improve setback and home site vegetation. This creates better habitat, and privacy for surrounding homeowners. Healthy, diverse native grasses maintained by grazing and/or regular mowing. Some cluster planting for shade and improved habitat diversity. Clearing for home site and lawn (up to 20%), driveway, entrance, roadside drainage, and trails. 9

10 CLEARING FOR ENTRANCES AND DRIVEWAYS Entrances and driveways should be cleared in a manner to remove as few trees and shrubs as possible, so that privacy, forest and habitat diversity can be maintained. Planting and mowing native grasses and wildflowers around the entrance and driveways encourages biodiversity and edge habitats. 6). Photos of entrances and drives that blend well with La Reata s natural environment. 10

11 SECTION II HABITAT MANAGEMENT BASICS Edge habitat in La Reata draws turkey hen and chicks Food, shelter and water are the 3 basic components required for good wildlife populations in La Reata Ranch. There are many things homeowners can do to create or maintain these components for better wildlife management. Good habitat management gives us greater viewing pleasure, as we get to experience seeing deer, foxes, bobcats, coyotes, turkeys, migrating birds, songbirds and more - on a daily basis, right from our windows. There are several organizations that offer information and guidance on providing good habitat management activities for wildlife management. We will provide contact information for several of these groups at the end of this section. BRUSH MANAGEMENT Too much brush greatly restricts wildlife and can be a fire risk. Uncontrolled brush growth lacks the vegetative diversity to support wildlife. Basically, the greater the variety of native plants, the greater the variety of native animals we will have (often this variety is called biodiversity). Create trails, meandering corridors, and enhance natural openings and meadows within your wooded areas. Creating trails is the best way to create edge. This provides travel corridors for animals, increases sunlight available for new plants to grow, while maintaining cover for animals. Habitat edge supports the greatest biodiversity by providing more plant types and the wildlife that use them. Having habitat that has overstory, midstory and understory vegetation is a sign of a balanced, healthy, forested ecosystem. A mixture of woody vegetation (trees and shrubs), broad-leaved herbaceous plants (forbs weeds and wildflowers), and native grasses will provide the greatest biodiversity: y Wildflowers will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, insects for insect-eating birds, produce seeds for seed-eating birds and are a favorite food source for deer, rabbits and other small mammals. y Native grasses will produce seed heads for seed-eating birds and ground cover for ground nesting birds and mammals. y Understory & Midstory shrubs will provide escape cover, nesting and perching places and berries and flowers that can serve as food for birds and small mammals. y Mature trees will provide nesting and food sources including insects, mast (nuts), and fruit for a variety of birds and small mammals as well. 11

12 Helpful Photos on Brush Management: 7). Poor Habitat for Wildlife. Edge created where forest meets sparse grass has no diversity. Provides no grass variety, wildflowers, or seed heads. 8). Good Habitat For Wildlife. Nice edge created near home site with beautyberries and a seed plot planted. By offering varied natural grasses and seed heads to birds, small mammals, and deer where they feel protected, they frequent the area, to the enjoyment of both property owners and wildlife. 12

13 9). Good Habitat for Wildlife. Nice corridor cut through denser forest. It provides overhead cover, where wildlife can feel comfortably secure. Can forage and seek shelter as well. NATURAL FOOD SOURCES Natural food sources are ones native to this region of Texas, or have been naturalized and can be utilized by local wildlife. The goal is to provide a variety of native species as food sources, rather than have wildlife rely only on supplemental food supplies, such as bird seed and other commercially sold critter food. Growth of natural foods can be encouraged by good brush management and planting. A few natural food sources are listed below. Additional food sources can be found by researching the information contacts listed at the end of this section. Yaupon Holly This is the dominant understory plant in La Reata Ranch. It is evergreen, with red berries that are eaten by many species of birds. Deer occasionally browse on the new growth. It is also good nesting cover. Yaupon is commonly targeted in brush management here, since it often times grows so densely. Possumhaw Closely related to Yaupon, however, Possumhaw loses its leaves in the wintertime (deciduous holly), leaving a brilliant display of orange berries. Many birds feed on them, and it s preferred over yaupon by deer. American Beautyberry Beautyberries produce bright purple berries in clusters along stems from August through November. 13

14 It s one of the most highly-preferred browse species for deer, with berries eaten by numerous mammals and birds. Dogwood Dogwood is a good understory tree, and grows surprisingly well in Bastrop County. It s a highly-preferred browse species for deer. Over 40 species of birds feed on its fruit. Bearing very pretty white flowers from May through August, dogwood makes a beautiful addition to the understory in La Reata Ranch. Plums Mexican Plum and Hog Plum produce fruit eaten by birds and mammals. They bloom in early spring, producing white flowers. Trumpet Creeper Trumpet Creepers are vines that produce beautiful, orange tube-flowers. Highly favored by hummingbirds, their nectar helps with migration. Trumpet or Coral Honeysuckle Honeysuckle is an excellent native flowering vine, also highly favored by hummingbirds in helping with migration. Turk s Cap This is an excellent hummingbird attractant that s a good native ground cover. Birds eat the fruit. Lantana Lantana is an excellent butterfly & hummingbird attractant. Birds eat the berries. Carolina Cherry Laurel Cherry Laurels have attractive, dark green, shiny leaves. Birds love the berries. Snags or Dead Trees Please do not remove these. They re a great food source for insect-eating birds, like the large, pileated woodpeckers frequently seen in La Reata. They also provide sites for nesting cavities for birds such as woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees, owls, whistling ducks, and other species. Save dead snags! SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDING The following information on different types of feeders is very helpful to when faced with purchasing feeders for the eating preferences of local birds and other wildlife. There are a wide variety of feeders out there. Utilizing more than one type will increase the variety of birds that visit your site. We will also touch on how to prepare food plots. Tube feeder with Carolina Goldfinch feasting on thistle seed 14

15 One thing that s important to remember when supplemental feeding is to keep the feeding areas clean of discarded seed, hulls and excrement. Clean feeders well, at least yearly if not more frequently. Clean under feeders more routinely, especially when in heavy use. Unclean supplemental feeders and the area surrounding them may result in the spread of diseases and poisons such as aflatoxin and salmonella. Following are a few of the different types of feeders, and the birds that prefer them: Hopper & Ground Feeders Hopper feeders are usually mounted on poles about 5 ft off the ground or hung from trees. They re intended to provide dry storage for several pounds of mixed seed, which will tumble forward on demand. They attract small birds such as chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches, pine siskins, purple & house finches, and larger birds such as jays, grackles, and cardinals. Ground feeders should consist of a screen-bottomed tray that sits several inches off of the ground in order to keep grain and bird excrement from coming in contact to lessen the chance of spreading disease. They are favored by doves, juncos, sparrows, towhees, goldfinches and cardinals. Ground Feeder with Red Bellied Woodpecker and Bunting Tube Feeders Tube feeders can be used to feed sunflower seeds or smaller seed types like thistle and niger. Sunflower seed tubes will attract chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, goldfinches, pine siskins, and purple and house finches. Thistle or niger seed tubes attract goldfinches. One can also get special fine-meshed tube feeders or ones that have the perch above the feeding hole in order to force birds to hang upside down to feed which gold finches don t mind, and less desired birds do. Male Painted Bunting eating mixed seeds on tube feeder Suet Feeders Suet feeders are used in the winter or cooler months when temps don t exceed 80 degrees. You can make your own suet, buy pre-made mixes, and even buy special suet blocks that don t melt. Suet is readily eaten by La Reata s titmice, chickadees, nuthatches, woodpeckers, wrens, creepers, warblers (and squirrels). Preventing access from above will prevent use by undesired, larger birds such as crows and jays. The paddle types are best for woodpeckers, since they can use the elongated board below the feeder as a tail prop. Pine Warbler on suet feeder photo by dave sager photo by dave sager Hummingbird Feeders A variety of hummingbird feeder designs are available. Make your own food or buy a pre-made mix. You do not need to color it red! The ratio is 4 parts water to 1 part sugar, boiled for about 2 minutes, then allowed to cool to room temp before putting out. Hang several but far enough apart so that hummingbirds can t see more than one feeder at a time. Try to hang away from windows to prevent birdwindow collisions. Some hummingbird feeders have little mesh covers over the holes to discourage bees and wasps from entering. Look for feeders that are easy to clean inside. Female Black-Chinned Hummingbird at Feeder 15

16 Fruit and Peanut Feeders Fruit feeders attract orioles and other fruit-eating birds, whereas peanut-feeders attract woodpeckers and nuthatches. Squirrel-Proof Feeders You can buy or make home-made baffles to prevent feeder access by squirrels, or buy special feeders designed to close when excess weight is applied. Some feeders come with built-in baffles. Squirrel Feeders This is a great way to keep the squirrels off of your bird feeders Squirrel-proof feeder with Vesper Sparrows Cat-Proof Feeders Yes, it s important to make sure that you either keep your cats inside if you re feeding birds, or make sure to allow plenty of cover for birds to retreat to from the feeders (ground cover and perching sites). Also, make sure that your cat doesn t have any ambush sites too close to the feeders. Cats on average kill birds, small mammals and reptiles a year even if you don t see the evidence. Dogs can also deter wildlife by barking and chasing squirrels, rabbits, deer, raccoons, armadillos, etc. It s best to keep your domestic pets away from wildlife by fencing them in or keeping them inside as much as possible. Feral cats in La Reata Ranch should be captured and neutered. Food Plots Food plots can be developed for many types of seed or grain bearing plants for wildlife to eat. Clear a small area anywhere on your tract to entice birds and other wildlife. Turn the soil, and seed or plant the food plant chosen. The plant can be anything from selected native grasses or grains (wheat, oats, bluestem, etc.), seed bearing flowers (sunflowers, thistle, etc.), or other food bearing plants. The plot should be large enough to providea significant food source for an extended time but not detract from the other habitat needs for your land. photo by dave sager Food Plots with Seed Heads (above) and Sunflowers with Tube Feeder (left) Deer Feeders NOT RECOMMENDED White-tailed deer are native to the state of Texas and have been a part of the state s wildlife community for millennia. While deer populations in Texas have risen and fallen throughout the years, natural food limitations, wild predators, and regulated hunting have generally kept the population in check. Roaming deer are often involved in collisions with automobiles and also carry the ticks that transmit Lyme s disease. Overabundant deer can increase the chance of collisions and of humans contracting Lyme s diseases. An important step in preventing conflicts between people and deer is to NOT FEED THE DEER VIA SUPPLEMENTAL FEEDERS. There are several reasons that providing supplemental food for deer is not good for the community or the deer themselves: 16

17 Providing handouts may cause deer to become dependant on artificial food sources that are not part of their natural diet. Young animals accustomed to handouts may not form normal foraging habitats, which can cause them to starve if handouts are discontinued Landowners provide deer corn, which is a poor food source (high in sugars and low in protein), and can cause health problems in deer. Deer used to receiving handouts may lose their fear of humans and become dangerous to people or pets especially during the fawning and rutting seasons in the spring and fall. Feeding deer in the backyards also encourages deer to gather close to houses and roads, increasing the potential for damage to landscaping, collisions with cars and confrontations with people and pets. SHELTER Shelter provides animals with areas to nest, feed, and hide from predators. Shelter can be provided by natural habitat features (e.g., brush piles and snags) or man-made structures (e.g., nest boxes and bat houses). Information on ways to provide shelter is available through the various sources noted at the end of this section and brief examples are provided here. Brush Piles Brush piles occur naturally within forests when limbs are shed and trees topple. Brush piles provide shelter for birds, reptiles, and certain small mammals. Brush piles can be created using limbs and brush cut during brush management activities or gathered from the ground. Adding brush piles to your land will diversify the habitat and protection for wildlife. Brush Piles and Snags are Nature s Perfect Habitat Snags Snags are standing dead timber. Snags occur naturally within forests but can also be developed during brush management activities by keeping standing trunks from trees that are thinned on your land. Snags provide feeding areas for birds that eat insects (such as woodpeckers) and nesting sites for cavity nesting birds (such as woodpeckers, titmice, chickadees, etc.). It is important to maintain snags on your property since this is a habitat component that has decreased with the common practice of cutting down dead timber. Snags should not be kept close to buildings due to potential concerns for fire and falling timber but should be maintained in other areas of the property. photos by dave sager photo by dave sager Nest Box Nest Boxes Nest boxes (and Bat Houses) can be placed on your property to provide shelter and nesting sites for various birds. Nest boxes are constructed to attract (or meet the requirements of) specific bird species. Purple martin colonial houses can be purchased and erected on tall poles to attract this species. A clear flyway is needed for successful colonization by martins. Typical bird houses are a completely enclosed structure with drain holes in the bottom and a entry hole sized to the bird desired. The height that the nest box is placed at also depends on the species of interest. Several of the information sources noted at the end of the section discuss bird house designs and target species. Rock Piles Rock piles provide shelter for reptiles and can easily be made with the plentiful rocks in the area. Stone fences or just piling rocks collected from the area provide this structure. 17

18 WATER Water is one of the most critical items for wildlife management, and depending on the species targeted, can vary from a small container placed on the ground to a constructing a large pond. If natural sources of water exist on your land, supplemental water sources may not be needed. Since birds are the main wildlife species being targeted for management in La Reata, we will mainly discuss water systems of benefit as watering and bathing locations for birds. However, other wildlife species will also use these systems. The most important things to remember are that the water supply must be kept clean and fresh in order to prevent the spread of disease, and the water source should be placed near escape cover to prevent predation. Some examples of supplemental water sources are provided below. More can be found in the resources noted at the end of Section II. Ponds A pond provides the most natural type of supplemental water for a variety of wildlife, and can be a valuable source of water for drinking, bathing, and breeding. When planted with the appropriate vegetation, a pond can become a haven for all manner of creatures. Most landowners will not want to undertake the large expense of building and maintaining a large pond on their land. However, small ornamental ponds are easy to build and provide additional aesthetics and enjoyment - beyond the benefit to wildlife. These ponds can vary from the size of a bucket or tub to a substantial area and depth with water plants, waterfalls, and other features. The ponds should have a continual source of water and shallow areas to allow birds to enter the water for bathing and drinking without fear of drowning. Suggestions for ponds can be found from several of the sites listed at the end of this section. Components can be obtained from Home Depot, Wal Mart, Tractor Supply, and several water garden nurseries in the area. Ornamental Rock Pond Bird Baths Bird baths are a good choice for properties where regular maintenance can be given and water is readily available from a faucet or well. Given their small size, a number of baths may be added to an area and can help attract wildlife to other habitat resources, such as feeders or nest boxes. Bird baths can vary from ornate systems with constant water flow, heaters, and fountains to simple plastic containers on the ground. Any of these systems will attract birds for your enjoyment and their benefit, especially during hot, dry summers and during winter conditions. It is important to maintain water in the bird baths so wildlife can depend on the water source. The water and bath must be kept clean to reduce the potential to spread diseases. If you would like to determine the potential before spending money for a fancy bird bath system (or ornamental pond), you can use a simple device to see what wildlife activity results. The top to a plastic garbage can (or some similar object) or a paint holder used for paint rollers can be placed in (or on top of) the ground so birds can get to the water. Attaching sprinkler (or misting) features to the bird bath will enhance its use. The sound of running water attracts birds and some species (such as hummingbirds) like to bathe in the mist rather than in the bath itself. photos by dave sager American Robin (left) and House Finch (right) drink from paint roller trays. 18

19 While installing a bird bath can be a low cost project, they do require regular maintenance. Follow the routine below to help ensure a clean and reliable water source for wildlife. 1. Rinse and refill baths daily to keep the water source fresh and clean. 2. Scrub out the bath with a scrub brush and a mild soap each week. 3. Disinfect baths at least once per month by soaking it in a solution of 1-part bleach to 9 parts of warm water. Soak for several minutes, rinse, and refill with clean, fresh water. Following this routine will help prevent baths from becoming centers for disease, such as salmonellosis, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis, avian pox, and mycoplasmosis. More frequent cleaning and disinfecting may be necessary if sick or diseased birds are observed in the area. (Look for birds with unkempt feathers or birds that are less alert, less active, feed less and are often reluctant to fly away as you approach them as signs of sickness). Fowl Watering Systems There are several types of watering devices developed for the fowl industry to for watering devices (often called chicken water troughs). It consists of a water reservoir (of several gallons) and a watering trough or container. These devices can be purchased at Callahan s General Store in Austin, Tractor Supply in Bastrop, and elsewhere. You can build your own system by using a 5 gallon (or larger) bucket with a sealed lid and the bottom water tray from a planter large enough so the inverted bucket will sit in the bottom of the tray. Drill a few small holes around the rim of the bucket. Fill the bucket with water, place the lid tightly on the bucket, and set it upside down in the tray. The water will fill the tray to the level of the holes drilled in the bucket and as the water is used more water will flow from the bucket into the tray. The water in the bucket should last several days so you will not have to continuously fill it. photo by donna payne photo by dave sager illustration by dave sager Store-bought and Homemade Fowl Watering Systems Detail Drawing Wildlife Water Guzzler - If you are not able to visit your management area on a daily or weekly basis, installing a large capacity watering device can benefit wildlife while you are away. Large capacity watering devices can range from as small as 3 gallons or as large as 500 gallons. Smaller capacity containers, such as a 5-gallon poultry waterer, generally need weekly to monthly refilling, depending on the size of the storage tank. A larger capacity waterer, such as a 55-gallon drum, may be able to provide water for one to three months at a time. Whatever the size, it is important that they be refilled and cleaned as regularly as possible to provide a constant, clean source of water for wildlife. 19

20 INFORMATION SOURCES For your use, we have tried to list several good sources for information on habitat and wildlife management, to plan how you can maintain wildlife on your property, and enhance your enjoyment of your land and the wildlife present. There are many more sources of information, and we will try to help you get the information you need. The sources listed are well known for their expertise in the area of habitat and wildlife management. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: website at: You can search this website for information on many subjects. You ll find technical guidance on wildlife management, developing backyard habitats (wildscapes), plants recommended for Bastrop County, and information on individual species. Wildscapes technical guidance: Recommended plant lists: Species information: Wildlife management: Texas Wildscapes Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program: Book, Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife by Kelly Bender and Noreen Damude (1999), Texas Parks and Wildlife Press. Texas Cooperative Extension Service: This website for Bastrop County offers a lot of information including xeriscaping, master naturalist information, many publications, and other items. This website provides the document Water Gardening in Texas: Website developed by Larry J. Shoemaker, Michael A. Arnold, and William C. Welch for the Texas Cooperative Extension Service of the Texas A&M University System. More water gardening information: Natural Resources Conservation Service: This website provides a lot of information on conservation methods for the backyard and home, along with many publications available on points of interest. Backyard tip sheet on Backyard Ponds: Bastrop County Master Naturalist Chapter: This website provides a lot of information and links to other websites with information on the wildlife resources and habitats in Bastrop County. National Wildlife Federation: website at: This website has a lot of information on nature, gardening for wildlife and home habitat management, including certifying your land as wildlife habitat. National Audubon Society: website at: This website has information on birds and other wildlife and developing backyard habitats for wildlife. 20