PART VII: Backyard Management
HOMES FOR WILDLIFE II PLANS
t is essential to provide wildlife with the habitat components of cover, food, space, and water. Providing homes will help provide cover and will aid in attracting a variety of wildlife to your backyard. This chapter furnishes plans for the previous Homes for Wildlife chapter. Most of the plans here are for birds, but there are also structures for squirrels and rabbits. The plans for the bluebird house and bat house can be found in their respective chapters in the Species Management section. All birdhouses are made from 34" wood; do not use metal. Also, to prevent rain from seeping into the cracks enclose the floor with the sides instead of nailing the sides to the top of the floor. Attach birdhouses to a support post, building, or tree. All nest boxes should be predatorproofed to prevent threats from climbing predators such as housecats, raccoons, and squirrels. In most cases this can be done by placing a metal cone or a sheet of tin on poles or around trees underneath the nest box.
House Wren, Black-capped Chickadee, Nuthatches, Flying Squirrel, Deer Mouse, White-footed Mouse Nest Box
11 8 x 1 hole / 8 front side (2)
holes
roof
floor back 1 1
Two pivot nails, one t op front and one t op back, allow side t o swing out for cleaning. Use one nail or screw at bot tom t o hold side closed. Nut hat ches and flying squirrels require an ent rance hole that is 1 in diameter. Also, remember t hat a hole larger t han 11 in diamet er will admit house sparrows. /8
Flying Sqirrel
Northern Flicker
Wood Duck
holes 3 x 4 diamet er hole
holes floor 7 2 diamet er hole front 1 1 4
front
20
side (2)
1 1
1 1
t op 28 back
24
side 9 7
1 1
floor
roof
1 0
Hinge roof for cleaning, and use a wire to keep box shut .
32
back
American Robin, Barn Swallow, and Eastern Phoebe Nest Shelf
8
t op
floor
Hinge roof for cleaning, and use a wire t o keep t he box shut . Place body of box 5 from t he t op of t he back. Fill t he box t o t he t op wit h sawdust. 1 3
8 side (2) 6
back
6 3 3 4
Wood Duck
Place body of shelf 2 from t op of back.
HOMES FOR WILDLIFE II
American Kestrel, Gray Squirrel, Red Squirrel, and Fox Squirrel
3 diamet er hole front front holes
1 6
side (2)
9 7
floor
22
back
1 2
t op
9 Hinge roof for cleaning, and use a wire t o keep box shut . Place 3 of sawdust in bot t om of box. For a squirrel box, place ent rance on side of box inst ead of front .
Mourning Dove and Mallard Nest Basket
1 2 2 1 2 Cut wit h t in snips to form a circle. Cut out a pie shape, and wire edges t ogether t o form a cone. Place ont o t ree limb wit h wire.
A mallard basket can be made in the same way using 36" x 36" wire mesh, and placing on 2' 2" basket pipe above water. Vegetation for nesting is placed in the mallard basket and secured with soft wire.
HOMES FOR WILDLIFE II
Squirrel Tire Den
E.
D. B. A.
C.
F.
Old t ires can be reused t o const ruct a squirrel den. Use a regular, non-steel belt ed, t ire. A) remove t he bead from bot h sides of t he t ire, and cut t he t ire in half. B) cut a 3 t riangle from each corner of the bot t om of the t ire. C) In t he same end, cut a 3 diamet er semicircle (t his is t he entrance hole). D) Cut 3 flaps in sidewalls about 1 3 distance up from t he bot t om of t he t ire. E) Punch holes int o the sidewalls as shown. / F) Fold t he short end of t he t ire int o t he long end, and secure wit h roofing nails and washers. Hang wit h heavy wire or met al rod.
Rabbit Den
Dimensions of the burrow are not critical. A bottom is not necessary, as it will sit on the ground. Use durable lumber for the box, and bury it at ground level. Two semicircles should be cut on opposite ends at the bottom of the box. The tile should fit snugly into these holes. Bury the tiles at about 45 degree angle from the surface of the ground to the bottom of the box. Private Land Partnerships:
FOR ADDITIONAL CHAPTERS CONTACT: Michigan United Conservation Clubs PO Box 30235 Lansing, MI 48909 517/371-1041
This partnership was formed between both private and public organizations in order to address private lands wildlife issues. Individuals share resources, information, and expertise. This landowners guide has been a combined effort between these groups working towards one goal: Natural Resources Education. We hope this manual provides you with the knowledge and the motivation to make positive changes for our environment. FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE: CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CONSERVATION DISTRICT
