Natural explorer :: Creating Reptile/Amphibian Hibernacula & Refuges

Natural explorer :: Creating Reptile/Amphibian Hibernacula & Refuges: In creating ’five-star’ hibernacula there are a number of factors to consider.

Materials: Wood, tree roots, rubble, compost, mulch etc, can all be used.
Design: Mix up these material in a natural way, avoid being too tidy. Have nooks and crannies and places where material will come through any cover.
Cover: Put turfs of suitable vegetation on top (ideally from the location since it will contain invertebrates) - a natural grass and bramble mix, a ’wilderness turf’ being ideal.
Planting or relocating suitable scrub on the north side of the hibernacula also provides extra cover and, crucially, shade.�
Location: The best sites get both sun and shade, often in ’marginal’ habitats between open locations and more overgrown areas.
If you do remove soil and turfs from the location�that is going to�be placed back on top,�store it on tarpaulin to minimise the impact on�surrounding�vegetation.
Loosen up any surrounding areas that were compacted during the work Have the right long term management plan.

Froglife

Froglife: ‘Refuges’ are flat objects placed on the ground in a sunny spot – they absorb warmth from the sun and also provide cover from predators, making them perfect places for reptiles.

Sheets of corrugated tin or roofing felt are ideal but slate roof tiles are less obtrusive in smaller or more traditional gardens. By occasionally lifting these refuges you may get a chance to see some of our more elusive species.

Froglife

Froglife: A sunny, south-facing compost heap makes an excellent reptile habitat. Slow-worms, in particular, are often found buried within them, feeding on the numerous slugs and ants. Frogs, toads and newts may also forage or hibernate in a compost heap.

Pre-formed compost bins can be less accessible but if there are holes or gaps then they may also be used. You can construct your own compost heap out of old pallets – these will provide plenty of access points for wildlife. If you leave piles of grass or leaves around the garden, these will also attract amphibians and reptiles.

Cover your compost heap or grass pile with an old carpet or tarpaulin for extra protection and basking opportunities. Checking under this cover can be a great way to get a closer look at the creatures living in your garden.

Froglife

Froglife: Ponds don’t need to be large to attract wildlife – frogs and newts may still lay eggs in small water bodies (1m wide or even less). Even if frogs and newts don’t choose to spawn in your tub pond it will certainly help them to keep cool and moist in the summer and many insects and other animals will make use of it. All you need is a container such as a large tub or a recycled sink or half-barrel. Sink this into the ground or, with safety in mind, alternatively leave it standing and simply fill with water (preferably rain water) and aquatic plants. If your pond is free-standing, make sure there are plenty of logs, pebbles and plants in and around the pond to provide access for wildlife.

Froglife

Froglife:

Just Add Water

Just Add Water is a national campaign to encourage the public to dig wildlife ponds, especially in urban environments. In some areas this can counteract the enormous loss of countryside ponds in recent years, and help local frogs, newts and other wildlife flourish.

One third of ponds are thought to have disappeared in the last fifty years or so and of those that remain more than 80% are thought to be in ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ condition*. This has had an enormous impact on wildlife, particularly amphibians. Your efforts locally can make a big difference.

The Just Add Water handbook includes information on:

• Digging your pond: Everything you need to know about size, shape, pond liners and plants.
• Maintaining your pond: Tips on when to do what and how to make sure you pond is safe.
• Enhancing your pond: Ideas for improving the rest of your garden for amphibians and reptiles.
• Enjoying your pond: Some of the benefits of having your own wildlife pond, or enjoying someone else’s!

If you would like to get your hands on a Just Add Water booklet please download our Just Add Water PDF

Froglife

Froglife:

We have a great range of projects doing really exciting, practical and inspirational things all over the UK.  Your support can help ensure that these projects are even more successful.  Many of these projects just require co-funding, meaning that a small donation can contribute to a really big impact.

Landowner's Guide: Backyard Management Resource Links

Landowner's Guide: Backyard Management Resource Links:

General Backyard Management:

• "Attracting Birds in Winter," Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources
  Food and planting recommendations for several winter visitors.
• Attracting Wildlife, WindStar Wildlife Institute
  Basic information on attracting wildlife, plus which foods birds prefer at feeders.
• "Attracting Wildlife to Your Back Yard," USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
  A guide to increasing wildlife diversity and aesthetic value around your home.
• Backyard Birding, Baltimore Bird Club
  Some good information, and lots of links.
• Backyard birding, Travis Audubon Society
  Articles on creating your own backyard habitat - focus on Austin and Central Texas.
• Backyard Conservation Tip Sheets, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  How agricultural conservation practices can be adapted to your backyard.
• Backyard Conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  28-page color booklet that covers much the same material as the above tip sheets.
• Backyard Habitats, Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
  Tips on many aspects of creating a backyard wildlife habitat.
• Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program, National Wildlife Federation
  Provides information about creating a backyard habitat and certification program.
• Basic Survival Needs, Nutty Birdwatcher
  Providing water, cover and food for backyard birds.
• Bird Pamphlets, USFWS Office of Migratory Bird Management
  "How to" pamphlets on backyard birding.
• Earth-Joy, Michigan Native Plant Resource Center Backyard management and more, including a list of Michigan native plant sources.
• Enhancing Your Land for Wildlife, Greatplains.org
  A huge number of articles, focusing on the Great Plains area, but applicable elsewhere.
• Fisheries and Wildlife Topic, University of Minnesota Extension Service; Forest Resources Extension
  Several detailed guides regarding managing land for wildlife.
• Gardening, Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  Tips & Techniques on gardening for wildlife and with wildflowers, as well as a garden botany section.
• Gardening Articles, The Butterfly Website
  An unbelievable collection of links relating to gardening for wildlife.
• Green Landscaping with Native Plants, U.S.EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
  Lots of information with an emphasis on the Great Lakes Region.
• Habitat Fact Sheet Series, University of Maine Cooperative Extension
  Fact sheet series for people who want to create, enhance or manage backyard habitats.  Part of Maine's Publications Online Catalog (scroll part way down page). 
• In Your Backyard, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  Many articles relating to backyard management.
• Information Categories from About.com
  Some articles from their own experts mixed with links from all over.
  • Birds in Your Backyard
  • Native Plants
  • Wildlife in the Garden
  • Low-maintenance Landscaping
  • Wildlife: Planting
  • Zone Maps
• The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
  Wildflowers and more!
• Landscaping with Native Plants, Wild Ones -- Natural Landscapers, Ltd.
  A quick list of compelling reasons for landscaping with native plants.
• Native Plants, Michigan State University Extension
  How to grow native plants for many different land types.
• Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  Informational and financial assistance for private landowners.
• Plantings for Wildlife, Michigan State University Extension
  Lots of plant possibilities keyed to bird species.
• Plants Database, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  Searchable database and fact sheets for native and non-native plants.
• A Sense of Place, Ohio State University
  Information for the development of urban landscapes based on locally adapted plant species.
• Sources for Native Plant Material, Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society
  Emphasizing the lower Midwest.
• Urban Wildlife, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
  A series of "How to" publications for attracting wildlife.
• Wild Acres Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
  Tips on how to invite wildlife to your backyard.
• The Wild Ones Handbook, U.S.EPA & Wild Ones -- Natural Landscapers, Ltd.
  A compendium of useful information for the native plant landscaper and wildflower gardener.
• Wildflowers, GardenWeb
  Links to the various resources GardenWeb has relating to wildflowers and native plants.
• Wildlife and Habitat, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
  Geared more toward farmers and ranchers, but provides useful information for the backyard.
• The Wildlife Gardening Web Site
  Includes an unbelievable collection of articles and links.
• USDA Conservation Programs, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
  Financial and informational assistance for habitat restoration on private lands.
• Wildlife Publications, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
  Multiple articles about backyard and other wildlife management.
• Wildlife Publications, University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension
  Various publications on birding and wildlife management.
• Windbreaks and Wildlife, University of Nebraska Extension
  How you can protect your home from cold winter winds and help wildlife too.
• Working with Wildlife Series, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension
  Includes pamphlets on many different aspects of working with wildlife.

Plant Lists for Attracting Wildlife:

• Landscape Design with Native Plants (5 lists for 5 landscape types), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Landscape Plants that Attract Birds (PDF 726KB), University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension
• Landscaping with Native Plants, U.S.EPA Great Lakes National Program Office
• Native Plants Useful to Wildlife, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
• Planting for Wildlife, The Nest Box
• Plants for Butterfly, Moth and Hummingbird Gardens, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Plants for Wild Birds, USFWS Office of Migratory Bird Management
• Recommended Species for Michigan, Earth-Joy
• Some Backyard Plants that Help Wildlife, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension
• Trees, Shrubs, Vines and Ground Cover Recommendations for North Dakota Provided by North Dakota State Forest Service, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
• What to Plant, Alabama Cooperative Extension System
• Wildflowers for Butterflies and Hummingbirds, Prairie Frontier
• "Wildlife-attracting Plants for the Home Landscape," Delaware Cooperative Extension

See Also Backyard Management Resource Links For:

• Wildflowers
• Trees & Shrubs
• Grasses & Ground Covers
• Special Feature Gardens
• Bird and Other Wildlife Feeders
• Homes for Wildlife