Field, Old Field and Shrubland Habitats for Wildlife. Open Habitats

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Aubrie Day
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1 Field, Old Field and Shrubland Habitats for Wildlife Emma Carcagno Land and Water Conservation Field Specialist UNH Cooperative Extension, Rockingham County Open Habitats 1

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4 Grasshopper Sparrow Upland Sandpiper Henslow s Sparrow 4

5 Fields and Shrublands in the NH Landscape 70% of the 250 birds, mammals, reptiles & amphibians that breed in NH, use fields, old fields, or young forest habitats at some time during their life This doesn t include the countless numbers of insects! Fields and Shrublands in the NH Landscape 60 wildlife species require fields, old fields, or young forest as their primary habitat type New England cottontail American woodcock savannah sparrow meadow jumping mouse brown thrasher eastern towhee Populations of many of these species are declining as farmland reverts to forest and as forests become more mature 5

6 A Checklist of Factors that determine what wildlife will use open habitats : 1) How big is the habitat patch? large and open small & blocky A Checklist of Factors that determine what wildlife will use open habitats : 1) How big is the habitat patch? 2) How tall & dense are the plants within the patch? short (less than ~12 ) tall & dense mixed height & density 6

2) How tall & dense are the plants within the patch?

mostly grass grasses & wildflowers mostly shrubs or small

isolated in a larger opening in larger opening, connected to

7 A Checklist of Factors that determine what wildlife will use open habitats : 1) How big is the habitat patch? 2) How tall & dense are the plants within the patch? 3) What types of plants are in the patch? mostly grass grasses & wildflowers mostly shrubs or small trees A Checklist of Factors that determine what wildlife will use open habitats : 1) How big is the habitat patch? 2) How tall & dense are the plants within the patch? 3) What types of plants are in the patch? 4) Where is the patch located on your property? isolated in a larger opening in larger opening, connected to the edge along the edge 7

5) What s the landscape surrounding your property? 5) What s the landscape surrounding your property? 8

8 A Checklist of Factors that determine what wildlife will use open habitats : 1) How big is the habitat patch? 2) How tall & dense are the plants within the patch? 3) What types of plants are in the patch? 4) Where is the patch located on your property? 5) What s the landscape surrounding your property? A Checklist of Factors that determine what wildlife will use open habitats : 1) How big is the habitat patch? 2) How tall & dense are the plants within the patch? 3) What types of plants are in the patch? 4) Where is the patch located on your property? 5) What s the landscape surrounding your property? 8

Managers can control most of these factors

density of vegetation in the patch 3) Plant

specific open habitats and see what wildlife

Grasslands Wildlife using very small grassy

9 Managers can control most of these factors that determine what wildlife species will be attracted to open habitats! 1) Size of the habitat patch 2) Height & density of vegetation in the patch 3) Plant species in the patch 4) Where the patch occurs on your property 5) Landscape surrounding your property Let s look at specific open habitats and see what wildlife species can be expected to use those areas Grasslands Wildlife using very small grassy patches or strips Syrphid flower flies solitary bees bumble bees honey bees butterflies moths 9

10 Grasslands Wildlife using very small grassy patches or strips Grasslands Wildlife using very small grassy patches or strips eastern coyote red fox red tailed hawk most birds & small mammals tend to avoid these areas house cats Larger areas of cover will attract & support more wildlife 10

Grasslands bobolink (5 10 acres) meadowlark (25

sparrow (30 acres) (Threatened in NH) Grasslands

center of square or round fields forage on field

area foraging habitat foraging habitat too narrow

much edge) If your property includes large fields

11 Grasslands bobolink (5 10 acres) meadowlark (25 acres) savannah sparrow (20 acres) grasshopper sparrow (30 acres) (Threatened in NH) Grasslands These grassland birds tend to: nest toward the center of square or round fields forage on field edges but avoid them for nesting expected nesting area foraging habitat foraging habitat too narrow for nesting avoid nesting in narrow fields (too much edge) If your property includes large fields you may have opportunities to benefit grassland bird species 11

12 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall 12

13 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall Wildlife are specifically attracted to: highly palatable plant species or varieties young, nutritious, very digestible plants short or sparse vegetation Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall 13

14 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall Male turkeys prefer to display in short grass openings in the spring toms, hens, & chicks forage in openings with short grasses & forbs throughout the year Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall chipping sparrow mourning dove American robin American crow 14

15 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall porcupine groundhog eastern cottontail Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs less than 12 inches tall If these fields contain any ponded water they can serve as important resting sites for migrating waterfowl & shorebirds mallards Wilson s snipe 15

16 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches Wildlife are specifically attracted to: tall plants for cover flowers, seeds & insects for food important winter food & cover 16

17 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches 17

18 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches nesting habitat savannah sparrow feeding habitat 18

hide in the cover of tall grasses and wildflowers

of grasses, forbs, and shrubs Blanding s turtles

from summer heat (Blanding s turtles are Endangered

of special concern) northern black racer

19 Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches white tailed deer fawns regularly hide in the cover of tall grasses and wildflowers turkeys often nest on field edges within tall cover of grasses, forbs, and shrubs Blanding s turtles will use dense, tall grasses & wildflowers as cover from summer heat (Blanding s turtles are Endangered in NH) Grasslands Wildlife using grasses & forbs taller than 12 inches smooth green snake (species of special concern) northern black racer (Threatened in NH) 19

20 Grasslands Wildlife using tall grasses & forbs in wet areas Grasslands Wildlife using tall grasses & forbs in wet areas 20

21 Grasslands Wildlife using tall grasses & forbs in wet areas pickerel frog eastern box turtle (species of special concern) Grasslands Wildlife using tall grasses & forbs in wet areas American bittern great blue heron 21

22 Wildlife using fields with ponded water Grasslands Wildlife using fields with ponded water Grasslands spring peeper red winged blackbird ribbon snake spotted turtle 22

Shrublands Wildlife using shrubby old fields and shrubby farm

called a hard edge and it provides limited habitat opportunities

this usually support the greatest number of wildlife species on

23 Shrublands Wildlife using shrubby old fields and shrubby farm edges Shrublands Wildlife using shrubby old fields and shrubby farm edges This abrupt transition from field to forest is called a hard edge and it provides limited habitat opportunities to wildlife This soft edge is much better habitat areas like this usually support the greatest number of wildlife species on a property 23

24 Shrublands Wildlife using shrubby old fields and shrubby farm edges Shrublands Wildlife using shrubby old fields and shrubby farm edges 24

25 Shrublands Many native shrubs produce fruits eaten by birds & mammals northern arrowwood nannyberry silky dogwood high bush blueberry common elderberry sumacs Shrublands Wildlife eating fruit produced by native shrubs on forest field edges purple finch rose breasted grosbeak Baltimore oriole eastern chipmunk white footed mouse yellow bellied sapsucker black capped chickadee cedar waxwing 25

26 Shrublands Wildlife nesting or foraging on shrubby edges eastern towhee brown thrasher American woodcock meadow jumping mouse chestnut sided warbler black billed cuckoo Predators that hunt in shrubby edges Shrublands eastern coyote eastern hognose snake (Endangered in NH) sharp shinned hawk ermine bobcat great horned owl gray fox 26

27 Shrublands Wildlife using small shrubby edges and hedgerows northern cardinal northern mockingbird white throated sparrow dark eyed junco fox sparrow Wildlife using larger shrublands Shrublands field sparrow willow flycatcher prairie warbler blue winged warbler 27

28 Shrublands Wildlife using larger shrublands NE cottontails require large patches of very dense cover to avoid predators Properties in southern NH may provide habitat for this state Endangered species! New England cottontail (Endangered in NH) Shrublands Wildlife using wet shrubby areas song sparrow gray catbird common grackle common yellowthroat 28

Identify Your Objectives Before You Begin Managing Mowing Timing &

alfalfa food plots keeps forages vigorous, nutritious, attractive

grouse Frequent mowing (1 3 times/year) classic hayfield cover & forage

29 Identify Your Objectives Before You Begin Managing Mowing Timing & Frequency Very frequent mowing (once/month) primarily clover, chicory, alfalfa food plots keeps forages vigorous, nutritious, attractive discourages grasses & weeds (like your lawn) great bugging for turkeys, grouse Frequent mowing (1 3 times/year) classic hayfield cover & forage (deer, turkey, bears) bird nesting & fawning cover Ideally mow after August 1st 29

Mowing Timing & Frequency Infrequent mowing (once/2 3 years) greatest

for turkey broods (and grouse along field edges) blueberries (dry/wet

pollinating insects, small mammals, snakes Great low maintenance way to

Equipment Often best to mow larger fields in blocks to always maintain some

30 Mowing Timing & Frequency Infrequent mowing (once/2 3 years) greatest diversity of non woody plants great cover for fawns, turkeys great foraging for turkey broods (and grouse along field edges) blueberries (dry/wet sites), cranberries (wet sites) provide additional forage Lots of pollinating insects, small mammals, snakes Great low maintenance way to manage small fields to benefit many wildlife species! Equipment Often best to mow larger fields in blocks to always maintain some cover Fields 5 acres or larger may support grassland birds and warrant regular maintenance to maintain grassy conditions 30

31 Shrublands Shrublands 31

Mowing Timing & Frequency Very Infrequent mowing (once/4 10

trees diversity of cover & food: bears deer & moose turkeys

large shrubs and trees less than 4 in diameter Grinds woody

32 Mowing Timing & Frequency Very Infrequent mowing (once/4 10 years) >3 yrs fields get shrubby fruiting shrubs & small trees diversity of cover & food: bears deer & moose turkeys & grouse woodcock Very ephemeral (grows up quickly), very uncommon habitat in NH! Equipment Brontosaurus or similar forestry mower used to mow large shrubs and trees less than 4 in diameter Grinds woody material into fibrous strips that stay on the ground Can mow selectively around fruiting trees and shrubs 32

Mow openings at least 2 acres in size Create a new opening at least every 5 years

33 Mowing Timing & Frequency Area is mowed and allowed to regrow naturally mowed every years Autumn mowing Plant growth following summer Mowing Timing & Frequency Mow openings at least 2 acres in size Create a new opening at least every 5 years Each opening gets mowed about once every years Year 1 Year 16 Year 4 Year 8 Year 12 33

Working Lands for Wildlife Private Landowners Individuals Organizations

34 Financial Help for Landowners Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Working Lands for Wildlife Private Landowners Individuals Organizations (NGOs) US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program Private Landowners Town Lands 34

Habitat Stewardship Series N E W H A M P S H I R E W I L D L I F E A C T I O N P L A N

Grasslands Habitat Stewardship Series N E W H A M P S H I R E W I L D L I F E A C T I O N P L A N Recognizing grassland habitats Grasslands are an increasingly rare sight in New Hampshire. More than 70