There are many things you can do to attract wildlife to your property. How much time and effort you want to spend is entirely up to you. On a
small scale, you can put up a bird feeder and a bird bath in places most suitable to attract a variety of birds. On a larger scale, you can improve living conditions for many types of wildlife. In fact, small landowners like yourself are essential to wildlife. You have many options. Here are a few:

  Plant flowering dogwoods and shadbush to provide food for over twenty species of songbirds.

 Encourage the growth of white pines, hemlocks and other conifers that provide important food for wintering birds like chickadees, pine siskins, and small mammals like red squirrels and voles.

 Clear a patch in your woodland for migratory songbirds, deer, ruffed grouse, woodcock and other species that benefit from the vigorous tree growth that occurs after space is opened up.

 Create a snag, or a standing dead tree, for the many species of wildlife that use them.

 Create brush piles that wild turkeys, rabbits, hare, and small mammals use for nesting and hiding.

 Dig a small pond or pool so wildlife have an accessible water source.

Download the complete chapter:
Chapter 2. Home Improvement for Wildlife: Making Your Woods Attractive to Wildlife
(pdf format: 951KB)