|
|
Niches
for wildlife
There are many artificial features that can be incorporated
into habitat creation schemes to provide the wildlife niches
which would under natural conditions only occur when habitats
are very established. Bird and bat boxes provide substitutes
for natural holes that would occur in old trees but which are
absent from young woodlands. Artificial otter holts are more
massive constructions which substitute for the absence of bank
side roots of big trees. Waterside banks can be constructed
for nesting kingfishers and sand martins. Floating rafts provide
an opportunity for terns to nest undisturbed in the middle
of large pools. Piles of dead wood can be also left to disintegrate
slowly with the help of beetles, woodlice and other invertebrates,
fungi and mosses and at the same time provide refuge for small
mammals and birds.
 A
bird box in a young tree.
|
 A
bankside artificial otter holt under construction.
A raft to encourage terns to nest away from
predators.
Piles of wood provide for a wide range of
animals. |
