Frog-friendly backyard

How to attract other wildlife to your backyard

Both your pond and backyard can become 'home' to many other species of animals besides amphibians. A rock or earth island will provide a safe habitat for nesting waterfowl and basking turtles. Submerged rocks and logs provide habitat for dragonfly and other insect larvae, while partially submerged logs provide basking areas for turtles and frogs, and hunting posts for herons.

You can fill your pond's surrounding habitat with butter flies and hummingbirds by planting the specific plant species listed in Appendix A. Birdhouses for both upland and waterfowl species are often very successful around ponds. Waterfowl nesting structures and houses can be placed on poles in the pond to protect them from predators.

	A simple bird box plan made from a piece of pine or cedar 48" long x 6" wide x 3/4" thick.
	a. A nail in each side allows the front to pivot open for cleaning each year.
	b. Drop front 1/2 inch to leave a gap for ventilation.
	c. Spring loaded eye hook keeps box hooked closed so raccoons cannot raid the nest.

You should be ecstatic every time you see a new animal in your backyard because it means you are that much closer to having your own balanced ecosystem. Depending on the size and location of your pond, natural succession over the years may allow your pond to become home to rabbits, deer, muskrats, bats, mink, turtles, snakes, crayfish, geese , ducks , herons and dragonflies . These animals are important dispersal agents for plants. Over time you should notice an increase in diversity of plant species in your created wetland.