Nongame Wildlife Habitat Guide

Home , Common watersnake, Pecatonica River

Cover photos by Jeff Hastings, Bob Hay and Tom Dornack Acknowledgments Trout Unlimited would like to give special thanks to Bob Hay, former Wisconsin DNR herpetologist, for helping us better understand herps and their needs, assisting us on designs, editing and revisions to our new addition, and his work guiding the Wild and Rare Committee. We would also like to acknowledge Tom Lane and Joe Schmelz, District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Wisconsin, for developing the “Standard Designs” for the various non-game species. In addition, we wish to recognize Jaime Edwards, Nongame Biologist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Dave Vetrano, retired Fisheries Biologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for providing comments and additions to improve the terrestrial and instream non-game wildlife habitat feature designs for this guide. We are grateful to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for their financial support to print and distribute this report. This guide is also reflects the contributions a number of professionals that make up the “Wild & Rare Committee” that met several times in 2011 to provide input to this guide.

Disclaimer: The partnering agencies, individuals or organizations that collaborated to produce the practices contained herein make no claims as to the effectiveness of their implementation. Introduction Projects Restoration Stream for Opportunities Complimentary Guide: Habitat Wildlife Nongame is being used for stream restoration restoration for stream used being is equipment construction that time same at the species other non-game Developing habitathabitat for needs. species’ about those of knowledge of alack because primarily reptiles, and mammals invertebrates, birds, amphibians, as such species game habitatto incorporate for non- failed have often upper Midwest the in projects restoration stream past habitat However, create and for trout. streambanks to stabilize of dollars conservation agencies spend millions county state and federal, year Each habitat for trout. incorporating and streambanks stabilizing by streams Area to improveDriftless working been have organizations conservation and conservationist years over fifty watershed hydrology.altered For to aquatichabitat,damage and temperatures,increased stream water quality, degraded in resulting sediment, fine and soils with have inundated been creeks of spring of miles hundreds region, the Across influences. human these exacerbated has topography region ofsteep the The region. this in watersheds of the sedimentation subsequent and erosion have to led extensive practices use Land disturbances. of human history a from suffer Area Driftless of the habitats riparian and streams The ago).(approximately years 10,000 period glacial last the during glaciation escaped due having to its to 1,719 603 from elevations ranging with topography steep very includes area The limestone-bedrock. underlying the from spring that miles) river 4,000 (more than streams 1,200 than more interlaced with is area This 1). (see Figure Illinois northwestern Iowa extreme and northeastern ofareas southeastern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin, and includes square-mile24,000 area primarily in distinct ageographically is basin, River Upper Mississippi of the heart the in located Area, Driftless The

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© Jeff Hastings Juvenile frog wood Wetland along the scrapes Branch East of the Pecatonica, WI NOTE: NOTE: are likelyare to restored use upland habitats. that species speciesand non-game aquatic or includealso common wetland, riparian agency species experts as well. well. as experts species agency non- local to put you touch with in able be may also folks These staff. Resources of Natural Department and universities and colleges local at departments biology as such yourarea, in experts species local contacting by area immediate more your in to exist likely are that species 4 Your target should list species mammals and possibly non-game fish. fish. non-game possibly and mammals invertebrates, herptiles, birds, game upland and habitats for non- riparian wetland, of instream, capacity toward increasing the carrying contribution ablebe to make apositive may you appropriate, where project, into your features some of these integrating them. benefit By can that habitat features number of specific a describes and species non-game wetland/aquatic and riparian upland, of about habitat of avariety the needs information provides guide This

© Bob Hansis their review and approval process. approval and process. review their within decisions informed better to make reviewers project allow also should Matrix The intended purposes. their at accomplishing succeed to likely are that habitat features incorporate only that plans develop proponents help project will guide improvement to the This crops. row of primarily comprised is landscape surrounding the if to succeed likely may even less be apasture in scrapes Wetland amphibians. for benefits to have likely is limited more pasture active an within scrapes wetland adding otherhand, the On frog. pickerel the and frog cricket northern the like species of SGCN populations improve may and also your area in species amphibian common of to benefitpopulations likely is corridor riparian intact an within scrapes wetland example, adding For list. on target your benefitspecies to likely most are habitat features which determine reviewers agency to helpand guide planners of this 18 on pages -19 provided is Matrix Decision Landscape A Habitat Feature species. non-game benefit could that of habitat asuite features provided simply guide previous The landscapes. surrounding the habitats within and immediate the within purpose intended its to accomplish likely is habitat feature whether aparticular determine better planners project to help modifications includes Guide Habitat of this edition second The well up front and in writing. writing. in and upwell front information this to get best It is required. be will approvals and permits what and if to determine program regulations wetland/water state’s your with to check implemented. sure Be be can plans approval the before county, state and/or federal require likely to are or waterways floodplains wetlands, existing within disturbances proposed any that mind Keep in Nongame Wildlife Life History Consideration Amphibians (Class Amphibia) Amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders are cold-blooded animals, most of which metamorphose from a larval form to an adult form. A majority of them require access to both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Most amphibians lay their eggs in standing water but have varied habitat preferences on land, ranging from Bob Hay open canopy grasslands to dense © Blue-Spotted Salamanders forests. Suitable breeding habitat is critical to their long-term survival. water loss. Downed woody debris,

Amphibians in this region generally healthy duff layers and areas of shade Bob Hay © breed during three peak phenology often supply these microhabitats. Northern Leopoard Frog windows, although overlaps often occur Adult salamanders often live narrow valleys. The impacts of between these windows (see Amphibians underground or under large woody over-grazing and early agricultural Breeding Phenology Calendar- Figure 2). debris on land when not breeding. practices have significantly altered These breeding windows may vary Vernal pools and ponds were not most stream drainages in this area, annually due to climate. The early historically abundant in the Driftless often resulting in broader floodplains. spring breeding frogs mostly rely on Area due to steep topography and These floodplains provide managers ephemeral wetlands or ponds that do not support predatory fish. Successful recruitment for most amphibians requires surface water for at least 3-5 months during spring and summer, although there are some exceptions where that time period may be shorter. Most of the Driftless Area’s terrestrial salamanders breed in water in April and their larvae transform from mid-July through early September. They require longer water persistence than the early breeding frogs. The middle phenology breeders require water presence well into August. These breeding frogs, like the early breeders, reproduce most successfully in fishless environments. The third phenology involves three frogs that breed from late May through early-August. Of these, two species have overwintering larvae (American bullfrog and northern green frog tadpoles) and require permanent waters. The third species, the endangered northern cricket frog, breeds in semi-permanent and permanent water but the larvae transforms in the same season. All three of these species have developed chemical or behavioral means by which to reduce predation rates by fish. Frogs and salamanders have thin, semi-permeable skin that needs to remain moist. Therefore, upland habitats must provide microhabitats that allow them to avoid damaging Figure 2 5 Reptiles (Class Reptilia) Reptiles, for purposes of this guide, include snakes and turtles. They are cold-blooded animals with scales covering most or all of their skin as opposed to having smooth moist skin like amphibians. Terrestrial and most aquatic reptiles lack the ability to internally regulate their body

Jeff Hastings temperatures but instead rely on external © Vernal pool influences to achieve their preferred Bob Hay body temperatures. As such, they rely on © with the opportunity to create and Common Gartersnake restore wetlands adjacent to these ambient air and ground temperatures, streams. Consult with your county as well as sun and shade, to regulate and state’s wetland/water regulations their body temperatures. Varied habitat program during the project planning structure that offers a range of canopy phase to obtain approvals and conditions and that favors open canopy permits as may be required. conditions is very important for reptiles. Reptiles also require overwintering Amphibians spend the winter in a microhabitats underground or underwater variety of ways. Some overwinter to avoid freezing during the winter. underwater to avoid freezing while others burrow below the frost line to Reptiles, especially turtles, are slow avoid freezing. The endangered northern to mature and are often long-lived D. Nedrelo

species. As a result, extremely low © cricket frog is unique in its overwintering Blanding’s turtle requirements. They cannot withstand annual adult mortality is essential to population maintenance. Therefore, it is freezing nor can they withstand more quickly in spring, providing better being underwater for more than a few important to avoid their overwintering period (typically from mid-September conditions for foraging on invertebrates hours. Because they cannot effectively and aquatic vegetation. Shallow burrow to escape freezing, they require through mid-April) when doing project installations in or adjacent to streams. standing water helps turtles complete specialized microhabitats where they their annual life cycle. can avoid freezing, yet still retain Aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles require moisture. Crayfish burrows, cracks in basking surfaces to increase their body Snakes are primarily terrestrial damp unfrozen soils near the shoreline temperatures. This helps them digest animals. They have relatively high or near seeps, and other microhabitats food, acquire Vitamin D and maintain thermal preferences and prefer are essential to this species’ persistence. shell health. Gravid females bask in open canopy habitats. The most Research is needed to determine how to spring to elevate their temperatures in commonly encountered snakes along best create, manage and maintain these order to allow for timely egg develop. streams in the Driftless Area include critical microhabitats. The lack or loss of Many turtles will commonly emerge the common gartersnake and the these microhabitats is a major limiting from overwintering habitats as soon as common watersnake. These snakes factor for cricket frogs. the ice melts. Turtles that overwinter feed on a combination of amphibians, in riverine settings often migrate in crayfish, worms and fish. Several early spring to adjacent wetlands and other snake species are found in shallow ponds. These habitats warm up streamside communities in this area but are less dependent on it. Many of these snakes are communal denning, meaning that they congregate to overwinter. In areas where natural den sites are limited or absent, artificial structures can be created to meet their overwintering needs. (See page 46) Bob Hay A. Badje © © Northern cricket Frog in soil crack, one of its overwinter microhabitats Wood Turtle 6 Birds(Class Aves) Not all removed, trees are only the invasive/shallow rooted trees fall into the categories of insectivores of insectivores categories into the fall species bird non-game water-associated Most birds. associated wetland- and riverine many of the includes This soils. ice or frozen coldby temperatures, not is limited resources to food access where climates advantage of warmer to take south migrate they many birds, for availability food impact Midwest the in winters Because influences. of external regardless temperatures body stable internal maintain that Birds are warm-blooded species with a diverse mix of species (forbs of species mix adiverse with planted be and structure vegetative varied have should habitats upland and Riparian over time. provided naturally to be likely are features microhabitat diversity. Some of these invertebrate aquatic maximize to way best may the be structures and temperatures,depths, substrates waterwith flowing varied habitats and standing Providing working. are where you watershed or region the in community riparian natural intact an within occur that microhabitats and macro many of the replicating by accomplished may best be of species range abroad of such cycles for life the Providing important. most the perhaps is aresult as and chain food animal of the or base backbone the is species group of diverse exceedingly This and insects) arachnidsInvertebrates crustaceans, (protozoa, annelids, arthropods, mollusks, on these habitats alone. on these not but dependent are corridors, stream found along be can of birds variety seeds).Awide and vegetation wetland/aquatic with along mammals, small and reptiles insects, fish, amphibians, including of prey variety wide a eat which predators, general (more omnivores or fish), primarily eat (which including insects), piscivores invertebrates eat (which years, if a diverse plant community plant community adiverse if years, early the in management, especially planting typically requires significant native maintenance of adiverse and establishment planted. The initially are they management after not receive will properties of these most that we recognize because species We this include perspective. thermoregulatory a from species game of non- valuable is that to avariety structure alow-canopy it provides because bluegrass, Kentucky as such plant some exotic species, including We purposefully once are established. layer vegetation herbaceous a varied of achieving likelihood greatest the forbs) and have that (grasses species exotic native and both contain that mixes seed suggesting we are this, to order achieve In grasses). and Solitary Sandpiper Solitary

© J. Hastings variety of nesting opportunities. opportunities. of nesting variety a provide habitats can riparian in grasslands) and brush (trees, structure habitat Varied kingfishers. and swallows habitats for bank nesting important be can banks Vertical foraging. and nesting for structure provide can and otherbirds and hawks for areas perching provide trees Dead kingfisher. beltedthe like eaters fish for and kingbirds eastern as such birds eating of insect for avariety important over water the Perches are birds. for wading excellent foragingareas provide along streams areas backwater and mud flats ponds, of shorelines gradient low wetlands, Shallow Black Swallowtail Black habitat requirements, including host host including habitat requirements, specific their and species about these knowledge appropriate.as Having plant host include seeds can mixes abutterfly, as seed such invertebrates, target for one SGCN or of more the to improveconditions attempting is aproject Where achieved. to be is habitat variable structure with

© Bob Hay © Bob Hay © R. Jordahl Dragonfly a wide variety of amphibians, birds, birds, of amphibians, variety a wide valuable water shallow habitats for extremely provide supply. Beavers food to their to improveaccess aquatichabitat order create in they because communities riverine in found animals of the among all sizes of downed woody debris. debris. woody of downed sizes and types varying and rocks imbedded thesurface, on flatrocks include invertebrates for structures microhabitat terrestrial Other area. yourproject within species these accommodate you if can determine to essential is types, soil and plants North American beavers American North habitats. riverine utilize also to bears, shrews from mammals, other Many environments. riverine with associated highly are weasels, short-tailed and beaver, otter, mink muskrats, as such mammals, A few (e.g. hollow trees). structures protective in or underground hibernate others while of fur, coat adenser growing by year-round active remain Many not do seasonally. migrate Midwest the of Mammals tolerance. temperature of cold degrees varying with animals warm-blooded are Mammals Mammals (Class Mammalia) Mammals 8 are unique unique are

© Bob Hay © Bob Hay to the carrying capacity of the area. area. of the capacity carrying to the add and biodiversity improve local and help habitats can stabilize alternative These itself. stream on the impacts negative having without this do can they and impoundments shallow from benefit that species many non-game for the conditions similar provide habitats that create can specialists However,streams. restoration stream cold-water and cool on controlled often are they trout, habitat to beneficial instream impact and waterspecies fish cool/cold impact can stream to the lived. However, because these changes relatively short habitats are created habitats. These instream impact andcan of fish; migration upstream block can stream; the warms that water impounding by for streams problems create However, also beavers reptiles. and mammals invertebrates, restorations on public and private lands. and public on restorations incentive to programs aid native plant may grants, be cost other share and using exotics. Furthermore, there administer program and before agency established. Consult with your regulatory rare remnant plant communities already your native/ project may and infact harm that receiving you are funding for program with conflict may indirect be the mixture Note. Meadow Fritillary The use of exotics use The inyour seeding North American beaver American North

Donated © Bob Hay Backwater Refuge: Backwater Log: Logs/Escape Basking Hook: Backwater WI Co. Iowa Creek,Backwater Gordon on hook Instream Habitat Features that benefit Nongame Wildlife amphibian, the northern cricket frog. frog. cricket northern the amphibian, endangered only Wisconsin’s for important particularly is feature habitat This frogs. and invertebrates for anumber of aquatic ideal are and vegetation low sparse and support typically sediments shallow These 25). page Habitat (See Designs or sand. of flats shallow mud creating sediment, of for deposition the allowed that bars elm should be used when possible. used should be elm and oak as such longevity, hardwoods waterat the interface. To increase occur will rot submerged partially only are logs waterbasking flow. Because obstruct would notthey significantly flows where normal during surface water above the sit just they that so placed and bank into the anchored be can 29). page Habitat Logs Designs excavator. an with simple (See task a is logs, or escape logs, basking permanent Creating 2002). al. et (Christoffel bones) shell the overlaying plates (the keratin of scutes shedding the with some species assists and growth fungal and bacterial inhibiting to shell dry, the allows Basking maintenance. and development shell for important is and food their from for uptake of calcium the important is sun the Dfrom Vitamin digestion. in aids and temperature body their regulate helps turtles and snakes grass mixtures were possible. possible. were mixtures grass short Utilize 26-27). page Designs Habitat (See amphibians. and habitat idea create for reptiles stream placed adjacent to the structures Construct point point Construct These shallow shallow These Basking Basking

© Jeff Hastings © Bob Hay Brush anchored with stableBrush are rocks valuable provide and habitat, Hay Creek, MN submerged so that the log won’t log the that so submerged rot. but 15% all and log of the OHWM water high mark ordinary below the should log be of the majority vast The bank. opposite on the erosion you that in don’t create careful be 34). page You want to Designs will Habitat (See log. on each roots with orof DBH five logs inches or larger 16 inches of 24 aminimum should be Brush Bundles: Brush Log Deflectors: Weirs: Rock Channel Cross Logs: Channel Cross such as LUNKERS and Skyhooks. Skyhooks. and LUNKERS as such structures intostream flowin other to direct used be can also They completely are submerged. they if indefinitely last will logs channel Cross undermining. of chance the reduce help will log of side the upstream on the sizes of different rock Packing plunging effect. the losing and log the undermining keep water from to taken be must 30-31).page Care Habitat (See Designs pools. plunge deep to create used be also can logs foraging. and burrowing, basking, multiple for benefits provide can areas water high These events. during silt and sand gather quickly will rock, with conjunction in or deflectors, rock behind immediately installed undermining is less likely to occur. to occur. likely less is undermining available and readily are they because place of in logs used often are 32-33). page Rocks Designs Habitat (See intoflow structure. a water to angle direct placed on an weir, avortex or like affect, scouring a create and stream the across directly go can weirs rock channel 10 Brush bundles bundles Brush A single log deflector deflector log Asingle Cross channel Cross Iowa Co. WI installed deflectors Log Mileon Six Branch, Cross channel weir rock water directs MN Pine into flow on Creek, Winona, skyhooks Cross channel placed log angle on to water direct into flow overheadstructure.

© Joe Schmelz © Jeff Hastings stream. The dimensions for the dimensions The stream. of the middle the towards in it tip have and structure the to undercut impossible almost it is means which structure, of the edge stream the from back 3feet is that a fulcrum by how supported it in is is structure Skyhook Minnesota a (Dornack) advantage of using The 44-45). page Habitat (See Designs areas. pool be to considered are that bends outside on weirs below rock just used to be designed originally was Skyhook LUNKERS: Minnesota Skyhook Minnesota can also be faced with a quarter logs. aquarter with faced be also can however they rock; with faced typically are LUNKERS cover forto trout. provide wateradequate alone the cover in depth is there feet, Beyond three feet. 2-3 between water and bottom depths ahard with streams in work best They underneath. clearance of inches 8-10 provide but also banks stream eroded badly not help only stabilize they installed When rod. reinforcing and spacers log boards, of two-inch consist They 35-37). page Designs overhead Habitat (See cover for trout. permanent provide to designed are wooden “cribs” “cribs” wooden are

© Gary Sabota shallow water and little or no flow. watershallow little and their by created higher temperatures of the because areas refuge avoid these usually will fish predatory Coldwater a meander whenlake water awide formed body U-shaped is a An oxbow lake fish. forage and turtles frogs, tadpoles, of invertebrates, avariety support will old stream oxbows to the enlarging Rock Deflectors: Placement: Boulder Random Oxbows: Dornack -Tom well. as used typically are structures hide of bank where othertypes stream of the area any in circumstance any under used be can structure The wide. overly are dimensions channel the narrowing degraded where streams for it perfect 8’ long by making wide 8’ is structure Skyhook Minnesota Habitat Designs page 40). These provide provide 40). These page Habitat Designs side. (See thedownstream on flats sediment shallow provide also will other, to the one in-time bank from water to kick flow installed typically microhabitats for over wintering turtles. turtles. wintering over for microhabitats provide also will center channel of the the in boulders large the behind Eddies bank. unprotected into and an around current deflecting from boulders the to taken prevent be must Care apart. far spaced boulders fivesingle rather of to four groupings tight placed in be should boulders 39). These page Designs Habitat (See of stream. stretches straight deep water flowing on in boulders large placing is trout for habitat additional to create used often practice Vernon Co. Crosse La WI Fisheries Foraging by used anumber are of rock Bad species, Axe, river is cut off, creating alake. creating off, cut is Connecting and even even and Connecting from the mainstem the from Rock deflectors deflectors Rock Another Another of of Cover placed habitat rocks for additional Oxbow along BigCreek, Springs Iowa Co. W. Waterthrush Waterthrush Louisiana the like sites for birds foraging insect as serve flowcan stream above normal sitthat just to riffles rocks Adding birds. wading habitats foraging and for small quieter water for frogs and tadpoles invertebrates, habitat for burrowing Parkesia motacilla. © WDNR Winona Co.Winona MN Side channels habitat critical provide Creek, of Pine species, for avariety habitat for streamside community community habitat for streamside foraging provide turn in which invertebrates, and fish forage for frogs, microhabitats additional provide also slightly warmer in temperature will but are stream to the connect that snakes, turtles and wading birds. wading and turtles snakes, Channels: Side

© Jeff Hastings 11 © Jeff Hastings © Tom Dornack overwintering structure has been developed to create a similar sediment trap. These structures are strategically placed under the bank immediately downstream of flow deflectors placed on the upper inside end of bends. They are specifically designed for snapping turtles but may occasionally be used by other turtles. The turtle hibernaculum, made of a hard wood, will be virtually rot resistant once it is placed fully submerged. The current design uses 2 inch thick rough oak, 8 feet long, which is what

we typically use for building other Jeff Hastings © Joe Schmelz © habitat structures. See Habitat Designs Vortex weir, West Fork, Vernon Co. WI Turtle Hibernaculum ready to be installed for specifications on pages 48-51. Turtle Hibernaculum: Natural Vortex Weirs: Vortex weirs are hibernacula in streams are often installed to create permanent pools created by tree falls along the in streams. A weir is constructed by streambank that leads to either deep placing large rocks in the shape of a bank undercutting or that creates slack “V”, with the point of the “V” facing water immediately downstream of the upstream. (See Habitat Designs tree up against the bank. These areas page 52-53). As water flows over the eventually fill in with fine sediments rock it is directed to the center of in which turtles will opportunistically the stream scouring out a deep pool bury in during winter. Unfortunately, Jeff Hastings

below. When possible, weirs should be © some of the worst streambank erosion constructed at the lower ends of riffles. Vortex Weir Bishops Branch, Vernon Co. WI occurs adjacent to these unstable This better utilizes increased riffle trees and roots. As discussed earlier, velocities and will reduce upstream an unanchored tree may be good pooling. Although weirs can be used The instream, riparian and for a year or more but eventually in all sized streams with a variety of upland nongame wildlife moves downstream during flood gradients, waters with a medium or habitat features in this guide events. A more permanent artificial higher flow (20-30 cubic feet/second were developed for the Driftless [cfs]) will generate larger pools. Area. However, many of these practices would be beneficial Vortex Weirs with Pool Boulders or outside of the Driftless Area. Woody Debris: Weirs can also be Cool and warm water streams used to direct flow into other habitat typically support a broader structures such as LUNKERS and diversity of instream species, so Skyhooks. Placing multiple boulders or the practices in this guide would root wads in the plunge pool below the likely be especially beneficial weir increases microhabitat and creates in and along those waters. current free zones. (See Habitat Designs page 43). These boulders should be placed in a tight group of four or five rather than widely spaced apart. Joe Schmelz © In order to maximize the likelihood of success of these additional habitat features, it will be important to eliminate or strictly restrict access to ponds and streams by livestock. Where approved, stabilize bottom substrates for cattle crossings to reduce erosion and turbidity. These areas can also serve as fish redds. Joe Schmelz © 12 Riparian and Upland Area Habitat Feature that Benefit Nongame Wildlife

� Scrapes and ponds should have varied but generally low gradient slopes (6-8 to 1). � Add brush and large woody debris to ponds for egg deposition, basking and cover. Basking logs should extend at least 5 feet out from shore to minimize ambush by terrestrial predators. Include trees with branches above the water for birds. Logs should be a minimum of 6 inches in diameter and should be anchored into the bank to help secure them during floods or high water levels. Where available, use logs that have been dead for at least one year as green logs are heavy and tend to sink. � If more than one pond is constructed, vary their distance to Joe Schmelz © the stream. Ephemeral scrapes are Recently constructed scrape Big Springs Branch project, Iowa Co. WI Nohr Chapter best placed where they will flood The following habitat features are � Ephemeral ponds and scrapes should only during high water events or designed to improve conditions hold water for at least 4-5 months from surface water runoff. for amphibians, reptiles, birds, (early spring through mid-summer) � Isolate ponds from unwanted sources invertebrates and mammals. and be less than 30 inches deep. of pollution such as runoff from Creating wetland scrapes and ponds: � Permanent ponds should have paved roads or sloped pastures. Create where soils have low permeability varying depths. Ponds should or where the water table is close to the be 6 feet in the deepest part surface. (See Habitat Designs page 54). to allow for overwintering by Note. Placement in an existing wetland amphibians, invertebrates and must be pre-approved by your state’s turtles. Note. These ponds could natural resources agency. These are support fish populations. typically only approved where the � Design scrapes and ponds with wetland is dominated by monotypic irregular shorelines to increase exotic vegetation or where other shoreline to area ratios (not bowl disturbances have grossly simplified shaped) (see Design Feature page 54) wetland functions. Jeff Hastings © Wetland scrape, Bad Axe, Vernon Co. WI 13 Maintaining/Restoring Connectivity: Connect riparian habitats and buffer strips to suitable upland habitats to improve/restore habitat connectivity. Bird perches: Because bird perches near the normal water level can serve as debris traps during flood stages, make a conscious decision to leave a few bank-grown native tree species that are near or that overhang the water but that will not impeded flows or result in debris entrapment during flood conditions. Jeff Hastings © Wetland adjacent to Pine Creek, Winona Co. MN Bob Hay © Pickerel Frog Terrestrial Cover Objects: Place large woody debris and large rocks (where permitted) adjacent to ponds and along travel corridors for cover and Gary Sobota as elevated basking sites. Over time, © large woody debris often supports West Indian Creek in Wabasha Co. MN abundant invertebrate life that is valuable to a wide variety of species. Plantings: Plant mixes of short grasses and low growing forbs around ponds and scrapes and in riparian habitats as buffer strips (minimum of 60 meters) to improve thermal conditions for herptiles while providing habitat for a variety of other nongame wildlife and their prey and to protect water quality. Craig Erickson Partially buried upland brush/log pile for wildlife. 14 known or is expected is or known to occur where banks eroding nesting bank is over place netting construction during the nesting season nesting the restore nesting and perching sites. sites. perching and nesting restore to bank the from back native trees replant stabilization, streambank to due removed to be threats must and shoreline at the occur only trees Where shoreline. immediate but not corridor, at the riparian the along use for bird some trees Leave Trees: NOTE. mound10-11 shouldof be the feet. height overall The soils. of heavier alayer with lighter the soils overlaying mound by the Finish chambers. nest to excavate for birds suitable soils provides lens lighter soil The thick. feet about 2-3 soils a lighter organic with clay. soils heavier the Overlay containing soils heavier compacted of moundconstructed should be the lower of the half bank vertical the below or above. To help stabilize from predation terrestrial prevent to enough face tall should be vertical The grasses. season warm and cool short-canopy mound with of the rest the side. Stabilize streamward the face on have that avertical mounds soil done creating by is to it. This proximity butclose in streambank the from away kingfishers and swallows for banks nesting vertical Construct Banks: Nesting Bird Vertical the restoration stream will occur. To avoid destroying nests inthe year that prior to to prior

Snake Hibernaculum: Several populations (Christoffel et al. 2002). species of snakes in the Driftless Area The hibernaculum design and overwinter communally. These include specifications below were developed by the bullsnake, common gartersnake, gaining experience with the design of common watersnake, Decay’s several old and abandoned dug wells brownsnake, eastern milksnake, gray that support several of the communal ratsnake, northern red-bellied snake, denning snakes. (See Hiberenaculum prairie ring-necked snake, timber specifications on page 46. rattlesnake and the western foxsnake. Jeff Hastings These species may overwinter © Excavate below water table one to two feet. together, in some combination, or separately as a species depending on the surrounding habitats and the availability of suitable hibernacula. Some species are known to migrate up to two miles from their summer range to their hibernation site, but migration distances are often shorter. Snakes also have different overwintering microhabitat preferences even within the same hibernaculum, so designing a one-size-fits-all hibernaculum is easier said than done. The use of varying sizes of rock (3-12 inch diameters) will help create different micro-sites within the hibernaculum that can provide for the needs of various species and snake sizes. Two key elements are critical for snakes to overwinter successfully; conditions that prevent snakes from freezing and sufficient moisture levels to prevent damaging water loss during the long period they remain underground. A number of studies have shown the lack of adequate hibernacula to be a limiting factor for some snake Paul Krahn © Add smaller mixed rock on top of the 8 to 10 inch bottom rock. 16 rocks for this. Add occasional shovels of damp soil as the rock is being placed in the pit. Add soil in moderation to avoid filling in all the voids between the rocks. The soils hold valuable moisture that is essential to hibernating snakes. � Wrap the rocks completely with the fabric, including over the entire chimney except for the vertical face of the hibernaculum entrance. � Place 10-12 inch rocks directly above the chimney entrance on top of the chimney fabric and rocks. These rocks are to serve as a retaining wall for the soils that will be added to cap the

Jeff Hastings hibernaculum. Place an additional © piece of the geotextile fabric over the back half and backside of the retaining wall rocks to help prevent soils from spilling over into the chimney entrance. � After ensuring that all the rock in the pit and chimney are enclosed in fabric, add soils on

Jeff Hastings top of the fabric to fill in the pit © Creating the hibernaculum opening. and cover the chimney. The soils should be a minimum of 5 feet � Pit placement – Must be placed 2 feet away from the southern pit deep over the pit proper and 1 to outside the 100-year floodplain in edge. This is required to prevent 2 feet deep over the chimney. uplands where the water table is surface water from flowing directly normally 5 to 7 feet below the existing into the pit. The chimney is where � Seed and mulch the entire cap ground surface during late summer or snakes enter the hibernaculum. with a perennial grass mix. fall (when water tables tend to be low). � Line the entire pit, including the Place on flat or south facing slopes. chimney and the 6 inch berm, � The excavated pit must be slightly with heavy Class 1 non-woven longer at the top than it is deep. geotextile fabric with enough extra This meets the Wisconsin definition fabric to allow all of the rock to be of a pond. It is therefore not a well – enclosed after all of the rock has Wisconsin DNR Regulations. been placed in the pit and chimney. � The pit should be excavated with the � Fill the bottom and chimney north end of the pit being vertical (entrance) of the pit with 8 to 10

inch rock that is two layers deep Bob Hay and the south end being sloped. © The excavation equipment should (16-20 inches deep). The Western Foxsnake operate from the south end of the pit larger rock allows for to facilitate a sloped southern end. entry by larger snakes. Excavate the pit to a depth of 1 to 2 The chimney rock should feet below the normal late summer extend about 3 feet or fall water table. The bottom of the horizontally past the top pit should be about 5 feet in length. edge of the pit on top This sloped southern end of the pit of the existing grade. is where the chimney (entrance) is � Add a mix of 4-10 inch to be constructed. (See schematic rock on top of the larger previous page). rock at the bottom of the � Pit width should not exceed 40 pit until the total rock inches, 30 to 36 inches is preferred. depth in the pit is about 4 to 5 feet in depth. It � Create a 6 inch high berm of is best to have an even

compacted soil across the width Jeff Hastings mix of smaller and larger © of the Chimney entrance, about Hibernaculum entrance after vegetation establishment. 17 Wetland Branch along East scrapes of the Pecatonica River upland their with connected and to close be must or wetlands ponds breeding their home ranges, small have salamanders and frogs most Because cycles. to complete life their habitats terrestrial aquaticand both require example,For amphibians most important. is nongame wildlife various site to support of aproject limitations the However, understanding species. to of benefitsome to known nongame are features of these All success. to produce not guaranteed are guide this in listed nongame habitat features one include that or of more the Projects Matrix Decision Features Habitat 18 Pond or Wetland Scrape not consider this feature feature not this consider value- do No Row cropped- project) easement post (minimum 66-foot Conditions Riparian Active pasture Active <50% row crop/active pasture crop/active row <50% riparian %undisturbed >50 riparian habitat riparian undisturbed and Revegetated context of your project area. context of yourproject landscape the and habitats, land uses surrounding to the linked closely is features of these success The species. nongame various for benefits provide to likely most are guide this in majorthe nongame habitat features conditions what under determine help to designed is matrix following The species. value to these limited of to be likely is wetland created the fields), crop or row (e.g. pasture active unsuitable primarily are uplands adjacent where the for amphibians wetland abreeding habitats. Creating stream on both sides- post project) post sides- both on stream past 300meters to (edge easement of Immediate Adjacent Landuse Row crop- little value little Row crop- > 60% Active pasture pasture Active > 60% < 60% Active pasture pasture Active < 60% Planted natural community Ag & >70 <30% % fallow old field Established (notpastured) be to

Bob Hansis Conditions and and Conditions pond in your project. The more more The yourproject. pond in placementconsider or of ascrape to Adjacent Landuse Immediate the to good scale of values is defined as: of defined values is scale following The landscape. surrounding the adjacent within and uplands immediately the area, riparian the outcome within of yourproject planned on the value based features the determine habitat features, To evaluatefollowing of the each You at least score must for success. for success. likelihood the have, better the you will .5 miles from stream on both sides) both on stream from miles .5 to habitat (outer 300meter of edge Context Landscape 100% Agricultural- little value little Agricultural- 100% >70% Ag & <30% fallow fallow >70% &<30% Ag ~50% Ag ~50% fallow ~50% Ag ~50% Mostly undisturbed habitat undisturbed Mostly Good to excellent value excellent to Good Moderate to good value value moderate Low to low value very or No under the Riparian Riparian the under low to moderate low to moderate moderate green in in

Riparian Conditions Immediate Adjacent Landuse Landscape Context (minimum 66-foot (edge of easement to 300 meters past (outer edge of 300 meter habitat easement post project) stream on both sides- post project) to .5 miles from stream on both sides) Row cropped- No value- do > 70% row crop or active pasture 100% row crop and active pasture not consider this feature Active pasture or forested habitat <70% row crop or active pasture >70% Ag & <30% fallow >30% undisturbed open canopy >70% of one side of stream is < 50% row crop or active pasture <50% Ag >50% fallow undisturbed open canopy >50% undisturbed open canopy Snake HibernaculumSnake Revegetated and undisturbed Established old field or planted <30% Ag open canopy habitat on both natural community >70 % fallow/planted natural sides of stream (not to be pastured) community You must score at least moderate to good under the Riparian Conditions and at least low to moderate in the Immediate Adjacent Landuse to potentially benefit streamside community snakes. Having green in all three habitat categories will improve your potential to benefit a broader snake community. Bob Hay ©

Riparian Conditions or Immediate Landscape Context Adjacent Landuse - post project (habitat out to .5 miles from stream on both sides) Row cropped to shoreline or forested- No value- Primarily closed canopy Active pasture or row crops adjacent to riparian area Primarily open canopy Southerly exposed slope in undisturbed open canopy habitat adjacent to stream with base

Swallow NestingSwallow Bank of slope above the 100 years flood level Only install where open canopy conditions prevail. Do not install in agricultural settings where livestock or farm equipment may compromise vertical bank stability. Jeff Hastings © Stream Type Riparian Habitat Small, stable rock/cobble, cold headwater stream Primarily closed canopy Medium sized cool to cold water stream* Primarily open canopy Medium sized cool to warm water stream/river Larger warm water rivers Turtle HibernaculumTurtle The turtle hibernaculum is designed primarily for overwintering snapping turtles. Other instream features such as lunker structures and boulders in deep pools may provide overwintering structures for other turtle species. *Turtle hibernacula on cold water streams should be located within .3 miles of a confluence with a cool or warm water Bob Hay © river/stream. 19 *Short-tailed weasel fox Red *Raccoon vole Prairie *Otter *Muskrat *Mink shrew Masked mouse jumping Meadow fox Gray Eastern chipmunk mouse Deer Coyote *Beaver Riparian/Wetland Mammals Western foxsnake snake red-bellied *Northern snake hog-nosed Eastern brownsnake *Decay’s watersnake *Common gartersnake *Common Snakes Riparian/Wetland Reptiles salamander *Four-toed *Eastern tiger salamander mudpuppy Common *Central newt Blue-spotted salamander Salamanders Peeper Spring Amphibians Habitats and Riparian Vertebrate Species Area of Streams Driftless 20

© Bob Hay *Wood frog *Spring peeper frog *Pickerel *Northern leopard frog frog green *Northern frog cricket *Northern *Gray treefrog *Eastern America toad *Cope’s gray treefrog frog chorus *Boreal bullfrog *American Frogs Wood turtle turtle softshell Spiny turtle *Painted snapping *Eastern turtle Blanding’s Turtles Woodchuck Thirteen-lined ground squirrel skunk Striped turtle Blanding’s Turtle

Donated © Bob Hay streams intheArea. streams Driftless wetland habitats along cool/cold water dependentriparian/ on * Species often Common WatersnakeCommon *Common kingfisher Belted * *Bank swallow American redstart Riparian/Wetland Birds Wood duck Tree swallow sandpiper *Spotted Sandhill crane Sanderling blackbird *Red-winged swallow rough-winged Northern duck *Mallard Killdeer merganser Hooded heron *Green-backed blue heron Great Eastern phoebe *Eastern kingbird yellowthroat Belted Kingfisher

The Wild & Rare Committee has compiled a suite of monitoring Recommended Approaches protocols to assess nongame wildlife Pre-monitoring Monitoring Methods on larger projects that incorporate Conduct pre-restoration inventories several to many of the habitat features and Protocols to acquire a reasonable baseline for Clearly identify the monitoring listed in this guide. The purpose of nongame species using the protocols area (length and width of riparian monitoring is to determine if the added listed below. Wherever possible, corridor). GPS and flag the upstream nongame habitat features accomplish pre-monitoring is recommended for and downstream project limits and their intended purpose of improving two seasons prior to construction to lateral perimeters. Pre-existing nongame diversity and relative obtain a more robust pre-construction habitat types and projected post- abundances. In order for monitoring inventory. For restoration projects project habitat types should be to have value, pre and post monitoring where construction will be initiated used to determine where to conduct is necessary. Pre-monitoring provides after mid August, pre-monitoring can the various monitoring efforts. a baseline of species and relative occur within the same season. For Monitoring activities, pre and post, abundances that can be compared to projects where construction must begin should be conducted where the post-project results. Monitoring for pre prior to mid August, pre-restoration highest capture/detection rates are and post construction must be done by monitoring should be conducted likely, based on habitat conditions. following the same methods and levels prior to the year that construction Some locations, such as bird point of effort. While this will not provide is initiated (e.g. If restoration is to counts, will be the same for both definitive results for all species, it will begin in June 2015, pre-monitoring pre- and post-monitoring. The help managers and funding agencies should to occur in 2013 and/or 2014, placement of traps, cover boards, make decisions about what habitat depending on whether one or two drift fences, bird point counts and features are most beneficial. Over years of monitoring is planned.) frog survey locations should be time, monitoring results should help GPS’d for both monitoring efforts to identify which practices to continue Conduct a thorough habitat provide consistency within each of the promoting and which to exclude. We assessment prior to or during pre- pre- and post-monitoring periods. strongly encourage you to monitor monitoring activities to identify your projects to determine if adding all habitat types, land use within Pre- and post-monitoring efforts these nongame habitat features is the restoration area and land should also utilize the identical producing the desired results. use immediately adjacent to the arrays of monitoring types (e.g. restoration area, and the percent no. of traps, number of transects, of each habitat type within the number of bird count points, etc.) restoration area. Hand map the in order to have comparable levels habitat types on aerial photos. This of effort for each sampling type. will be used along with the project plan map to help determine where to set up monitoring activities.

Post-monitoring Post-monitoring should begin no sooner than two years after project completion. This will allow time for

Bob Hay vegetation to become established © and for the species to find and begin Pickerel Frog Eggs using the restored habitats. Long- term monitoring (year 5 and 7 post construction) is suggested for large Measurable Objectives projects sites (>.5 mi.) where two years of 1. Species presence pre-construction monitoring occurred. 2. Age class structure 3. Evidence of onsite reproduction 4. Successful recruitment 5. Habitat comparisons (pre and post) © J. Kapfer© J. Drift Fence Array for sampling amphibians,

Bob Hay terrestrial invertebrates, mammals and © Calling frog American Toad small reptiles. 21 Amphibians Reptiles Birds � Calling Surveys: 2 surveys during � Hoop Net Trapping- in riparian � Point counts: Conduct point counts each of the three calling periods wetlands and stream- trap for along the length of the project area (April 8-30; May 20-June 6; July eight nights between May 15- at GPS’d locations that are spaced 1-15) for a total of 6 surveys* (See June 30- 1 to 2 traps per wetland at 200 meter intervals along the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Surveys depending on size plus instream/ stream. Conduct additional point Methods at: http://wiatri.net/ backwaters (minimum of 6 counts at 200 meter intervals in inventory/frogtoadsurvey/ traps and 48 trap nights). habitats that will or have been Volunteer/manual.cfm � Cover Board Sampling (32” x 48” restored beyond 250 meters from � In-pond larval salamander funnel ¾ inch plywood- do not use OSB the stream. Point counts should be trapping: Place 5 screen or wire or other particle board types)- done once in mid-late April to detect funnel traps in each wetland/pond Boards are to be placed every 33 early breeding birds, again between for 5 consecutive days between July 5 M along the length of the riparian Memorial Day and July 4 for and July 20). Check traps daily and corridor on both sides of the stream. summer breeders and in late July to remove all of the entrapped contents Boards are to be laid where soils early August to detect late breeders once every 24 hours. Keep all larvae are normally dry. Boards should be (e.g American goldfinch) and second and invertebrates alive in pond water checked on ten (10) non-consecutive nesters. Point counts are done for and get to a herps and invertebrate days when air temperatures exceed 5 minutes at each GPS’d location. specialist for identification. 65 degrees and sunny conditions Use the identical GPS points for have occurred for at least 4 hours pre and post restoration. Record � Time/Area-constrained searches: the day the boards are checked. all birds seen or heard. Also record Search along pond edges and Boards are to be checked no any evidence of breeding or nesting streams using visual encounter, dip sooner than 3 hours prior to while on site of all surveys. Point net, and hand collection. sunset between May 15-July 15. counts are conducted from sunrise � Drift Fencing: Place two Y-shaped to 9:30 am, during suitable weather � Time-constrained searches- arrays (3- 15M legs) per site using conditions (good visibility, little during suitable conditions funnel and pitfall traps. Arrays or no precipitation, light winds). (10- 1.5 hrs periods- conduct should be run three times per year, on days of other surveys when � Record miscellaneous observations. mid-April to early May, mid May suitable conditions permit). (R. Hoffman, WDNR, pers. comm.) through June and late July through August. Fences should be checked � Drift Fencing- (See amphibian Mammals for 3-5 days during each fence section for details) � Live trapping: Use Sherman and trapping period. rain-protected pitfall traps in a * Restoration sites longer than .5 miles will transect. Place Sherman traps and need more than one listening point. Listening pitfall traps alternately at 10 meter points must be a minimum of .5 miles apart. intervals along a 190 meter transect. Place one transect along each side of the stream for every 500 meters of stream and include as many habitat types as possible in each transect. GPS trap locations for both the pre- and post-monitoring efforts as the locations are likely to be different. Conduct trapping for four (4) full trap nights during July and August when rodent populations are at their highest. Check traps Neal Mundahl © Cover board 22 shortly after sunrise and again just before sunset each day. Remove and record all vertebrates captured and remove all other entrapped contents each time the traps are checked. � Cover board surveys (combine with reptile surveys) � Auditory and visual observations are to be made during other surveys � Track surveys: Use North American mammal track guide to verify all tracks observed � Drift fencing: (see Amphibian section for details) � Bat Surveys: Conduct 2 night surveys during non-rainy and mild weather during the summer using electronic J. Kapfer bat detectors and a laptop computer © Mouse in drift fence funnel trap (Optional- dependent on having proper bat detection equipment). 4. Sites should start and stop at least 6. During shocking every effort should 10 stream widths from a bridge, be made to pick up all individuals Nongame Fish dam, tributary, or other feature or all species (i.e., don’t focus on that changes the hydrological just larger fish or on gamefish), Electro-shocking surveys: The following character of the stream, and where and all captured fish should be protocol are to be followed for possible the site should stop and identified to species. evaluating the entire fish community. start at a riffle; sometimes the 1. Electrofish in an upstream direction station will have to be lengthened during daylight hours when water or shortened a few m to meet these levels are not substantially above criteria. The exact length sampled baseline flows. (and the average width) should 2. Conduct electrofishing sometime be noted but isn’t critical as long between May 20 and 10 September. as it’s never less than 100 m. 3. Each station should be 35 times the 5. Equipment type- In streams average width of the stream (i.e., if less than ~2 m wide, a pulsed- the stream site averages 7 m wide, DC backpack shocker should be the site should be 245 m long), with used, but in larger streams a DC a minimum length of 100 m for stream shocker with two or three

anodes (3 whenever possible, but Neal Mundahl streams less than ~3 m wide and a © maximum of 400 m in length for 2 OK in streams ~2-5 m wide). streams greater than ~11.5 m wide. Neal Mundahl Neal Mundahl © © 23 Habitat Designs Index Backwater Hook ...... 25 Backwater Refuge ...... 26-27 Barnie Rubble trout habitat structure ...... 28 Basking log/Escape Log ...... 29 Wood turtle hatchling Cross Channel Log ...... 30-31 Cross Channel Rock Weir ...... 32-33 Log Deflector ...... 34 LUNKER trout habitat structure ...... 35-37 LUNKER Structure ¼ log ...... 38 Random Boulder Placement ...... 39 Rock Deflector ...... 40 Rock Crossing ...... 41-42 Root Wad ...... 43 Skyhook trout habitat structure ...... 44-45 Snake Hibernaculum ...... 46 Streambank Protection ...... 47 Turtle Hibernaculum ...... 48-51 Vortex Weir ...... 52-53 Wetland Scrape ...... 54 Illustration of Skyhook installation ...... 55

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