Artificial Brush Cover Piles and Nesting Areas

Definition

The placement of natural materials from previous harvests or such other materials as may be appropriate (see PEI Forest Wildlife Manual) for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat.

Adequate resting and escape cover is critical to proper management of ground-nesting birds, snowshoe hare, and other small game. When natural cover is limited, artificial brush piles can be used to conceal and protect wildlife from predators and the weather, as well as provide a medium for seed germination and plant growth.

Eligibility Criteria

Site or stand is lacking in natural ground cover and the property owner wishes to enhance wildlife habitat.

Guidelines and Assessment Procedures

Location Selection

Suitable locations for brush piles include:

• Woodland borders - Transition zones between forest and field
• Clearings - Open areas within forest
• Sites adjoining feeding and nesting cover
• Along the head of a gully - Helps prevent erosion and provides wildlife cover (but never place in middle of eroding wash)
• Near impoundments and other wetland places in open terrain
• Where surrounding area lacks natural cover

The optimum distance between brush piles will vary according to site characteristics and target species. When properly constructed and located, brush piles can serve as a versatile management technique for wildlife in a variety of forest settings.

Construction Materials

The artificial cover piles and artificial nesting areas are to be constructed using harvested materials from a previous treatment in the stand or materials from another area (See PEI Forest Wildlife Manual).

Important: When using materials from another stand, avoid materials that appear to carry materials that are diseased.

Construction Specifications

Artificial nesting areas are to be constructed to the specifications in the PEI Fish and Wildlife Manual.

Minimum Standards:

• Minimum surface area: 1.2 m²
• Minimum height: 1 m

Maintenance

As the cover pile decomposes, additional new branches should be added to retain the integrity of the treatment.

Benefits of Brush Piles

• Provide escape and thermal cover for small mammals
• Offer nesting sites for ground-nesting birds
• Create microhabitats for insects and invertebrates (food source for wildlife)
• Protect soil from erosion
• Provide substrate for seed germination and plant growth
• Create structural diversity in the landscape

Assistance:

A maximum of 10 per forest management plan.