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United States Department of Agriculture |
Natural Resources Conservation Service |
1351A Highway 146 Bypass Liberty, Texas 77575 PH.
(409) 336-9145 Ext.3 FAX (409) 336-7224 |
Information Sheet for Wildlife Wetland
Habitat Management
June 2000
Wetlands
are some of the most productive wildlife lands in the country. Wetlands provide breeding grounds and
habitat for thousands of ducks, geese, along with other water loving birds and
wildlife.
There
are many kinds of wetland, and many ways to improve waterfowl habitat. There are several practices that can be
useful in managing any wetland.
Shallow
water depths from 2 inches up to 18 inches are most desirable for dabbling
ducks such as mallards, teal, pintail, gadwall, widgeon, shovelers, mottled
ducks, and wood ducks. These ducks so
not usually dive, but merely tip over and feed on seeds, acorns, and roots on
the ground under the water. Diving
ducks, such as canvasbacks, redheads, scaup, ringneck ducks, and mergansers,
prefer deeper water.
Maintain
shallow floods during the fall, winter, and into early spring. Slowly drain (or allow the water to dry up)
during late spring or early summer to allow emergent vegetation to grow. Seeds produced by smartweed, barnyard grass,
and many other “weeds” are relished by waterfowl. If the area is being utilized by nesting wood ducks, allow some
water to remain through August.
If
good waterfowl food plants are not present, crops may be planted, such as
domestic rice, red rice, Japanese millet or browntop millet. Plant between June 15 and August 15 for best
results. When areas are to be used for
waterfowl hunting check State and Federal laws pertaining to “baiting” before
planting seeds.
Sometimes
it is desirable to fence wetland areas to protect them from grazing. This will allow for the growth of herbaceous
cover, which will provide areas for nesting, resting, and concealed cover.
Managing River Bottom Hardwoods for Waterfowl
The
keys to providing quality river bottom habitat for waterfowl include:
§
Properly
manage desirable hardwood species that produce mast. Harvest trees with waterfowl needs in mind. Mark the trees to be cut according to a
recommended method depending on the kinds and age of trees present. Seek the advice of a qualified wildlife
biologist and forester.
§
Control
undesirable species.
§
Mange
livestock grazing so as to allow for regeneration and production of desirable
timber and herbaceous species. Consider
removing livestock one to two years before and after harvesting trees so as to
allow for adequate regeneration of desirable species.
§
Manipulation
of water during the fall, winter, and spring is sometimes an option. If the area does not naturally flood at a
frequency and duration that has been satisfactory for providing quality
waterfowl habitat, then a “greentree” reservoir may be an alternative if proper
age and species of hardwoods are present.
§
For
“greentree” reservoirs, construct an earthen embankment with a water control
structure to allow for seasonally flooding of hardwood bottoms.
§
Flood
the reservoir with 6 to 18 inches over 80 percent of the area from October 15
to March 15. Drain the reservoir from
March 15 to October 15 to prevent damage to the trees, and allow regeneration
of vegetation. It is desirable to leave
some water through August 1st for wood duck brood rearing areas.
§
Manage
desirable trees such as willow oak, water oak, cherrybark oak, nuttall oak,
bald cypress and tupelo gum. If
desirable trees are not present, plant the area to adapted desirable species.
§
If
the entire flooded area has a dense tree canopy, small openings (from ½ acre up
to several acres) should be made to improve accessibility for ducks. These areas will also help to provide a
variety of vegetation. Mow, disk, or
graze these areas during the summer as needed to improve plant species
composition.
§
Consider
fencing the reservoir to prevent over grazing or continuous use by livestock.
§
Install
wood duck boxes with predator guards.
Many
of the above practices may be applied in most riverbottom hardwood situations,
even if a greentree reservoir is not constructed. Consult with your Natural Resource Conservation Service
representative prior to beginning these projects. Several State and Federal laws govern activities in river
bottoms.
Managing Upland Depressions for Waterfowl
These
are areas that occur in “flatwoods” or native/improved pastures.
§
Construct
embankments and/or water control structures to enhance or create a wetland and
to allow for water level manipulation.
Hold a shallow flood during the fall, winter and spring. Drain and allow natural vegetation to
recover during the summer months.
§
Plant
to duck food crops. “See item below on baiting”
§
To
improve nesting habitat, plant the perimeter to water tolerant trees, shrubs,
or tall grasses, such as switchgrass and buttonwillow.
§
Fence
out livestock to prevent overgrazing.
§
Install
wood duck boxes with predator guards.
§
Encourage
establishment and production of tall vegetative species along the perimeter for
cover.
Managing Cropland for Waterfowl
§
Install
water control structures in the field to allow for water manipulation and/or
erosion control.
§
In
late August or September, close levees and catch rainwater and/or pump on water
to a shallow depth of 12 inches or less.
§
If
possible, progressively flood a portion of the field at 2-4 week intervals.
§
Leave
flooded until the end of March, or as long as possible, until spring land
preparation is necessary.
§
Some
areas on the farm that will not be flooded could be planted to ryegrass r
winter wheat in the fall for geese. “See item below on baiting”
§
In
years when the field is idle, if some areas within the field tend to hold
water, delay disking these areas and leave a 100 foot perimeter not disked or
disturbed until July 1 to allow for mottled duck nesting and brood
rearing. In addition to eating weed and
grass seed, ducks and geese will eat red rice and can significantly reduce red
rice infestations in ricefields.
Managing Coastal Marshlands for Waterfowl
§
If
needed, and if feasible, install water control structures to manipulate water
or to control salt water intrusion; and where necessary, construct small
embankments to hold shallow water on natural marshes. Consult your NRCS representative prior to beginning construction
as several State and Federal laws may apply.
§
Plant
some areas to winter wheat or ryegrass in the fall for geese, when summers are
sufficiently dry to allow seedbed preparation. “See item below on baiting”
§
Poor
waterfowl food plants such as giant cut grass, maidencane, or cattails can be
plowed or disked out if the marsh dries up enough to hold equipment. Many times they will return naturally on
their own.
§
Cattle
grazing can also be used to control unwanted plants such as cutgrass and
maidencane. Carefully monitor grazing
to encourage the growth of quality waterfowl food plants.
§
Burning
or mowing dense native vegetation in the fall can increase open water areas in
those years when conditions permit. Be
sure to follow the Texas Air Control Board rules regarding burning.
Managing Farm Ponds for Waterfowl
§
Select
areas with existing shallow flats or construct shallow areas around existing
ponds.
§
Install
a water control structure to allow for water manipulation. Trap rainwater in the fall, winter, and
early spring. Allow water to evaporate or
drain the shallow water during early spring.
The deeper water (more than 6’) can be left for recreation, fish
production, or livestock water.
§
When
it dries, the shallow area may need disking to encourage the growth of quality
waterfowl plants.
§
Leave
a minimum 50 foot wide strip of natural or planted tall grasses around the
perimeter to provide nesting habitat for mottled ducks and brood rearing
habitat for wood ducks.
§
Baiting: If duck or goose hunting is planned on any
area to be planted to a crop for wildlife, consult with State or Federal
Wildlife Enforcement officials before planting.
§
Trees
such as nuttall oak, willow oak, water oak, green ash, and bald cypress may be
planted in some cases to improve wetland habitat. Plant at a spacing to result in a stand of 200-500 trees per
acre.
These
recommendations are made to cover a variety of situations found in Texas. Consult your local NRCS representative to
get specific advice on your individual situation.