Wild Habitat

Depollution of a site

La graine — 2023-07-11T11:57:47Z

Exhibition

Exhibition on the basic principles of depollution.

Editable file	Printable file

Language file

Video format

Video format of the exhibition on the basic principles of depollution.

Principles

Voiceless

Source files : www.seedtohumus.org

Ecological house

La graine — 2023-07-11T11:38:15Z

Exhibition

Exhibition on the basic principles of ecological housing.

Editable file	Printable file

Language file

Slideshow

File readable with Libre office.

Video format

Video format of the exhibition on the basic principles of ecological housing.

Principles

Voiceless

Source files : www.seedtohumus.org

Workshops

Workshops carried out as part of training.

Implementation of a building

After having determined on paper the location of a construction, we transfer this to the field.

Location is a mix of settings, seen in the presentation:

passive energy,
wind protection,
location of the sun,
practicality in the field,
taking into account the slope for phytopurification,
compactness…,
and legislation

We then use the 13 knot rope (Explained here to report the locations of the corners on the ground. There are several variations of the 13 knot rope, including that of four knots (with a distance of 60, 80 and 100 cm) , practical for more restricted measurements.

The corners are marked by a stake placed straight with a plumb line (Use a plumb line). You can place a stake at the eye for alignment with two other stakes already placed (I cannot find a link for placement at the eye).

We define the height with a water level (Exemple).

A mason's cord connects the stakes by placing itself relatively to the level of the ground to be leveled subsequently. We place the line, for example, 50 cm exactly above the expected level. The line is horizontal because we take the first stake as a reference, then place the others with the water level.

We level the ground, loosening it first (with a shovel for big differences in level, a rake otherwise). If the site is large, construction equipment (mini excavator for example) can be useful. We add a slight overhang around the area to be flattened (so that no material adjacent to the area falls on what we will level later).

We level the ground using a 2 meter leveling ruler, it is the simplest, but we can also do it with a water level and a long straight board (I cannot find a link for checking by eye if a board is straight). Material is added or removed as needed. We remove what is bothersome (stones, roots, etc.)

We hang out with a hand ground tamper. It can also be made in several ways. (here or there)

Feedbacks, but not done during the workshop.

The ground can be watered after tamping to help settle it more. We wait for it to dry (quickly or 24 hours depending on the season, the terrain, etc.) and we tamp the ground again, ensuring the level.

Certain soils (and depending on what is being built) can be stabilized by placing stones, then pebbles, then gravel in the basement, reducing the particle size as you go. This is done, among other things, in the case of modern buildings where a drain is often placed at the very bottom.

Hedgehog shelter

La graine — 2022-07-18T14:18:32Z

Natural habitat

A hedgehog lives in the woods of deciduous trees, hedges or the edges of forest.

To reproduce a natural shelter for the hedgehog, hedges, bushes or a pile of wood are ideal. Hedgehogs can also stay in a compost heap that will also provide them with food.

It is eventually possible to arrange a pile of wood as shown below (with an entrance of approximately 15 cm to 20 cm in height and a space of 60 by 40 cm inside) or with an upturned crate of wine , as shown below.

Preparation of a space under wood storage

Preparing a space in a crate

Here, we use a crate for 12 bottles of wine which is about 35 cm wide, 50 long and 17 cm high, ideal dimensions.
In step 3, the crate is ballasted (which avoids being turned over and thus expose the hedgehogs to predators, especially during hibernation) and a small hole is dug at the entrance to accommodate the hedgehog. The entrance hole in the crate is 12 cm wide and 12 cm high.

In the two artificial cases above and in the event of the adjustment of a natural space (bush or hedge):

Provide a pile of leaves and/or straw in the shelter. Thus, the hedgehog will be protected from the cold during hibernation.
Provide a habitat sheltered from humidity. Seal the roof if necessary. Avoid placing the shelter in a place subject to flooding (especially during hibernation) or where water accumulates.

Protected species

The hedgehog is a protected species in several countries, you do not have the right to keep one.
However, you can prepare a habitat for it, something to drink or eat depending on the time of year and perhaps it will by itself, settle on your plot.

Remarks

Don't force it, if you move a hedgehog you potentially separate it from its family!

If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, you can create “ecological corridors” by leaving gaps for species, such as hedgehogs, to travel from one garden to another.

If you have a water point (pond or other), put a board (or similar) that makes the connection between the pond and the ground, will avoid unpleasant surprises of small animals drowning.

Sources

Here are the editable sources.

For people who master vector (svg made on Inkscape with a layer system).

Pictures

Some pictures to get in the mood ;)

From left to right :
Photo by Alexas_Fotos
Photo by I.V. Korneev, Leningrad Zoo
Photo by Gibe

Insect shelters

La graine — 2022-07-15T15:39:35Z

First of all, no, we won't talk about bug hotels for those who know it.

If this one can have an educational interest, it is little used by the insects. This is due to several reasons, locations not always suitable, competing species...

We will focus here on what works, which is natural and multi-use (such as the advice discussed here).

Ladybugs

Ladybug shelters have quite negative reviews (correct me in the comments if this is not your case).
However, if you have read the advice here, piles of wood, a dry stone wall, cracks in a wall or under a pile of dead leaves will do fine for them. They can also be found in mosses or under bark.

Lacewings

There are shelters on which I have no return. In winter, winged adults find refuge in piles of wood, dead leaves and in uninhabited premises. [1]

Wild Bees

Some bees make their habitat in the ground. We will leave them some space and a bit of peace if we see them settling somewhere.
Some bees will also be able to lodge in drill woods. Thus, you can drill a log with holes of different sizes from 4 to 10 millimeters (5 to 10 cm deep) which you will place in the garden.
You can hang the log to a tree branch, or put it at the end of a stake.
Osmias, andrenes or anthidia (name for wild bees) will thank you!

You can also use hollow plants (bamboo, Japanese knotweed, etc.) to make hanging bundles.
This will attract “caulicolous” bees, from the Latin caulis (stem) and coler (to live) [2], which establish their nest inside the hollow stems of plants.

The “rubicolous” bees will prefer bundles with stems containing pith (or medulla) such as elderberry, bramble, rosebush...

Bundles can also attract other insect species.

[1] Source : https://www.rustica.fr/auxiliaires-jardin/comment-creer-abris-pour-insectes-utiles-jardin,13335.html

[2] Source : https://lesjardinsdemalorie.be/fabriquer-des-abris-pour-les-abeilles-solitaires/

Land development

La graine — 2022-07-15T13:59:40Z

The ecosystems and species are very varied.

Here are some general principles to help in the development of biodiversity. [1]

Learn about the species to plant according to your ground : identify your type of ground to put what suits it best

Avoid phytosanitary products.
Have a diversity in plant species (you can trade with neighbors or during the seed exchange). Save your seeds to give away.
Do not turn the soil, but aerate it (with a broadfork for example).
Compost (It will bring life during the process, then afterwards by amending the soil).
Leave dead leaves on the ground rather than picking everything up. Leave plant debris on the ground in general.
Use ground cover plants.
Leave native plants. Plant local species.
Hedges are preferable to fences in terms of biodiversity.
Mulch will prevent the soil from drying out.
Water only if necessary, at the base of the plant and in the evening if it is hot. Choose plants that are not dependent on water. You can also use rainwater or reuse cooking or washing vegetable water ...
Provide ditches or canals to allow the flow of excess water. Put the canals in the natural direction of the ground flow if there is a slope, even a slight one. A pond can collect water at the end of the canals.
The use of nectar or berry plants will please the local fauna.
If you have too many “harmful” insects, promote habitats of insectivorous species (bats, birds, frogs, hedgehogs, ladybirds, hoverflies, earwigs, lacewings if your land allows it and depending on the type of “harmful” insect...), the presence of plants that “scare” them away or even homemade preparations to get rid of them.
Feed the birds in cold weather.
For flower meadows, choose spontaneous and perennial floral species (will be used to feed pollinating and phytophagous insects, as well as a breeding medium for many insects).
Make sure you have dead wood (in a corner of the garden, in a sunny place or in partial shade) to encourage insects to feed and reproduce there. If you have a wooded area, you can provide 30m³ of dead wood per hectare. A dead trunk standing or lying on the ground are 2 different environments attracting different species.
Make sure you have a pile of stones for some insects, but also for other small animals.
Do not mow all surfaces and keep areas of flowering meadows (recommendation of a 1/3 of spaces open to the flowering meadow, more on sites that are not frequented by the occupants of a building).
We can practice late mowing (end of summer), mowing maximum once a year or in rotation every other year.
We can have “transition” zones between grassy areas and wooded ones. This is done by providing a layering to create edges (with bushes and shrubs in between). The transition zones are rich in diversity.
Have monofloral beds well chosen for certain species of wild bees (the smallest wild bees forage in a perimeter sometimes not exceeding 200m)
If you have a good relationship with your neighbors, you can create “ecological corridors” by leaving holes to allow species, such as hedgehogs, to travel from one garden to another.
If you have a pond, put a plank (or similar) which makes the junction between the pond and the ground, will allow to avoid unpleasant surprises of small animals drowning.

We can remember that each habitat attracts certain species. The diversity of the implementation will ensure the diversity of the species present.

Here we put general advice. Special habitats are discussed in other resources.

[1] Sources : Bruxelles environnement. https://document.environnement.brussels/opac_css/elecfile/IF_Biodiversite_Habitats_pour_insectes_FR.pdf, https://document.environnement.brussels/opac_css/elecfile/100_conseils_jardin_FR

Birdhouse (Semi-open)

La graine — 2022-07-15T12:55:56Z

Blueprints

Attached are blueprints for a semi-open birdhouse.

Contains 2 different models.
Type 1: For black redstart, european robin, white wagtail or spotted flycatcher
Type 2: For common kestrel

Blueprints file

Sources

Here are the editable sources.

For people who master vector (svg made on Inkscape with a layer system).

The word processing version (made on Libre Office).

Note for a version 2 (proofreading by citoyen-candide) :

The iron wire can be replaced by a sheathed electrical wire.
On Type 1 there is a mistake, the back, front and bottom are 18 + 2 e wide

Mention the bevel on the top

Pictures

Some pictures to get in the mood ;)

From left to right :
European robin by PierreSelim
Black redstart by Pierre-Marie Epiney
White wagtail by Pierre-Marie Epiney
Common kestrel by Andreas Trepte

Bat nesting box

La graine — 2022-07-13T15:30:52Z

Blueprints

Attached are the blueprints for a bat nesting box.

Blueprints file

Sources

Here are the editable sources.

For people who master vector (svg made on Inkscape with a layer system).

The word processing version (made on Libre Office).

Pictures

Some pictures to get in the mood ;)

From left to right :
Photo by Cindy Parks
Photo by Petr Kratochvil
Photo by JerOme82
Photo by Andy Morffew

Birdhouse (closed)

La graine — 2022-07-13T15:26:55Z

Blueprints

Attached are blueprints for a birdhouse.

Contains 7 different models.
Type 1: For eurasian blue tit, marsh tit, european crested tit or coal tit
Type 2: For great tit, tree sparrow, pied flycatcher
Type 3: For Eurasian nuthatch, common redstart
Type 4: For common starling
Type 5: For Eurasian hoopoe
Type 6: For Eurasian hoopoe, Eurasian scops owl, Stock Dove, common starling
Type 7: For tawny Owl

Blueprints file

Sources

Here are the editable sources.

For people who master vector (svg made on Inkscape with a layer system).

The word processing version (made on Libre Office).

Note for a version 2 (proofreading by citoyen-candide) :

The iron wire can be replaced by a sheathed electrical wire.
On Type 4 there is a mistake, the back is 16 + 2 e wide

Mention the bevel on the top

Pictures

Some pictures to get in the mood ;)

From left to right :
Blue tit by PeterRohrbeck
Eurasian Hoopoe by Luc Viatour
Common Redstart by Thomas Kraft
Pied Flycatcher by Charles James Sharp
Juvenile Tawny Owls by Artur Mikołajewski

Installation tips

La graine — 2022-07-13T15:15:37Z

Bats

Nesting box locations

Nesting box to be fixed on buildings, trees at the edge of the forest, near a pond, in a clearing or in the garden. [1]

Be well exposed to light (Exposure between west, south and south-east)

Install the nesting box at the end of winter. Bats can be accommodated in this transitional place when they come out of hibernation.

Nesting box height

Place the nesting box at least 3 m high, protected from predators.

Tree Protection

If attached to a tree...
When the iron wire (or a sheathed electric wire) is placed around the tree to fix the nest box, a foam (or a “sausage” of old textile) is placed between the tree and the iron wire, at the opposite of the nesting box so as not to damage the tree.

Birds

Birdhouse locations

The birdhouse is neither in the shade nor in full sun. An East / South-East orientation is generally recommended.
We will also avoid prevailing winds.

Nest box height

In alphabetical order of species.

Recommended height
Species	Height	Source
White wagtail	1,5 to 2 m	Ornithomedia
Tawny owl	1,5 to 2 m	LPO Drôme Ardèche
Common kestrel	8 to 12 m	Ornithomedia
Short-toed treecreeper	1,5 to 5 m	Ornithomedia
Song thrush	at 6 m, if possible on a tree with ivy	LPO Drôme Ardèche
Eurasian hoopoe	1 m to 1,20 m	LPO Drôme Ardèche
Common blackbird	1,5 to 6 m	Ornithomedia
Coal tit	2 to 4 m	LPO
Eurasian blue tit	2 to 5 m	LPO
Great tit, Eurasian tree sparrow	2 to 6 m	LPO
House sparrow	3 to 8 m	LPO
European green woodpecker	2 to 6 m	Ornithomedia
Great spotted woodpecker	3 to 5 m	Ornithomedia
Common redstart	1,5 to 4 m	LPO
Black redstart	2 to 6 m	Ornithomedia
European robin	1,5 to 5 m	Ornithomedia
Eurasian nuthatch, Common starling	minimum 4 m, optimum 8 to 12 m	LPO

Tree Protection

When the iron wire (or a sheathed electric wire) is placed around the tree to fix the nest box, a foam (or a “sausage” of old textile) is placed between the tree and the iron wire, at the opposite of the nesting box so as not to damage the tree.

Leaning birdhouse

A piece of cleat or wood is attached to the top of the back of the nest box, so that it is slightly tilted.

[1] Inspired by the 10 rules of the nest box installer: https://web.archive.org/web/20210127102956/https://www.dsne.org/2006/04/12/les-10-regles-du-poseur-de-nichoir/

Feeding tips

La graine — 2022-07-13T14:39:33Z

Summary

Should wildlife be fed?
Hedgehogs
Birds
The presence of an animal

Should wildlife be fed?

Feeding wildlife can be done with the noblest intentions. However, this is done sparingly.

If we generate a dependency with the human being, several scenarios are possible:

the animal will no longer be able to feed itself in the wild and will be in great danger;
the animal reproduces in higher numbers than it should and creates an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Hedgehogs

Avoid feeding the hedgehogs, but position a “natural” food source close to them, such as a compost heap, which is full of insects.

Hedgehogs, however, need a lot of energy to hibernate. Thus, in autumn, we can put on their way mealworms, earthworms or dried insects. They appreciate what is rich in protein and fat.

At the end of hibernation, for 1 or 2 months, hungry and weakened hedgehogs also need to recover their strength. [1]

Hedgehogs can be opportunistic, although primarily insectivorous. They can feed on many things (kibbles for animals, fruits, for example). However, if they are fed too often, they become dependent on humans and no longer know how to manage their diet on their own. This is why a nearby food source or insects on their paths (in reasonable quantities and only before and after hibernation) is ideal, if necessary (if they are weakened, hungry...).

For water, a rather flat container (so as not to drown) with water at room temperature will do the trick at the end of hibernation, for 1 or 2 months. Change the water and clean the container every 2/3 days.

Birds

The LPO [2] recommends feeding birds only in winter and especially during periods of prolonged cold, [3] particularly when snow and frost limit access to food .

Waterer

Birds also need water, which should be changed regularly (especially for flat containers where the water will freeze).

Birds also like water to clean themselves. A shallow birdbath will also be appreciated.

Secure the place

Feeder and waterer will be placed away from predators. There are several models, suspended or not.

Diseases

If there are a lot of birds, having several places can reduce excessive concentrations that can help the circulation of disease.

Regular cleaning of the feeder and watere also helps prevent the spread of disease.

Feed

For food, give unprocessed foods (no salt, no sugar, no grilled...) such as:

seed mixtures,
natural peanuts, walnuts,
withered fruits,
vegetable fat (but without palm oil).

A mixture of 1/2 of vegetable fat and 1/2 a seed will be appreciated. After melting the vegetable fat, we mix the seeds. Place them in a container and wait for it to cool before installing it. Among other things, we can place this in a half coconut shell, which can be suspended.

At the end of winter, reduce the quantities, so that the birds supplement by going themselves what they need.

The presence of an animal

If an animal is around, there's a reason.

A Propitious Place

Animals have natural needs (food, habitat, reproduction, etc.)
If an animal is present around, it means that the place may be conducive to its development.
Inquire with an animal protection association or by your own means, allows you to know your way of life and therefore the needs of a animal.

Thus, we can avoid cutting grass in places, leaving rotten fruits on the ground, leaving a few berries on a shrub, planting plants appreciated by insects, placing the habitat close to a source of food... So many possibilities depending on the species.

Environmental pressure

The presence of an animal may be due to environmental pressure, its natural habitat having been destroyed, degraded... In this case, several things are possible:

restorative management by studying the surrounding ecosystem and animal needs;
conservation by protecting threatened areas;
free evolution consists in leaving a space to nature and letting it do its thing...

Here is a video on the subject of conservation / restorative management.

In the case of environmental pressure, contact an animal protection association to find out how to react.

[1] Source: https://www.jardipartage.fr/herisson-nourriture/

[2] Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux), a french organization about wildlife

[3] from November to the end of March in mainland France, Switzerland or Belgium.