Wildlife

Hundreds of different animals are native to Nova Scotia including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. If you wish to manage for wildlife on your woodlot, you can choose to manage for many animals, specific animals or both. Whatever you decide, you will require a basic knowledge of the animals' needs including:

  • habitat requirements
  • food
  • sensitivity to change

Planning
When planning for wildlife habitat and food requirements, you may want to consider:

  • modifying harvest activities to minimize impact on wildlife
  • creating edges through forestry practices - uneven borders produce more edge, which provide many animals with food and shelter, than regular shapes such as circles or squares
  • providing for current and future snags and cavity trees- about 25% of all species use dead and old trees for shelter, roosting, feeding, hibernating or nesting (includes owls, chickadees, woodpeckers, kestrels, squirrels, raccoons and porcupines)
  • managing alder thickets, favoured by grouse, woodcock and songbirds
  • locating and identifying large nest trees and avoid activities around nests during breeding season
  • planting and improving apple trees and trees that produce seeds and nuts
  • maintaining stands of aspen (poplar) trees
  • constructing nest boxes
  • special attention to land along waterways

For more information, contact the Alberta Environment Sustainable Resource Development or a nature organization.

Resources

Wildlife of Nova Scotia

Birds of Alberta - official list 

Significant species and habitats database NS
- Online

Butterflies North & South
- Online
Virtual Museum Canada

Guide to identification and information about poisonous plants in Nova Scotia

Bird Monitoring in North America

Nest Box Construction
- Online
Canadian Wildlife Federation

Cavity Trees are Refuges for Wildlife

Project FeederWatch
Bird Studies Canada

Ecology of the Ruffed Grouse

Ducks at a Distance Identification Guide - Online

Options for Controlling Beaver

NS Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations
- Online

NS Department of Natural Resources - Wildlife Division
902-679-6091

NSDNR 'Conservation Magazine' Articles