Create a refuge for wildlife.

Plant native trees, shrubs and other vegetation to provide natural food, water, and cover for wildlife.

Avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Allow natural predators (birds, bats, opossums, foxes, reptiles and amphibians) to control pests. Many birds are killed by "secondary poisoning": eating insects or rodents that have eaten a pesticide or rodenticide. Be aware of the food chain!

Where birds are colliding with windows or glass doors, hang hawk or owl silhouettes or spider web stickers. These "Bird Savers" can be purchased inexpensively at local nurseries, or print this one.

Avoid cutting or pruning trees during breeding season. It is illegal to disturb an active bird's nest.

Leave dead trees and stumps standing. They provide homes and food for many creatures.

Bird Feeders, Bird Baths and Nest Boxes

Attract wild birds: feeders and preferred foods

Suet Recipe

Native butterfly gardening

The Birdhouse Network
Building and placement instructions and live nestbox cams

Nest boxes for songbirds

Nest boxes for barred owls

Nest boxes for barn owls

Owl Nest Box Resource Page
Screech owl boxes are also suitable for kestrels, woodpeckers and flying squirrels.

Coexisting with Wildlife

What to do when birds swoop down on you

What to do when you see raccoons and foxes during the day . . .
Every spring, St. Francis Wildlife receives dozens of phone calls and emails like this one from people who are concerned about seeing normally nocturnal animals out during the day. They worry that these animals may be sick or might tangle with their pets. People also worry about them getting hit by cars. Many ask us to trap them.

People see more foxes and raccoons during the day because this is “baby season,” and they are working day and night to feed their babies.

Trapping and relocating one of these animals is pointless, because another individual will soon move in to fill the empty niche. These are also wily animals (“smart as a fox”), and it is nearly impossible to lure a healthy individual into a trap.

One way to help them is to discourage neighbors from feeding wild mammals. Feeding concentrates them in unhealthy numbers and exposes them to traffic and pets; it is also illegal.

 

Protect neighborhood foxes: Print and post this sign in your neighborhood:
Baby foxes play and chase each other, just like puppies. Unfortunately, mama doesn't teach them to look both ways before crossing the street. It is so sad to see these beautiful animals dead on the road.

Download a “Drive Slowly, Baby Foxes” sign. Print on large sheets of colored card stock, laminate and post around your neighborhood.

Watching Wildlife

Birds and Birdwatching:
Birdwatching Basics, Checklist of Florida's 480 species of birds, activities for kids and much more.

Watchable Wildlife in Florida

* Great-crested flycatchers love to nest in gourds. These photos were taken by St. Francis Wildlife volunteer, Kristin King.