Cover

Birds and wildlife require cover and minimal disturbance in order to be secure and unexposed to the many threats of the outside world, including humans, dogs, cats, ravens, cowbirds and other aggressive predators. Many species require cover for feeding because their prey is located amongst foliage or leaf litter on the ground. Countless species of insects and other organisms at the base of the food chain live in the cover of foliage and leaf litter, especially in open sunny areas. Structural diversity in the layering and heights of cover is important for many bird species. Plants can be barriers against human intrusion, especially when woody or thorny plants are employed. Varied rocky surfaces are an excellent form of cover for small creatures. In urban park ecosystems a lack of large areas of dense cover at the ground level limits many species of bird, mammal and salamander.

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Food

Wildlife require food opportunities in close proximity to the areas where they live. Some seasonal foods such as nuts, berries and nectar are obvious to the human observer but many, like seeds or insects are well hidden or hardly visible. Some resident species may live around the same food sources for their entire lives and become dependent on food resources on a small scale. Providing feeding opportunities for creatures throughout the year is especially important within isolated parks. When water, cover and other requirements are met, migratory birds and other wildlife may be able to take full advantage of seasonally available resources such as fruit, seeds, nectar or insects.

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Water
Urban wildlife always need water. Migrant birds pass through the city each spring and expect to find water wherever they land. Although existing urban wildlife are opportunistic and can get their water from sprinklers, puddles, runoff and dew, water sources most beneficial to wildlife, such as standing water, are rare in small urban parks. Water features in open sunlit areas become central areas for wildlife including drinking insects and bathing birds. A shallow stream of water, flowing over a gradually sloping surface studded with small stones, is an optimal drinking and bathing place for birds. Water features also serve as feeding areas by providing opportunities for seed producing plants, insects and prey.

Opportunities and Limiting Factors:
Learn to identify them. Learn to maximize your opportunities (i.e. use optimal plant species) and minimize or mitigate for limiting factors. (i.e. create patchwork of small bushes if groves of large bushes are not possible).