Our Littleton, Colorado, farm, one of the few remaining in this part of Metro Denver, is an oasis for local wildlife. In the course of a year, we host fox, an occasional coyote, meadow voles, fox squirrels, owls, hawks and a wide variety of songbirds. But it is in one corner of the property that the diversity of flora and fauna is especially rich.
Set aside as an area for our brush pile and compost bin, it has been relatively undisturbed since we purchased the farm in 1990 (though, for a number of years, it was the site of my son's fort). Now covered by a mix of saplings, chokecherries, thistle and wild herbs, this neglected patch of nature is always a good spot for wildlife watching. Garter snakes, house wrens, lesser goldfinches, flycatchers and an interesting mix of insects (especially dragonflies, butterflies and beetles) are among the highlights during the warmer months. A forest of poison hemlock has gradually spread through part of this miniature refuge; a member of the parsley family (related to wild carrots, wild celery and fennel), this plant is a native of Eurasia and is said to have caused the death of Socrates.
Most American suburbanites strive to control nature as they create a manicured landscape around their homes. They might hang a feeder in the tree or place a bird bath in the flower garden but they overlook the potential benefits of neglected habitat. Nature thrives in her own clutter and, by taking a hands off approach, we can attract many more species into our yards.
