Urban landscapes are controlled by the people who live there. This usually means that the plants found in urban areas have been chosen for their beauty and not because they are native to the area or for their value to wildlife.

The most numerous plants in urban landscapes are non-native grasses that we use to make lawns, the most popular grass being Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis). This plant does not have much value for wildlife as a food source because it is not native or as protection because we keep lawns cut short so that there is little cover in which to hide. The trees and shrubs that are most common in urban landscapes are often non-native as well; some popular ones are Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea pungens var. glauca), Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), Lilacs (Syringa spp.) and Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.).

However, the presence of any vegetation in urban landscapes is helpful to wildlife and you will still find birds in shrubs as well as other animals.

Many people are realising that there are lovely native trees and shrubs that are perhaps more suitable. They are adapted to the local soil conditions and climate and therefore do not require as much maintenance. Many of them provide important foods and nesting sites for local animal species. One very important feature is that they are naturally resistant to local insects and other pests. If you grow native plants and do not use pesticides (or fertilisers that contain pesticides), your yard can be a good habitat island for birds, mammals and, if you have a pond, amphibians too.

Green frog in backyard pond. Photo by Don McLean.

The kinds of native mammals that can be found in urban habitats range from common Racoons (Procyon lotor), squirrels (e.g. Sciurus carolinensis, the Eastern Grey Squirrel) and Striped Skunks (Mephitus mephitus), to the frequent, but less visible opossums (Didelphis virginiana), foxes (e.g. Vulpes vulpes, the Red Fox) and coyotes (Canis latrans).

Of course you will find many non-native mammals, such as domestic cats (Felis catus) in the urban habitat who unfortunately prey upon the songbirds that we also value.

Dogs (Canis familiaris) are also very visible urban mammals. If under the control of their owner they are not a threat to wildlife. If loose, they may hunt wild animals and can be very destructive to nests, dens and plants. Dogs should always be on a leash for their own safety and to protect natural areas.

Birds are the animals that most often come to mind when people think about animals they see in their urban area.

Northern Juncos at backyard feeder. Photo by Elaine Serena.

Many people have bird feeders in their yards and these feeders can be important to birds, especially when there are limited natural food sources, like during migration, periods of drought, or in the winter.

Common birds are Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura), sparrows of all kinds, Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis), Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) and American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos).

Mourning Dove in winter, appreciating heated water source. Photo by Elaine Serena.

You will also see the non-native European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), and House Finches (Carpodacus mexicanus). Along roadsides it is easy to spot Red-tailed Hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) in trees or on road signs, watching for mice and voles in the vegetation below. Sometimes American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and Merlins (Falco columbarius) can be seen feeding on smaller birds or mammals.

If you visit downtown Hamilton in the spring to fall seasons, you might get a glimpse of a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) hunting pigeons (Columba livia, also called Rock Doves).

Peregrine Falcon on window ledge of 22nd floor, 25 Main St W., Hamilton. Photo by Phil Greenall.

These birds of prey adapt well to the canyon and cliff-like atmosphere of downtown and have returned to the Hamilton area after being extirpated for many years.

You can also watch these birds and their young via a live webcam at the Hamilton Naturalists' Club's Community Peregrine Project website.