蝹 Build a Brush Pile That Becomes a Winter Shelter A simple pile of sticks and branches can become one of the most valuable habitats in your garden. How to build it: Stack larger logs or branches at the base for air gaps. Add medium twigs and smaller sticks on top. Fill gaps with leaves, bark, and straw. Place it in a quiet, shaded corner. Who moves in: Wrens, robins, and sparrows find shelter from wind and snow. Toads, frogs, and small mammals overwinter safely inside. Beetles and pollinators use the decaying wood for nesting. Leave it undisturbed through winter. By spring, it becomes a thriving mini-ecosystem that recycles nutrients and supports wildlife.