Yes, you're so right!...allot of good critters can hide, take shelter and overwinter better, also the not so liked pest like voles.

Konrad

Leaf litter and logs - I have lots! Other places that I've noticed critters like to hide is under the cardboard used for gardening and in piles of wood chips. I have found Salamanders in both of these. I also had lots of tree frogs in the yard this summer - even though I have an upland lot and no water. We did have a VERY wet summer, and the log piles gave them moist places to hide.

Here is a little friend found under some cardboard. (I was wearing the gloves because I was transplanting seedlings.)

{{gwi:361195}}

The one in my picture (red backed salamander) doesn't need standing water really as they lay eggs underground.