I now have a full ecosystem in my backyard. A hawk is using it as a hunting ground. 

Success?

I make rockets IRL.
I reserve the right to shamelessly recast for degen reasons. 
Soldier once upon a time.

I’d classify that as 10/10 success. 

Now go away and think about what you could do so that your backyard could host even more varied forms of life.

Horticulturalist. Environmental hand wringer. Open source enthusiast. 

mfer #9187

I have an area where I leave all the leaves that fall from the thorny bush and trees. And plenty of lizards. 

But both times a small bird built a nest, asshole crows throw it on the ground.

A free meal is a free meal. 

Some other good starting points:

Plant some prickly locally native shrubs for small birds to hide from cats in.

Try no mow May to encourage insects into your garden as a food resource for other wildlife .

Build a lizard lounge out of some old terracotta pipes and rock.

Decided to make it easier for predators. I set a mouse trap, it caught one. Then I chucked it in the middle of the grass and my hawk friend flew off with it.