Caring for wildlife over winter
A few thing we can do to help
Let your garden go wild
Leave undisturbed wild areas in your garden – piles of leaves or brushwood can make the perfect nest in which animals can hide, rest and hibernate. By leaving the task of tidying your garden borders and shrubs until early spring, shelter can be provided for insects throughout winter.
If you have a compost heap, this will become a welcome habitat for toads, and even grass snakes and slow-worms.
Break the ice
If your garden pond freezes over, ensure you make a hole in the ice. Toxic gases can build up in the water of a frozen pond, which may kill any fish or frogs that are hibernating at the bottom.
When you make a hole in the ice, it is very important to do so by carefully placing a pan of hot water on the surface.
Never break the ice with force or tip boiling water onto the pond, as this can harm or even kill any fish that live in it.
Feed the birds
Birds may find it difficult to find natural foods such as berries, insects, seeds, worms and fruit during this cold season. Therefore, any extra food you can put out will help.
Provide a range of seeds, fresh unsalted peanuts and table scraps (cheese and fruits such as apples and pears.) Garden birds also love dried mealworms or waxworms, which can be bought from bird food suppliers.
Provide fresh water
When the temperatures drop below zero, finding clean fresh water to drink can be difficult for wildlife. You can help by leaving some out for them. It is best to provide fresh water each night in a shallow bowl. Don’t add anything to stop the water freezing, and change the water every day to ensure it’s fresh.
Attract garden visitors with good food
When food is scarce, putting out a small amount of an appropriate treat will help to see the mammals visiting your garden through the winter.
For foxes: Put out cheese, boiled potatoes, chicken carcasses, bread and fat scraps at dusk.
For squirrels: Squirrels do not hibernate, instead they cache food during autumn to eat when food is scarce. Offer them nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds, plus some chopped apple, beans, carrots or spinach.
For badgers: Badgers have a tough time finding their favourite food – earthworms – when the ground is frozen. Provide them with lightly cooked meats, cheese, peanuts and fruit.
For hedgehogs: Minced meat, fresh liver, tinned dog food (not fish based), or even scrambled eggs appeal to these prickly creatures. Be aware – hedgehogs like milk but it may cause severe diarrhoea in youngsters. It is best to provide fresh water each night in a shallow bowl.
Do not leave out large quantities of food each evening to avoid your guests becoming dependent on handouts.
It is also not advisable to provide food if it encourages wildlife to cross a busy road.