Helping Birds and Wildlife in Your Garden This Winter
As the cold weather sets in, our feathered friends and other wildlife face a tough time finding food and shelter. However, with a little effort, you can turn your garden into a haven for birds and other creatures during the winter months. Here are a few simple ways to help:
1. Provide Food
Winter can make it hard for birds and wildlife to find enough food. You can support them by offering a variety of foods:
Bird feeders: Fill them with seeds like sunflower hearts, peanuts, or suet. These provide high energy for birds.
Peanut butter: Spread it on tree branches or bark. Birds love it, and it’s a great source of fat.
Mealworms: Offer these to attract species like robins and blue tits.
Fruit: Apples, pears, and berries are great for birds, especially when frozen insects are scarce.
2. Create Shelter
Cold temperatures and harsh winds can make it difficult for wildlife to stay warm. Help by providing shelter:
Birdhouses: Place them in sheltered spots to give birds a safe place to roost.
Dense shrubbery and trees: These act as natural windbreaks, offering birds a place to hide from the cold.
Leave leaf piles: Insects and small mammals will find shelter in piles of fallen leaves, and they help improve the garden’s ecosystem.
3. Keep Fresh Water Available
Water can be as hard to find in winter as food. Keep a birdbath or shallow dish topped up with fresh water. In freezing temperatures, add a de-icer to prevent the water from freezing over.
4. Avoid Pesticides
In winter, insects are fewer, and many animals rely on them for food. Reducing or eliminating pesticides use can help ensure a steady food supply for birds and other critters.
5. Support Hibernating Animals
If your garden is home to hedgehogs or amphibians, be mindful of their hibernation. Leave areas of your garden undisturbed, especially under bushes or in compost heaps, so these animals can find a safe, quiet space to sleep through the winter.
By making a few small changes, you can make a big difference to local wildlife this winter. Providing food, shelter, and water helps birds and other creatures survive the cold months, while also giving you the joy of watching them thrive in your garden.
