How can we help wildlife this winter?

With winter approaching, we’ve been thinking about how to help our furry friends prepare for hibernation and find food during the colder months. Here are some simple ways to lend a hand, like leaving food and water out for birds, building shelters for hedgehogs, and creating bug hotels for insects.

Feeding the Birds

Did you know that different bird species prefer different foods? Greenfinches love sunflower seeds and peanuts, while House Sparrows and Dunnocks favor smaller seeds. The key to feeding birds is ensuring they can easily access the food and providing safe resting spots away from predators.

Mini Beasts

Our Mini Beast Planter offers a perfect home for bugs, insects, and other creepy crawlies. Fill it with the right materials and plant flowers rich in pollen and nectar, like Dandelions, Lavender, and Crocus, to attract bees and other creatures. Add bricks, logs, and leaves at the base, moving up with smaller items like sticks and bamboo tubes for solitary bees. You can even incorporate a hedgehog house into the bottom layer to create a cosy nest.

Top Tips:

Keep water sources ice-free (kids love this task!).
Different birds like different foods, so watch who visits your garden.
Leaf piles can make great homes for small creatures—leave them undisturbed until spring.
Let children get involved in caring for animals!

Badgers & Squirrels

Larger animals like badgers don’t hibernate and may struggle to find food when the ground is frozen. Help them out with lightly cooked meats, cheese, peanuts, and fruits. Squirrels store food, but during very cold spells, you can provide treats like hazelnuts, walnuts, chopped apple, or carrots.

If you come across any hibernating animals this winter, be sure to leave them undisturbed.