Winter Wildlife Advice

Winter can be a tough time for the wildlife around us so we’ve put together some top tips for keeping them safe during this season.

Garden birds;

• Provide a selection of suitable grains, seeds and unsalted fresh peanuts in a mesh container to avoid choking for small birds or chicks.
• Net free fat or suet balls can be a great energy source – Be careful to store these well away from your pets! Cooked pasta or rice, boiled potatoes, cheese, uncooked and unsalted bacon rind, apples, pears and soft fruits can also be given.
• Insects such as mealworms and waxworms can provide a tasty treat for the wild birds. Provide plenty of fresh water for our feathered friends.
• Place feeders and water bowls at height and ensure cats and other predators can’t use these as a place to find their prey! A bell on your cats collar can also help to keep the birds safe from stalking. Provide shelter with bird boxes with a steep roof to prevent cats sitting on top.

Squirrels;

• Squirrels love nuts so providing hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts as well as chopped apple, beans, carrots and spinach can help to top up their feed stores this winter.

Frozen ponds;

• Gases which can be toxic to fish and other pond wildlife can build up in frozen ponds under the ice. If you have a pond, check it daily for ice. If it has frozen over then pour some hot water onto the surface until a small hole has formed. Never pour boiling water onto your pond as this could harm the wildlife below the ice as it breaks.

Hibernating animals;

• Many animals will hibernate over the colder months. If you find an animal in hibernation then be sure to leave it alone. If you are lighting any bonfires, always check first for wildlife. Provide logs and leaf piles elsewhere in your garden to give wildlife a place to shelter. Be careful with compost heaps as frogs, toads and other animals may be sheltering in these.