Cold-weather Companions: Creating a Winter Refuge for Wildlife
Jenn Fairchild
Winter in the UK isn’t just tough for us humans, it’s also a real challenge for our native wildlife. The cold weather and shorter days see species struggling to find enough food, water, and shelter, all whilst conserving as much energy as possible in order to survive. In this period of scarcity, your garden can be a lifeline – a cosy refuge filled with the essentials to help wildlife survive the chilly months. And, as an added bonus, creating this sanctuary can also bring life and beauty to your garden when you need it most!
Why does wildlife need our help in winter?
Imagine trying to find food when most plants are dormant and snow covers the ground, or searching for water when everything is frozen solid. That’s the reality for many animals over the winter period. Food supplies dwindle, water becomes scarce, and safe places to rest are hard to come by. Human activities such as clearing of outdoor spaces, removal of natural habitats and native plant species and the use of harmful chemicals can make the situation even worse, and combined with our increasingly unpredictable weather, wildlife could use all the help it can get.
So, what can we do to help?
Firstly, much like me, the way to any animal’s heart is through food. Food is essential to survival and luckily, providing it can be fairly simple.
Create a berry buffet: Planting shrubs like holly, hawthorn, and rowan will not only produce berries that will provide a much-needed pop of colour to your winter garden, but they’re also a favourite snack for hungry critters.
Leave the leftovers: I know it’s hard but try to resist the urge to tidy up your garden too much. By leaving winter seedheads intact, you’ll be providing a tasty treat for wildlife to nibble on with zero effort. If you happen to have crab apple trees, leaving the fruit both on the tree and on the ground also provides a great no-effort source of food well into the winter.
Feeding stations: Hang bird feeders filled with seeds, suet, or peanuts, or make ‘fat balls’ at home as a fun winter activity. There’s a variety of recipes available online designed to entice different bird species, and you can also scatter fruit on the ground for thrushes, blackbirds, and small mammals to enjoy. Just make sure that feeders are topped up regularly and are cleaned thoroughly once a week following RSPB advice.
Nectar lifesavers: Bees are not a species we typically associate with winter, however, due to our warming climate, they are increasingly venturing out from hibernation on warmer days in search of food. By including nectar-rich winter flowering plants such as heather, snowdrops, and hellebores, you can help make these excursions much more fruitful, whilst adding some colour to your garden.
Next up, water: the essence of life. Water is just as crucial as food, especially when it’s freezing outside. Make sure to keep water topped up regularly, and to clean receptacles weekly to prevent bacteria build-up.
Simple solutions: A shallow dish of water left in a safe spot can make all the difference to thirsty animals. It will also provide a nice place for a bath!
Birdbath TLC: If you have a birdbath, keep it ice-free by checking it regularly and adding warm water as needed
Pond care: If you have a pond, don’t let it freeze over completely, as not only will it provide a source of drinking water, but any amphibians that may be hibernating at the bottom need a constant flow of oxygen into the water. Floating a ball in the centre can prevent the pond from freezing entirely, but if your pond does freeze unexpectedly, do not forcibly break the ice. Instead, pour on some warm water to gently melt it, making the hole as big as possible to aid oxygen diffusion
Along with food and water, just like humans, shelter is essential for wildlife. Cold nights and predators looking for a meal make the winter months a scary time and means that having a protected area to rest is all the more important, especially if you hibernate.
Hedges for hiding: Thick, evergreen hedges like yew or ivy offer protection from harsh weather and are perfect for any animals seeking cover.
Cosy log piles: Stack up logs or twigs in a quiet corner and provide a five-star hotel for insects, amphibians, and hedgehogs.
Ready-made homes: Installing purpose made birdhouses, hedgehog homes, and insect hotels can give these creatures a snug place to rest throughout the year, not just in the winter months. There is plenty of information online about making them as cosy as possible for their new residents, and how best to care for them. It is important to clean bird boxes and hedgehog homes, but this must be done at the correct time of year to prevent harm to young and hibernating individuals.
Leafy layers: Instead of bagging up all of those fallen leaves for the recycling man to collect, create a pile in a sheltered spot. This will provide a warm bed for insects, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
Finally, If you’re looking for a way to make your garden more wildlife friendly all year round, not just in winter, there are a few small things you can do that will have a big impact.
Go native: By skipping the ornamentals in favour of native plants, you are providing habitat and food sources which are perfectly suited to our local wildlife
Skip the chemicals: Pesticides harm more than just insects, and using them has negative impacts on the species you want to help. Instead, opt for natural solutions to keep the slugs off your veg patch!
Prune with care: Many animals use branches and leaves to build their homes, so avoid heavy pruning where possible, especially in winter
· Dim the lights: Bright lights disturb our nocturnal friends, and have negative impacts on species like bats, and dormice. Using low intensity, motion-sensor lighting can help reduce the impact