How to look after wildlife in your winter garden
Winter can be a challenging time for garden wildlife, but by making a few simple additions to your garden, you can create a welcoming space that helps birds, hedgehogs, and other wildlife thrive throughout the colder months.
With the right food, shelter, and a little consistency, your garden can become a vital refuge until spring arrives.
Creating a winter bird feeder
A bird feeder is a wonderful way to keep our feathered friends happy. You can choose an existing bird feeder at Dobbies, or make your own by spreading peanut butter and nuts onto an apple and hanging in your garden.
Whether you’ve bought one or made your own, place your feeder away from where other predators like hedgehogs and badgers can get to it, and sheltered from harsh winds.
Fat balls, suet blocks, and peanut feeders are excellent options for cold days, while sunflower hearts and mixed seed appeal to a wide range of garden birds. Scatter feeding on tables or the ground can help species that don’t use hanging feeders.
Fresh water is just as important as food in winter - birds need it for drinking and feather maintenance, but ponds and bird baths can freeze over when the colder weather hits.
Be sure to check water sources regularly and gently break ice when needed (avoid boiling water as sudden temperature changes can damage structures like bird baths!).
Looking after winter wildlife
It’s not just birds that need our help over winter - hedgehogs may still be active during mild spells and can sometimes struggle to find food. Cat biscuits can be placed in a frost-proof bowl in your garden along with fresh water to help.
Leaf piles, logs, and natural debris offer shelter for insects, amphibians, and small mammals. If you have space, a wildlife house or log pile tucked into a quiet corner can make a big difference and give critters a home during the colder months.
One of the best things to do is leave evergreen plants, hedges, and shrubs a little bit unpruned to give wildlife shelter from harsh weather conditions. Plants with berries or seed heads can also act as natural food sources!
Enjoy the rewards
Caring for wildlife in winter is as rewarding for you as it is helpful for them. From cheerful birdsong on frosty mornings to spotting new visitors in your outdoor space, small actions can bring (and help) lots of life to your garden this year.
With a little planning and care, your garden can become a winter haven — one that supports wildlife now and blooms with activity when spring finally arrives.