Help Wildlife in Colder Weather
See below for tips to help wildlife!
- Leave areas of garden undisturbed, with leaf litter, log piles, and long grass where animals can shelter.
- Avoid cutting back flowering plants and hedgerows late in autumn so birds and mammals can access seeds and berries.
- Put out food and fresh water for birds, hedgehogs and small mammals. Hanging feeders, ground feeding stations and shallow dishes work well.
- Make DIY shelters like hedgehog houses, log piles and bird boxes for small animals to nest and hibernate in. Ensure they are frost-free.
- Look out for amphibians like frogs and toads and provide damp areas for them to shelter in like compost heaps. Avoid disturbing their hiding spots.
- Cover pools, ponds and water butts so animals don’t fall in and struggle to escape. Create ramps so they can climb out.
- Drive carefully at dusk and dawn when wildlife is most active crossing roads from one habitat to another.
- Keep dogs and cats under control and don’t let them disturb, injure or kill wildlife.
- Report injured, trapped or mistreated animals to the RSPCA for help immediately.
- Join wildlife surveys like the RSPB’s Garden Birdwatch to monitor native species over winter.