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Wildlife Gardening

The Ultimate Guide to Hedgehog Hibernation: Everything You Need to Know

by Donna January 31, 2022

written by Donna 3 minutes read

The Ultimate Guide to Hedgehog Hibernation

Hedgehogs are fascinating creatures that have a unique way of surviving the winter months: hibernation. During hibernation, hedgehogs enter a state of torpor, where their body temperature drops and their bodily functions slow down significantly. This allows them to conserve energy and survive on stored body fat.

Q: Do Hedgehogs Hibernate?

A: Yes, hedgehogs are one of the few mammals that truly hibernate.

Q: Where Do Hedgehogs Hibernate?

Hedgehogs hibernate in dry, sheltered places such as log piles, leaf piles, compost heaps, and beneath sheds. They may also choose to hibernate in hedgehog houses.

Q: When Do Hedgehogs Hibernate?

Hedgehogs typically hibernate from October to March, but may be active into November and December in mild winters. Some hedgehogs may not hibernate at all.

Q: How Long Do Hedgehogs Hibernate For?

Hedgehogs can hibernate for a few weeks to a few months, depending on their condition, the temperature, and whether or not they are disturbed.

What Can You Do to Help Hibernating Hedgehogs?

The best thing you can do to help hibernating hedgehogs is to leave them undisturbed. Take care when gardening, especially in areas where hedgehogs may be hibernating. If you accidentally disturb a hedgehog, cover it back up with leaves and provide some supplementary food and water.

You can also create hedgehog-friendly habitats in your garden by providing log or leaf piles, compost heaps, and native plants that attract insects.

Q: What to Do If You Find a Hedgehog Out During the Day in Autumn or Winter?

If you see a hedgehog out during the day in autumn or winter, it may be sick or injured. Wear gloves to pick up the hedgehog and place it in a high-sided box with a towel and a covered hot water bottle to keep it warm. Contact a hedgehog rescue centre immediately for advice.

Signs of a Sick Hedgehog

Out during the day in autumn or winter
Lethargic or unresponsive
Wobbly or uncoordinated
Discharge from the eyes or nose
Sores or injuries

Conclusion

Hedgehogs are amazing creatures that play an important role in our ecosystem. By understanding their hibernation habits and taking steps to help them, we can ensure that these fascinating animals continue to thrive.

Wildlife Gardening

Wildlife Identification Guide for Your Garden: Discover the Creatures in Your Backyard

by Gregory November 13, 2021

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Wildlife Identification: A Guide to Discovering the Creatures in Your Backyard

Introduction

Do you ever wonder what kind of wildlife is visiting your garden? With a little bit of knowledge, you can easily identify the different species that share your space.

Garden Birds

Our gardens are often visited by a variety of birds. Here are a few common species to look out for:

Robin: A small, round bird with a bright red breast.
Blackbird: A larger bird with black feathers and a yellow beak.
Blue tit: A tiny bird with a blue head and yellow belly.
Great tit: A larger tit with a black head and white cheeks.
Sparrow: A small, brown bird with a distinctive chirp.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Amphibians, such as frogs and newts, and reptiles, such as lizards and snakes, can also be found in gardens. Here are a few examples:

Common frog: A green frog with brown spots.
Toad: A larger frog with a warty skin.
Newt: A small, aquatic salamander.
Grass snake: A non-venomous snake with green and black stripes.
Common lizard: A small, brown lizard with a long tail.

Insects

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, and many of them can be found in gardens. Here are a few common types:

Butterflies: Beautiful insects with colorful wings.
Moths: Nocturnal insects that are often mistaken for butterflies.
Bees: Important pollinators that come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Wasps: Beneficial insects that can also be a nuisance.
Beetles: Insects with hard wing cases that come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
Dragonflies and damselflies: Fast-flying insects with long, slender bodies.
Ladybirds: Beneficial insects that come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Other Wildlife

In addition to the above groups, there are many other types of wildlife that can be found in gardens, including:

Hedgehogs: Small, spiny mammals that are active at night.
Squirrels: Agile rodents with bushy tails.
Bats: Nocturnal mammals that use echolocation to navigate.

How to Identify Wildlife

There are a few key things to look for when identifying wildlife:

Size: How big is the animal?
Shape: What is the overall shape of the animal?
Color: What color is the animal?
Markings: Does the animal have any distinctive markings, such as stripes or spots?
Behavior: How does the animal behave?

Conclusion

With a little bit of practice, you can easily identify the different types of wildlife that visit your garden. This can help you appreciate the diversity of nature and learn more about the creatures that share our planet.

Wildlife Gardening

Sunflower Leaf Damage: The Lesser Goldfinch Connection and Humane Control Methods

by Gregory October 26, 2021

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

Sunflower Leaf Damage: The Mysterious Culprit

Have you noticed strange holes in your sunflower leaves? You’re not alone! Many gardeners, especially in California and Texas, have been asking, “What’s eating my sunflower leaves?”

The Surprising Leaf Eater

The culprit is not an insect, as you might expect, but a beautiful bird called the lesser goldfinch. These birds love the seeds of plants in the daisy family, and sunflowers are no exception. They feast on the tender greens, leaving behind tattered leaves.

Identifying Goldfinch Damage

Here’s how to recognize the damage caused by lesser goldfinches:

Skeletonized leaves: Leaves with most of the tissue eaten away, leaving only the veins.
Shredded leaves with angular holes: Leaves with irregular and sharp-edged holes.

Understanding the Lesser Goldfinch

Range and Habitat:

Lesser goldfinches are found in the Western U.S., Mexico, and parts of South America. They prefer habitats with oak, cottonwood, and willow trees.

Diet:

These birds primarily eat seeds from the composite plant family, as well as grasses, weeds, and certain tree seeds. During breeding and growth phases, they supplement their diet with greens like sunflower leaves for essential vitamins and minerals.

Controlling Goldfinch Damage

If the damage to your sunflowers becomes excessive, here are some humane and effective control methods:

Scare Tactics:

Hang shiny objects like streamers near the sunflowers to startle the birds.
Move the scare devices every few days to keep the birds guessing.

Physical Barriers:

Stretch bird netting over the plants to protect them.
Use row covers for low-growing vegetable plants that attract goldfinches.

Repellents:

Apply commercial bird repellents to discourage feeding.

Coexisting with Goldfinches

Remember that goldfinches are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It’s illegal to capture or harm them without a permit. Instead, focus on creating a balance between attracting birds and protecting your plants.

Consider planting extra sunflowers so that there’s enough for both you and the goldfinches to enjoy.

Conclusion

Goldfinches and sunflowers are often a beautiful sight together. While these birds can cause some damage to your plants, understanding their behavior and implementing humane control methods can help you minimize the impact while still enjoying the presence of these feathered friends in your garden.

Wildlife Gardening

Go Wild in April: Make Your Garden a Haven for Wildlife

by Gregory August 12, 2021

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

Go Wild in April: Make Your Garden a Haven for Wildlife

Every April, our gardens come alive with wildlife. Here’s how you can make your garden a haven for creatures great and small:

Caterpillars and Birds: A Match Made in Nature

Caterpillars are essential food for baby birds. In April, caterpillars are emerging from hibernation, so it’s important to leave some areas of your garden a little wild. Let fallen leaves accumulate and allow some grass to grow long. This will give caterpillars a place to hide and hibernate.

Bees and Pollinators: The Unsung Heroes

Bees and other pollinators are busy gathering food for their young in April. Plant flowers that bloom in April, such as apple blossoms and lungwort. You can also put up a bee hotel to give solitary bees a place to nest.

Water and Shelter: Essential for All

All wildlife needs water and shelter. Provide water for birds, bees, and other creatures by using water butts. Create shelter by leaving log and leaf piles and having a large compost heap.

Specific Wildlife Spotlights

Garden tiger moth: This once-common moth has declined by 92% in recent years. Help it by being less tidy in winter and allowing weeds to grow.
Hairy footed flower bees: These bees love lungwort flowers. Plant lungwort in your garden to attract them.
Red mason bees: These solitary bees are more efficient pollinators than honeybees. Put up a bee hotel to give them a place to nest.

By following these simple tips, you can make your garden a haven for wildlife and enjoy the beauty of nature all around you.

Wildlife Gardening

Create a Cozy Winter Hideaway for Toads: A Step-by-Step Guide

by Gregory June 27, 2020

written by Gregory 4 minutes read

Creating a Cozy Winter Hideaway for Toads

Introduction

Toads are beneficial garden creatures that help control pests like ants, beetles, and slugs. During the winter, they hibernate to survive the cold temperatures. You can help ensure their survival by creating a warm and safe winter hideaway for them.

Materials You’ll Need:

Garden spade
Dried autumn leaves
Stones
Bricks
Old plastic lid

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Digging the Hole

Use a garden spade to dig a rectangular hole about a spade’s depth.
Create a sloping approach to the hole so toads can easily enter and exit.

2. Lining the Hole

Line the hole and the sloping approach with bricks or tiles to provide drainage.
Place stones at the top of the bricks at the deepest point of the hole.

3. Adding Insulation

Collect dried autumn leaves and scatter them over the stones.
This layer of leaves will provide insulation to keep toads warm during the winter.

4. Covering the Hole

Place the plastic lid over the top of the stones.
Place a stone slab directly on top of the plastic lid, leaving a small gap between the slab and the brick slope for toad access.

Tips for Success:

Choose a location that is cool, damp, and out of reach of predators like cats, crows, and hedgehogs.
Ensure the hideaway is large enough for multiple toads to hibernate together.
If you live in an area with heavy snowfall, consider adding a layer of straw or mulch over the plastic lid for extra insulation.

Benefits of Providing a Winter Hideaway for Toads:

Protection from the cold: Toads need a warm and humid environment to survive hibernation. A winter hideaway provides this essential shelter.
Increased survival rates: By providing a safe place to hibernate, you can help increase the survival rates of toads in your garden.
Pest control: Toads are natural pest controllers, so having them in your garden can help reduce insect populations.
Educational value: Creating a toad hideaway is a fun and educational project for children and adults alike. It’s a great way to learn about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Additional Autumn Wildlife Jobs:

In addition to creating a winter toad hideaway, here are some other autumn wildlife jobs you can do to help local wildlife:

Make bird feeders: Fill bird feeders with seeds and suet to provide food for birds during the winter.
Plant a wildlife hedge: Plant a hedge with native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Clean out nest boxes: Remove old nesting material and clean nest boxes to prepare them for nesting birds in the spring.
Leave out water: Provide a shallow dish of water in your garden for birds and other wildlife to drink from.
Avoid pruning berry-bearing shrubs: Leave berry-bearing shrubs unpruned so that birds and small mammals can feed on the fruits.

By taking these simple steps, you can help wildlife thrive in your garden all year round.

Wildlife Gardening

How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden: A Guide for Beginners

by Gregory May 30, 2020

written by Gregory 3 minutes read

How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden

Introduction

If you love wildlife, you can turn your garden into a haven for all kinds of creatures. By planting the right plants, you can attract birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife to your backyard.

Plants that Attract Birds

Birds love to eat berries, seeds, and insects. To attract birds to your garden, plant trees and shrubs that produce berries, such as holly, elderberry, and hawthorn. You can also plant flowers that are rich in nectar, such as sunflowers, daisies, and lavender.

Plants that Attract Butterflies

Butterflies are attracted to flowers that are bright and colorful. To attract butterflies to your garden, plant flowers such as zinnias, cosmos, and butterfly bush. You can also plant herbs that are rich in nectar, such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme.

Plants that Attract Bees

Bees are essential pollinators, so it’s important to plant flowers that are attractive to them. Bees are attracted to flowers that are blue, purple, or yellow. Some good choices for bee-friendly flowers include lavender, sunflowers, and daisies.

Winter Wildlife Survival

Some wildlife, such as birds and squirrels, need help surviving the winter months. You can provide food and shelter for wildlife by planting trees and shrubs that provide berries and nuts. You can also build birdhouses and bat boxes to give wildlife a place to roost.

Wildlife Habitats

In addition to planting the right plants, you can also create wildlife habitats in your garden. For example, you can build a pond to attract frogs and dragonflies. You can also create a rock garden to provide shelter for lizards and snakes.

Wildlife-Friendly Lawn

Your lawn can also be a haven for wildlife. To make your lawn more wildlife-friendly, avoid using pesticides and herbicides. You can also mow your lawn less frequently to give wildlife a chance to nest and feed.

Wildlife Hedge

A wildlife hedge is a great way to attract wildlife to your garden and provide them with shelter and food. To create a wildlife hedge, plant a variety of native shrubs that produce berries, nuts, and nectar.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can create a wildlife-friendly garden that is both beautiful and beneficial to wildlife. So what are you waiting for? Start planting today!

Wildlife Gardening

Christmas Dinner for Birds: A Guide to Providing Natural and Supplementary Food

by Donna January 26, 2020

written by Donna 3 minutes read

Christmas Dinner for Birds: A Guide to Providing Natural and Supplementary Food

Introduction

Christmas is a time of abundance for humans, but it’s important to remember our feathered friends in the garden. Natural food sources can be scarce during winter, so providing birds with a festive feast is a great way to help them thrive.

Natural Food Sources

The best way to feed birds in winter is to provide them with natural food sources. This includes:

Berrying trees and shrubs: Rowan, hawthorn, guelder rose, holly, and ivy all produce berries that are loved by birds.
Seeds-bearing trees: Silver birch and alder trees are both great sources of seeds for birds, especially tits.
Other plants: Sunflowers, echinacea, teasels, and even lavender can provide a bonus source of natural food for birds after they have set seed.

You can also help birds by:

Letting leaves rot down naturally: This provides shelter for invertebrates, which birds eat.
Allowing areas of grass to grow long: This also provides shelter for invertebrates.

Supplementary Food

In addition to natural food sources, you can also provide birds with supplementary food to help them through the winter. This includes:

Calorie-rich sunflower hearts
Peanuts
“No mess” mixes
Suet

You can also leave out small amounts of:

Christmas scraps: Bread or cake crumbs (not too sweet or salty)
Grated cheese
Cooked rice
Rehydrated raisins and sultanas (only if you don’t have a dog, as sultanas can be lethal to dogs)

Foods to Avoid

There are some foods that you should avoid giving to birds, including:

Fat from cooking: This might not solidify if conditions are mild, and it can smear on birds’ feathers, preventing them from being able to fly.
Turkey fat: This is soft and can smear on birds’ feathers, preventing them from being able to fly.

Water

It’s also important to provide birds with a dish of fresh water, especially during winter. Make sure to clean the bird bath regularly to prevent the spread of diseases.

Preventing Diseases

To prevent the spread of diseases at bird feeders, it’s important to keep them clean. Many diseases are spread at bird feeders, including trichonomosis, which affects finches, and avian pox, which is often seen in tits.

Here are some tips for keeping bird feeders clean:

Use several bird feeders and rotate them each time they are emptied.
Clean feeders with hot, soapy water before rinsing thoroughly and leaving to dry.

Conclusion

By providing birds with a variety of natural and supplementary food sources, you can help them to thrive during the winter months. Just be sure to avoid giving them foods that are harmful, and keep bird feeders clean to prevent the spread of diseases.

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