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Winter Wildlife

Winter Wildlife Gardens: How to Create a Haven for Wildlife in Winter

by Donna July 3, 2024

written by Donna 2 minutes read

Wildlife-Friendly Winter Gardens

Introduction

Winter can be a tough time for wildlife. Many animals are hibernating, and food is scarce. But there are some plants that can provide food and shelter for wildlife during the winter months.

Best Winter Plants for Wildlife

Here are some of the best plants to grow in your garden to attract wildlife in winter:

Rose hips: These nutritious fruits are loved by birds and small mammals.
Leaf litter: Leaves provide hibernacula for amphibians and hedgehogs.
Ivy berries: These berries are an important source of food for birds and small mammals.
Winter clematis: This plant flowers from November to February, providing food for bees and other insects.
Winter honeysuckle: Another great winter flower for bees.
Mahonia: This plant produces blue berries that are loved by birds.
Daphne: This plant has fragrant flowers that bloom in winter.
Winter heather: This plant provides nectar for bees and other insects.

How to Make Your Garden Wildlife-Friendly in Winter

In addition to planting wildlife-friendly plants, there are other things you can do to make your garden more welcoming to wildlife in winter:

Avoid cutting back berrying plants, as the berries provide food for birds and small mammals.
Leave plant material where it falls, as it provides shelter for hibernating insects and other animals.
Avoid disturbing your compost heap, as it may be home to overwintering wildlife.
Leave as much of your garden as possible intact over winter to ensure wildlife can hibernate safely.

By following these tips, you can create a winter garden that is both beautiful and beneficial to wildlife.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Your Garden in November: How to Help and What to Look For

by Gregory June 22, 2024

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

Wildlife in Your Garden in November

Wildlife in Action

As November’s cold and misty days set in, wildlife in your garden is either battling the darkness or emerging from hibernation to find food.

Keep Bird Feeders Full

Many small birds need extra help staying warm in November. Keep their feeders stocked with sunflower hearts, peanuts, and suet products.

Foraging Foxes

Foxes are active at night, foraging for food. If you want to help them out, leave a raw egg in its shell in your yard.

Tits and Finches on the Hunt

Tits and finches are gathering in groups to search for food. Look for them in trees with seeds, like silver birch and alder.

Breeding Field Mice

Field mice continue to breed in mild winters. Watch for them under bird feeders or in long grasses.

Waxwings in Your Garden

Waxwings, known for their striking appearance, may visit your garden in search of berries. Check plants like cotoneaster and rowan for these beautiful birds.

Listen for Starlings

Starlings form large groups and “murmurate” at dawn and dusk. Listen for their calls from rooftops and observe their impressive aerial displays.

Wildlife

Winter Wildlife in Your Garden: What to Look for in January

by Gregory March 30, 2024

written by Gregory 2 minutes read

What’s Happening with Garden Wildlife in January

Helping Wildlife in Your Garden

During the cold winter months, many garden creatures are getting ready for spring. Here are some ways you can help them:

Keep bird feeders filled and bird baths topped up with fresh water.
Scatter seed and halved apples on the ground for birds that can’t find natural food in the winter, like blackbirds and robins.
Leave berries on English ivy for birds to eat when they need extra energy for breeding.

Wildlife Spotting

Foxes: Foxes are breeding this month. Listen for the female’s scream and the male’s “hup-hup-hup” response.

Unusual Birds: You may see less common birds on your feeders in bad weather, such as siskins, redpolls, and bramblings.

Insects: On mild days, you might spot flies basking in the sun and midges gathering over ponds.

Badgers: In rural areas, you may see badgers wandering around looking for food. They eat earthworms, insects, and berries.

Birdsong: As the days get longer, birdsong starts to return. You’ll hear robins, great tits, wrens, and dunnocks singing.

Nesting Boxes: Installing nesting boxes in your garden provides a safe place for birds to raise their young. Different birds have different needs, so offer a variety of boxes to attract different species.

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!