As the weather gets colder and we look towards the winter, my thoughts have turned to how I might better help wildlife visitors to my garden over the coming months.
Our gardens, balconies and community open spaces can provide much needed havens for all kinds of wildlife during the winter, when they are at their most vulnerable due to the diminishing food supply and freezing temperatures.
Much of our wildlife, including many mammals, amphibians and insects, hibernate over the winter and if we are able to help provide them with somewhere cosy and sheltered to do this, along with making provision for those that either don’t such as birds and squirrels, or others who may wake-up from hibernation too early in our increasingly warmer temperatures, it really improves their chances of survival.
I think we can all do something to help whatever the size of our outdoor space, from a small bird feeder or drinking station to choosing nature friendly plants that also look fabulous.
An outdoor space that is as attractive to wildlife as it is to us, doesn’t have to look untidy or inherently ‘wild’ if that’s really not your thing, and I have to confess I do like a bit of order myself, but finding a little space to make a difference will certainly increase the biodiversity in your garden and also pay off next year when some of the beneficial creatures you’ve helped, act as natural pest controllers for you.
Look out for my post on planting for pollinators early next year, meanwhile here are a few ideas that you might like to try in the meantime.
1. Logs and Leaves
Many insects and small creatures will benefit from log or leaf piles so they’re great for wildlife. Any sheltering insects will also attract insect-eating birds and help ensure a sustainable garden environment.
To make a lovely natural habitat, find a nice sheltered spot and pile up logs and any larger twigs and branches you have and leave it undisturbed until the spring. If you have water nearby, you may also find that newts, frogs or toads move in too.
If you choose to collect up the fallen autumn leaves (other ideas can be found here too Autumn Leaves you can also do a similar thing with these, adding in twigs and branches, which could make a nice safe and cosy winter home for hedgehogs. Do remember not to disturb the pile until later in spring once any overwintering creatures have woken up and moved on. Bees and especially bumble bees, like to bury themselves in leaf litter to hibernate so providing a nice dry patch will ensure lots of valuable pollinators make it into next year.
2. Rocks and Pots
Many insects and small creatures like to hide out in dry little spaces, gaps and crevices over the winter so making a nice sheltered spot for them could really help. You can create a small pile with large stones, rocks or old plant pots and possibly even stuff some dry twigs or leaves between the gaps, if you have any still lying around. If you have limited space, thread some string through one of the ends of an old plant pot or perhaps a recycled yoghurt pot and tie securely with a knot inside the pot and enough string outside to make a large loop. Pack the pot with straw, crumpled re-cycled packing paper or card and hang it upside down in a spot that’s protected from the worst of the weather.
3. Ponds and Pools
Adult male frogs like to bury themselves in the mud at the bottom of a pond over winter but like the fish, they can either be frozen if the pond is shallow and the temperature too cold or suffocated if the surface freezes. To help prevent this and to allow other wildlife to stop by and take a drink, float a ball on the surface to prevent it freezing over.
Female frogs and younger males prefer to overwinter somewhere damp but protected from the frost and freezing temperatures out of the water but still close by. You can create a great spot for this using a big pile of grass clippings with some leaves mixed in which will help act as insulation from the worst of the weather. If, unlike me, you live somewhere that’s relatively dry, you could build the pile on a recycled compost bag which will help to retain moisture in the new habitat.
4. Seeds and Stems
I’ve written quite extensively here Seed Pod Suppers about the advantages of not doing too much tidying in advance of winter.
The sturdier plants and flowers that we’ve enjoyed over the summer can provide winter food and even homes for a wide variety of wildlife as well as providing spectacular interest in the frost and snow.
Hollow stems of grasses and perennials give shelter for insects such as ladybirds, bees, lacewings and wasps as well as continuing to protect any less hardy plants from freezing temperatures too.
5. Birds and Butterflies
As the weather turns colder and the natural food sources for birds decrease, it’s helpful to start feeding the garden birds. Before starting this, do give it some thought and make sure you can commit to this until the weather warms up as the birds can become reliant on it when not much else is about. If you are able to offer a range of different nutrient rich foods, you will enjoy spotting a wider range of species in your outdoor space. The RSPB offers some great advice on suitable snack options and if you have a fruit tree, many birds will enjoy eating any remaining fruit but do be sure to clear any fallen ones away before they become mouldy and so dangerous to the birds.
Likewise, on a dry day, half a fresh apple on a bird table will be appealing and by adding some sugar rich banana too, you may see butterflies drop by to top up their energy levels before hibernation.
6. Holly and Ivy
The traditionally festive foliage of these two plants provides great natural habitat as well as lots of free, seasonal decorative material for your home that can easily be recycled afterwards.
The prickly evergreen leaves of holly not only look attractive to us but also offer a safe nest site for a variety of smaller birds which don’t seem to be at all phased by the thorns. Finches, sparrows and dunnocks are often seen popping in and out. If you have a female variety of holly, birds will also enjoy feasting on the juicy red berries when there’s little other food around.
Although ivy is often seen climbing up walls, it can also be grown in beds or pots to climb up some supporting canes and eventually form a dense shelter for the birds to nestle in. Try to save any pruning for springtime, especially if your ivy produces late autumn flowers that the butterflies and bees love and a winter feast of rich black berries for the birds to enjoy. Many different types of birds, butterflies, small mammals and even bats will choose to use ivy as their winter residence.
7. Spring Flowers
Some of the best wildlife friendly garden advice that I’ve been given is to have a least one plant that flowers in each month of the year. You can research this, or perhaps even just use it as an excuse to have a wander round a different garden centre, nursery or plant fair each month to select what’s in bloom - I like to choose the ones serving the best coffee and cake!
In my garden, hellebores are flowering in December and snowdrops are usually the first flowers to appear in the new year with crocus following not too far behind, with a welcome splash of colour in late February. There are few food options around at this time of year so they’re all really valuable as a source of nectar for any pollinators that have woken up early from hibernation during unusually warm weather. Adding some snowdrop and crocus bulbs to any container planting in a layered ‘lasagne’ style will not only brighten up your outside space but also be a lifeline to any hungry pollinators.
8. Plant a Tree
If you have space, planting a small tree or shrub that’s native to the UK can be a great way to provide longer term, all round support to your wildlife visitors. If not, perhaps there’s a community space near to you that would grant permission.
The ideal time for planting is between November and March, avoiding periods when the ground is frozen. Most that are suitable for an average size garden or patio pot can be a great resource for wildlife too. Any that provide nectar rich flowers, berries, fruits or nuts are perfect choices. Some good, managable examples include holly, crab apples, hazel, rowan and blackthorn but if you have a larger garden then you may also want to consider the merits of wild cherry, oak, hawthorn or even silver birch, the latter of which the Woodland Trust advises can support up to 300 different species with food and shelter, which is hugely impressive.
I hope I've inspired you to try at least one thing this winter, you'll have to let me know what new wildlife visitors you spot as a result.
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