{"id":126,"date":"2021-12-09T16:00:22","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T15:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/?p=8153"},"modified":"2021-12-09T16:53:14","modified_gmt":"2021-12-09T15:53:14","slug":"5-ways-you-can-help-wildlife-this-winter","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/5-ways-you-can-help-wildlife-this-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"5 ways you can help wildlife this winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Megan Shersby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 09 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Winter can be a very difficult time for wildlife, with plummeting temperatures and scarce food. Find out how you can help your local wildlife survive through this tough period.<\/p>

1<\/span>

Let your garden go wild<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Leave undisturbed wild areas in your garden \u2013 piles of leaves or brushwood can make the perfect nest in which animals can hide, rest and hibernate. By leaving\u00a0the task of tidying your garden borders and shrubs until early spring, shelter can be provided for insects throughout\u00a0winter.<\/p>\n

If you have a compost heap<\/a>, this will become\u00a0a welcome\u00a0habitat for toads, and even\u00a0grass snakes and slow-worms.<\/p>\n

\""Slow\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A harmless slow worm on a compost heap. \u00a9 Robin Bush\/Getty<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
2<\/span>

Break the ice<\/h3>\n<\/div>

If your garden pond freezes over, ensure you make a hole in the ice. Toxic gases can build up in the water of a frozen pond, which may kill any fish or frogs that are hibernating at the bottom.<\/p>\n

When you make a hole in the ice, it is very important to do so by carefully placing a pan of hot water on the surface.<\/p>\n

Never\u00a0break the ice\u00a0with force or tip boiling water onto the pond, as this can harm or even kill any fish that live in it.<\/p>\n

\""Young\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
This fox might be happy with a frozen pond, but it\u2019s bad news for the little creatures below the ice. \u00a9 Bertie Gregory\/Nature Picture Library\/Getty<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
3<\/span>

Feed the birds<\/h3>\n<\/div>

Birds may find it difficult to\u00a0find natural foods such as berries, insects, seeds, worms and fruit during this cold season.\u00a0Therefore, any extra food you can put out\u00a0will help.<\/p>\n

Provide\u00a0a range of seeds, fresh unsalted peanuts and table scraps (cheese and fruits such as apples and pears.)\u00a0Garden birds also love dried mealworms or waxworms, which can be bought from bird food suppliers.<\/p>\n

As the cold season approaches and natural food supplies begin to dwindle, resident British birds and winter visitors start to rely even more on the food you put out in your garden.<\/p>\n

Check out our guide to feeding your garden birds<\/a>, including which types of feed are best for different species.<\/p>\n

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4<\/span>

Provide fresh water<\/h3>\n<\/div>

When the temperatures drop below zero, finding clean fresh water to drink can be difficult for wildlife. You can help by leaving some out for them. It is best to provide fresh water each night in a shallow bowl. Don\u2019t add anything to stop the water freezing, and change the water every day to ensure it\u2019s fresh.<\/p>\n

\""Blackbird\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Blackbird having a bath. \u00a9 scooperdigital\/Getty<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
5<\/span>

Attract garden visitors with good food<\/h3>\n<\/div>

When food is scarce, putting out a small amount\u00a0of an appropriate treat\u00a0will help to see\u00a0the mammals visiting your garden\u00a0through the winter.<\/p>\n

For foxes:<\/strong> Put out cheese, boiled potatoes, chicken carcasses, bread and fat scraps at dusk.<\/p>\n

For squirrels: <\/strong>Squirrels do not hibernate,\u00a0instead they cache food during autumn\u00a0to eat when food is scarce. Offer them nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds, plus some chopped apple, beans, carrots or spinach.<\/p>\n

For badgers:<\/strong>\u00a0Badgers have a tough time finding their favourite food \u2013 earthworms \u2013 when the ground is frozen. Provide them with\u00a0lightly cooked meats, cheese, peanuts and fruit.<\/p>\n

For hedgehogs:<\/strong> Minced meat, fresh liver, tinned dog food (not fish based), or even scrambled eggs appeal to these prickly creatures. Be aware \u2013 hedgehogs like milk but it may cause severe diarrhoea in youngsters. It is best to provide fresh water each night in a shallow bowl.<\/p>\n

Do not\u00a0leave out large quantities of food each evening to avoid your guests becoming\u00a0dependent on handouts.<\/p>\n

It is also not advisable to provide food if it encourages wildlife to cross a busy road.<\/p>\n

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