Helping Garden Wildlife Through Winter

Winter is one of the harder seasons for garden wildlife. Natural food becomes scarce, cold weakens smaller animals quickly, and many species rely on undisturbed shelter to see them through to spring rather than active foraging.

A garden pond, even a small one, is one of the most valuable additions for wildlife. Frogs and newts use it to breed, dragonflies and damselflies lay eggs in it, and birds and hedgehogs will drink and bathe at the edges given the chance.

Hedgehogs are one of the most recognisable mammals to visit British gardens after dark, often covering a surprising distance, sometimes a mile or more, over a single night as they forage. A garden that offers a route in, something to eat and somewhere quiet to rest is far more likely to see repeat visits than one that is sealed off and tidied within an inch of its life.

Placement decides whether the house gets used at all. A fixed position at around waist to head height, facing south or south-east to catch the morning sun, and sheltered from driving rain and strong wind, gives insects the stable conditions they need. Once occupied, the house is best left undisturbed through the nesting and overwintering period.

Fish are worth thinking through carefully. Ornamental fish will happily eat frogspawn and tadpoles, so a pond intended mainly for amphibians is usually better left fish-free. Leaving some leaf litter to settle at the bottom over autumn also gives amphibians a place to shelter through the colder months.

Shelter matters as much as food. A quiet, shaded corner away from foot traffic and pets, ideally backed onto a hedge or https://www.gardenwildlife.com shrub border, is the right spot for a dedicated shelter. Gardeners setting one up for the first time often start by browsing hedgehog houses to see the range of designs suited to different garden sizes.