As the nights are getting longer, and the days are becoming colder – it’s time to think about all the wildlife braving the cold. So while you’re tucking into your Christmas pudding, give nature a thought in your own back garden. There are simple ways you can help wildlife during the festive season, and give nature a home…
Dead and rotting wood provides a home for an array of life. Whether that’s fungi, mosses and creepy crawlies. Over time the bugs and beasties will chomp on all that wood and make a home, in their own “Bug Hotel”! So whenever you’re out and about in your garden, add your pruning’s to the pile – and don’t be too tidy! Over winter the bug hotel will become home to beneficial insects, such as the ladybird. These green-fly eating machines can eat up-to 100 per day! Did you know, there are 46 different species in the UK – how many can you spot?
Another step you can take is feeding the birds during the winter. During the colder months birds often flock to garden feeders in search for food. If you’re really lucky you might even see our winter migrants, redwings and fieldfares! Ideal foods are: sunflower hearts; seed mixes; suet pellets and apples. Visit our RSPB shop for our complete range http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/ During these frosty months it is particularly important to make sure birds have fresh clean water too. Apples are a particular favourite for starlings! The starling is a common bird to gardens with its short tail and pointed head. They usually feed in flocks and are very noisy around feeders! See if you can spot one in your garden…
Fieldfare by Kaleel Zibe (RSPB Images)
You might notice that during the winter, bumblebees are not active. But what has happened to them? In spring and summer bumblebees live in what’s called a colony. A colony is like one big home where the queen lives and produces the offspring. But as winter approaches, and the wildflowers begin to fade – the colony dies along with the queen. However during the end of summer the queen produces, new queens ready for spring. These new queens also hibernate much like hedgehogs. They will then seek a suitable hibernation site which can be in north facing banks beneath the bark of rotting trees or underground in open grasslands.
Some animals during the winter months don’t brave the cold like most of us. Instead they prefer to stay dry and snug – and sleep though until spring! By building a wildlife shelter in your own garden you can help species such as the hedgehog. At this time of year hedgehogs will be a kind of “sleeping state” (known as hibernation). So they need a dry, cosy place – a brash pile is ideal. Hedgehogs are the only British mammal with spines. They aren’t fussy about food either, eating an array of food such as: worms; slugs and frogs. Did you know – a baby hedgehog is called is hoglet. If you build a shelter, keep an eye out at night – they will come…
Hedgehog by Ben Hall (RSPB Images)
So while your unwrapping your Christmas presents – and wondering why you have managed to get another pair of socks. Give nature a thought and take some simple steps to give nature a home this Christmas. Visit http://homes.rspb.org.uk/ for more tips and information. Still don’t know what to get someone for Christmas? Why not give a gift that lasts all year round – become a member of the RSPB. Pop into our reserve and ask our friendly staff about membership. Or visit us at Trentham Gardens – we are there on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December!
When you have realised you shouldn't of had that last mince pie, take a look out the window – and see what you discover..!