Now that the temperature is really starting to drop, there are lots of things we can do to help wildlife to overwinter until Spring.
Resist tidying up too much!
The trees in November are full of autumn colour as they shed their leaves for the winter. Whilst it’s very tempting remove all the fallen leaves from your garden, raking the leaves into piles in corners or under shrubs will keep your garden tidy but still help wildlife. Leaf piles create shelter for insects, amphibians and small mammals, providing a warm and safe place for hibernating creatures. Decomposing leaves also enrich the soil naturally.
Fallen fruit like apples or pears left on the ground, provide a tasty snack for birds, squirrels and other wildlife.
Keep bird baths and feeders topped up
As temperatures plummet, birds use a lot of energy to keep warm and food becomes difficult to find. Putting out nuts, seeds and other energy-rich food can be a welcome extra meal in leaner times. Bird baths can be a lifeline too when other water sources may have frozen over - help keep yours ice-free by floating a small ball on the surface to disturb the formation of ice sheets.
Helping frogs in the winter
Male frogs often spend winter in the muddy depths of ponds, breathing through their skin. But if the pond freezes over, gases caused by decaying plant material can get trapped and poison them. Remove debris from ponds now, and float a tennis or golf ball on the surface to prevent ice from sealing it.
Leave Dead Stems and Seed Heads
Hollow stems and seed heads provide places for insects to hibernate and lay eggs. Avoid cutting back perennials until spring as these also provide valuable shelter for insects and pollinators.
Native berry producing shrubs like holly and cotoneaster also provide food for birds and insects alike.
Build a bug hotel
As the weather turns cooler, give minibeasts like bees, ladybirds and spiders a safe and cosy space to shelter with a bug hotel. Autumn is a great time to find lots of natural materials for your construction too, including pine cones, dried twigs and fallen leaves. They don’t have to take up much room - try your hand at one of our ideas, from a log pile lodge to a pinecone palace.
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