10 ways to help wildlife in winter

Winter feels like a quieter time in nature. Lower temperatures and less daylight make a lot of wildlife less active, but many species are still easy to spot and will appreciate a helping hand in chilly conditions. From practical activities in your garden or community to the comfort of your armchair, check out our 10 top tips to make a difference this season.

1. Plant a hedge  

Winter is tree planting season and if you have the space, creating a mixed hedge or shrubby border of native species can make an enormous difference for wildlife. Plants will offer vital shelter from the elements, dense, spiny branches are great nesting spots and abundant flowers and berries will feed all manner of bees, butterflies, birds and more.  

Supply a smorgasbord for most of the year by selecting species carefully. Blackthorn and hawthorn are great choices for early spring blossom. Good options to provide pollen, nectar and fruits for late spring through to autumn include dog rose, field maple, guelder rose, dogwood, bramble, wild honeysuckle and common ivy. Many of the berries, including those of blackthorn and hawthorn, will last well into winter. 

2. Help birds find a home 

The spring breeding season is just around the corner and as soon as the new year dawns, birds will be scouting for homes to raise their chicks. Winter is a good time to give existing nest boxes a good clean in preparation, or to put up new ones. 

3. Leave seedheads standing 

As plants die back, delay the traditional garden tidy up and choose to leave some of the seedheads standing. The seeds will provide food for birds and small mammals, and hollow stems and intricate seedheads are valuable shelter for overwintering insects like ladybirds. They’ll add structure and interest to your outdoor space for winter too, with common plants like angelica and sea holly looking as stunning dusted with frost as they do in flower. Alternatively, cut stems back and leave small piles in quieter areas. 

4. Avoid turning the compost heap 

Turning your compost won’t hurt wildlife, but it will disturb any hibernating slow worms, frogs or hedgehogs from their winter slumber. Moving compost around in cold conditions will lose some of that all-important heat needed for decomposition too, so it’s best for everyone to wait until spring when the weather warms up and any residents have moved on. 

5. Monitor hedgehog feeding stations 

Hedgehogs can hibernate from around October to April, but may still be out and about in early winter if conditions are mild. They may also wake up for brief periods to search for food as fat reserves deplete, especially if they were born later in the year, so it’s worth leaving some food undercover at all times. A bowl of cat biscuits will stay dry and edible for at least a week.  

6. Buy charitable gifts 

Help wildlife from the comfort of your armchair by shopping for Christmas, birthdays or other special occasions with organisations that use the proceeds for good causes. From dedications and virtual gifts to wildlife habitats and nature-themed kitchenware, every purchase from our shop funds our vital work to plant and protect trees for wildlife and people. 

7. Thaw icy waters 

When temperatures drop, remedy frozen bird baths whenever possible so wildlife can access drinking and bathing water. When surfaces freeze, defrost them by carefully pouring warm water over them – but not boiling water as containers could crack. For ponds, try floating a ball in the water to maintain an airhole for frogs and newts that may be hibernating in the depths.  

8. Make a toad abode 

Toads don’t hibernate in winter but spend most of their time burrowed into mud or compost to conserve energy, emerging to forage during milder spells. Give them a ready-made shelter with a large, upturned plant pot in a shady spot. Place it upside down over soft soil with one edge propped up for toads to crawl under and burrow, or lay the pot on its side and half fill it with soil, moss or leaves. 

9. Feed the birds  

As temperatures plummet and food becomes difficult to find, a helping hand can make all the difference for birds. Keep tables and hanging feeders topped up with calorie-rich supplies like fat balls, peanuts and sunflower hearts to help them replenish the extra energy they use to keep warm. 

Plan ahead for future winters by planting a tree and letting nature provide. It’s the perfect time to plant and one of the most satisfying and hassle-free ways to offer valuable food and shelter for a whole host of wildlife.  

10. Become a member 

Help us create healthy habitats for wildlife all year round by becoming a member from just £4 a month. There’s no better way to support our work and you’ll be joining a movement of more than 300,000 like-minded people.