Through Autumn and Winter, it can difficult for our local wildlife to source food and water, especially if there's land redevelopment on their habitat. Here are a few ways the Sussex Wildlife Trust advise you can help your wildlife neighbours.
Autumn
• Keep feeding hungry bees and butterflies with late-flowering plants like Ivy, Fuschia and Michaelmas Daisies.
• Provide natural food for birds and small mammals by letting seed heads form on flowering plants, and allow hedgerows to fruit before trimming them (if necessary).
• Provide hibernation habitats: Dead stems provide valuable shelter for overwintering ladybirds and other insects, while piles of leaves, areas of long grass and stacked logs may be used by hedgehogs and amphibians.
• Just add water: A pond is probably the most valuable feature in any wildlife garden. It doesn’t have to be large or deep to attract a wide range of wildlife, and a new pond will be colonised rapidly - digging one now will help it establish ready for spring.
Winter
• Plant a native hedgerow to provide birds and small mammals with shelter, nesting opportunities and a winter buffet of berries. Include a mix of elder, hawthorn, blackthorn, wild rose, crab apple, holly and hazel.
• Feed the birds: It takes a lot of energy for small birds to keep themselves warm, so providing plenty of high-calorie options like peanuts and suet blocks is wel meal. Blackbirds and thrushes will welcome halved apples and soaked raisins.
• Provide fresh water: When it’s cold enough to freeze, fresh water is locked away under the ice. A small dish or birdbath will be appreciated by a wide range of thirsty wildlife – remember to keep it topped up and remove or thaw out any ice that forms.
• Put up a nest box ready for spring: Choose one made of thick wood or Woodcrete so that it’s waterproof and well insulated, and position it in a sheltered location.
If you want to help birds and enjoy feeding them did you know that buying your bird seed from Vine House Farm you automatically trigger a donation (at no extra cost to yourself) to your own local wildlife trust wherever you live in the country. Visit: www.vinehousefarm.co.uk
If you would like to read the full INSIGHT article on Wildlife Spotting in Autumn and Winter, please click here.