As winter deepens across Europe, December becomes a crucial month for garden wildlife. The cold temperatures, shortened days, and scarcity of food can make survival challenging for many species. However, with thoughtful planning and a few simple actions, you can transform your garden into a haven for wildlife during the winter months. This guide will explore how to care for garden wildlife in December, providing essential support and preparation tips to help birds, mammals, insects, and other creatures thrive through the colder season.
Understanding the Needs of Wildlife in December
December is a month of adaptation and survival for garden wildlife. As the weather becomes more severe, animals need additional resources to sustain themselves. Understanding the specific challenges they face is the first step in providing effective support.
The Impact of Cold Weather on Wildlife
Cold weather significantly impacts garden wildlife, affecting their behavior, physiology, and daily routines. Many species must find ways to conserve energy, stay warm, and access limited food supplies.
Energy Conservation
To survive the cold, many animals reduce their activity levels, conserving energy for essential functions. This often involves hibernation or torpor, where animals enter a state of reduced metabolic activity.
- Hibernation: Some mammals, such as hedgehogs and bats, hibernate during the winter. They lower their body temperature and slow their metabolism to conserve energy, relying on fat reserves built up during the warmer months.
- Torpor: Birds like robins and wrens may enter a state of torpor, where they lower their body temperature at night to save energy. However, they must rewarm themselves during the day, which requires access to food.
Staying Warm
Finding adequate shelter is essential for wildlife to stay warm during the winter. Animals seek out protected spaces that shield them from wind, rain, and snow.
- Shelter: Birds roost in dense shrubs, trees, or nest boxes to stay warm, while mammals seek out burrows, log piles, or hedgerows for protection.
- Insulation: Many animals grow thicker fur or feathers in winter, providing additional insulation against the cold.
Access to Food and Water
Food becomes scarce in December, and wildlife must expend more energy to find enough sustenance. Water sources can also freeze over, making hydration difficult.
- Food Scarcity: Insects are less active or dormant, reducing a key food source for birds and small mammals. Fruits, seeds, and nuts may also be depleted.
- Frozen Water: Natural water sources may freeze, limiting access to drinking water for birds and other wildlife.
The Importance of Garden Support
Your garden can play a vital role in supporting wildlife during December. By providing food, water, shelter, and protection from the cold, you help ensure the survival of many species that rely on gardens as a safe haven during winter.
Creating a Wildlife-Friendly Environment
A wildlife-friendly garden in December offers a variety of resources to meet the needs of different species. This involves leaving parts of the garden undisturbed, providing food and water, and creating habitats that offer shelter and protection.
- Diverse Habitats: A mix of trees, shrubs, grasses, and water features creates diverse habitats that can support a wide range of wildlife. Including native plants ensures that your garden provides the right food and shelter for local species.
- Minimal Disturbance: Avoiding heavy garden maintenance in certain areas, such as leaf litter or log piles, allows insects, amphibians, and small mammals to find undisturbed places to overwinter.
Providing Food and Water in December
One of the most critical aspects of caring for garden wildlife in December is ensuring they have access to sufficient food and water. With natural sources dwindling, supplementary feeding and thoughtful water management become essential.
1. Feeding Birds
Birds are among the most visible garden visitors in December, and they benefit greatly from supplementary feeding during the winter months.
A. Types of Bird Food
Different bird species have varying dietary needs, so offering a range of foods can attract and support a diverse array of birds.
- Seeds and Grains: Sunflower seeds, millet, and mixed birdseed are popular with many garden birds, including finches, sparrows, and tits.
- Nuts: Peanuts (unsalted) are a high-energy food, especially popular with woodpeckers, tits, and nuthatches.
- Fat Balls and Suet: These high-energy foods are ideal for winter, providing essential fats and calories. They are particularly favored by robins, starlings, and blackbirds.
- Mealworms: Dried or live mealworms are an excellent protein source, especially for insectivorous birds like robins and wrens.
B. Bird Feeder Placement and Maintenance
Proper placement and maintenance of bird feeders are crucial for ensuring that birds can safely and easily access food.
- Placement: Position feeders near shrubs or trees, providing birds with shelter and protection from predators while they eat. Ensure feeders are at a safe height from ground predators like cats.
- Maintenance: Clean feeders regularly to prevent the spread of disease. During wet or snowy weather, check feeders frequently to ensure the food remains dry and accessible.
2. Feeding Mammals
Mammals, such as hedgehogs, squirrels, and even deer, can also benefit from supplementary feeding in December, particularly when food is scarce.
A. Hedgehogs
If you have hedgehogs in your garden, providing food can help them fatten up before hibernation or sustain them if they wake during mild spells.
- Food Options: Offer wet or dry cat food, specifically chicken-based, and avoid bread and milk, which are harmful to hedgehogs. Specialist hedgehog food is also available.
- Feeding Stations: To prevent other animals from taking the food, place it in a hedgehog feeding station—a small box with a narrow entrance that only hedgehogs can access.
B. Squirrels
Squirrels remain active throughout winter and can struggle to find enough food. Offering nuts and seeds can help sustain them during December.
- Food Options: Provide unsalted peanuts, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds. Avoid giving them bread, as it lacks the necessary nutrients.
- Feeder Placement: Squirrel feeders should be placed high in trees or on a secure post. Ensure the feeder is squirrel-proof if you also want to prevent them from raiding bird feeders.
3. Providing Water
Water is just as important as food for wildlife, especially when natural sources freeze over. Ensuring a consistent water supply can make a significant difference in December.
A. Preventing Water from Freezing
In freezing temperatures, it’s essential to keep water sources accessible to wildlife.
- Bird Baths: Use a bird bath heater or place a floating object, like a small ball, in the water to prevent it from freezing completely. Refill bird baths with fresh, warm water each morning.
- Ground-Level Water: For ground-dwelling animals, provide shallow dishes of water in sheltered locations. Check these daily and replace frozen water with fresh supplies.
B. Creating a Safe Drinking Environment
Ensure that the water sources in your garden are safe and accessible to all wildlife.
- Shallow Dishes: Use shallow dishes for water to prevent small animals and birds from drowning. Add a few stones or pebbles to the dish to provide perches.
- Location: Place water sources near cover, such as shrubs or tall grasses, to offer protection from predators while wildlife drinks.
Creating Shelter and Habitats
Providing adequate shelter is vital for helping wildlife survive the harsh conditions of December. By creating or enhancing habitats, you can offer a safe haven for animals, birds, and insects.
1. Providing Bird and Bat Boxes
Bird and bat boxes offer much-needed shelter during the winter, providing roosting and hibernation sites that protect these creatures from the elements.
A. Bird Boxes
Bird boxes are essential for species that don’t migrate and need a safe place to roost during the cold months.
- Placement: Install bird boxes on trees or walls, facing away from prevailing winds. Ensure they are placed at least 2 meters above ground to avoid predators.
- Insulation: Add a layer of dried leaves or straw inside the box to help insulate it. Ensure that the box is clean and free of parasites before the winter season.
B. Bat Boxes
Bats hibernate in winter, and a bat box can provide a secure place for them to do so, especially in areas where natural roosts are scarce.
- Placement: Place bat boxes high on trees or buildings, ideally in a location that receives some sunlight during the day to help maintain a stable temperature inside.
- Protection: Ensure that bat boxes are placed away from artificial light sources, as bats prefer dark, quiet areas for hibernation.
2. Creating Hibernation Spots for Mammals
Mammals like hedgehogs, dormice, and even frogs need safe, undisturbed places to hibernate. You can create these spots in your garden with minimal effort.
A. Hedgehog Houses
Hedgehogs are declining in many parts of Europe, and providing a dedicated hibernation house can help them survive the winter.
- Construction: Build or buy a hedgehog house with a small entrance that keeps out larger predators. The house should be well-insulated with leaves or straw inside.
- Placement: Place the house in a quiet, sheltered part of the garden, away from foot traffic and potential disturbances. Under a thick hedge or near a compost heap is ideal.
B. Log Piles and Leaf Litter
Log piles and leaf litter are natural shelters that can provide hibernation sites for a variety of wildlife, including insects, amphibians, and small mammals.
- Creating a Log Pile: Stack logs of different sizes in a shady, undisturbed corner of the garden. The gaps between the logs create microhabitats for different species.
- Leaf Litter: Leave fallen leaves in garden beds, under shrubs, or in a designated area to create a habitat for insects, frogs, and other small creatures. Leaf litter also acts as mulch, benefiting your garden plants.
3. Maintaining Wildlife Stacks and Bug Hotels
Wildlife stacks and bug hotels offer refuge for insects and other small creatures during the winter. These structures can be easily made from natural materials found in your garden.
A. Wildlife Stacks
Wildlife stacks, also known as hibernacula, are piles of logs, stones, and other natural materials that provide shelter for a variety of wildlife.
- Materials: Use a mix of logs, branches, stones, leaves, and straw to create the stack. Include hollow stems, such as bamboo, to provide nesting spots for solitary bees.
- Location: Place the wildlife stack in a quiet, undisturbed area of the garden, preferably in partial shade. This ensures it remains cool and sheltered.
B. Bug Hotels
Bug hotels are specifically designed to attract beneficial insects like ladybirds, lacewings, and solitary bees, which need shelter during the winter.
- Construction: Build a bug hotel using layers of different materials, such as wood, straw, pine cones, and hollow stems. You can repurpose an old wooden box or crate as the base.
- Placement: Place the bug hotel in a sheltered spot, ideally near flower beds or vegetable plots where the insects will be most beneficial come spring.
Protecting Your Garden Wildlife
In addition to providing food, water, and shelter, protecting your garden wildlife from potential threats is crucial during December.
1. Minimizing Disturbance
Wildlife needs undisturbed areas to rest, roost, or hibernate during the winter. Minimizing disturbances in your garden can help ensure their survival.
A. Reducing Noise and Activity
Keep noise and garden activity to a minimum in areas where wildlife is likely to be sheltering or hibernating.
- Quiet Zones: Designate certain parts of your garden as quiet zones, where you limit foot traffic and avoid loud noises. These areas should include places with dense vegetation, log piles, or other natural shelters.
- Avoid Heavy Pruning: Postpone heavy pruning or cutting back of plants in areas where wildlife may be hibernating or nesting, such as thick hedges or shrubbery.
B. Protecting Nesting Sites
Birds and other wildlife may begin to scout for nesting sites in late winter. Protecting these potential sites can encourage wildlife to return in the spring.
- Preserve Dead Wood: Dead wood in trees or on the ground provides important nesting sites for insects and birds. Leave dead trees standing where safe, and avoid removing logs or stumps unnecessarily.
- Nest Box Monitoring: If you have nest boxes, avoid disturbing them during December. While it’s important to clean them out before the nesting season, wait until early spring if you haven’t done so already.
2. Using Wildlife-Friendly Practices
Employing wildlife-friendly gardening practices can help reduce harm to the animals that visit your garden.
A. Avoiding Harmful Chemicals
Chemicals like pesticides and herbicides can be harmful to wildlife, particularly during the winter when food is scarce and animals are more vulnerable.
- Natural Alternatives: Use natural alternatives to chemical pesticides, such as neem oil or homemade garlic spray, to manage pests. Composting and mulching can help reduce the need for chemical herbicides.
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Employ IPM techniques that focus on long-term pest prevention through biological control, habitat manipulation, and the use of resistant plant varieties.
B. Providing Safe Feeding Practices
Ensure that the food you provide for wildlife is safe and nutritious, avoiding practices that could inadvertently harm them.
- Clean Feeding Areas: Regularly clean bird feeders and feeding stations to prevent the spread of diseases like salmonella. Rotate feeding locations to minimize the buildup of droppings and debris.
- Appropriate Food: Avoid feeding bread to birds, as it offers little nutritional value and can cause digestive issues. Instead, provide seeds, nuts, and suet that offer the fats and proteins birds need in winter.
3. Monitoring for Predators and Pests
Keep an eye on your garden for any signs of predators or pests that could threaten wildlife during December.
A. Domestic Pets
Pets, particularly cats, can pose a significant threat to garden birds and small mammals.
- Cat Deterrents: Use cat deterrents like motion-activated sprinklers or ultrasonic devices to keep cats away from areas where birds and small mammals are feeding or nesting.
- Pet Supervision: Keep your pets indoors or supervised during peak wildlife activity times, such as early morning and late afternoon.
B. Invasive Species
Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native wildlife for resources.
- Monitoring and Control: Monitor your garden for signs of invasive species, such as non-native plants or aggressive insect species. Take steps to control them through manual removal or by encouraging native predators.
Preparing Your Garden for Spring Wildlife
As December progresses, it’s also a good time to start thinking ahead to spring, ensuring that your garden will continue to support wildlife as the seasons change.
1. Planting for Early Spring Nectar
Winter is a great time to plan and plant for early spring flowers that will provide nectar for pollinators emerging from hibernation.
A. Choosing Early Bloomers
Select plants that bloom early in the spring, providing a vital food source for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
- Bulbs: Plant bulbs like crocuses, snowdrops, and winter aconites in the fall for early spring blooms. These flowers are among the first to provide nectar in the new year.
- Shrubs: Consider planting shrubs like witch hazel or forsythia, which flower in late winter or early spring, offering nectar when little else is available.
B. Planting in Clusters
Plant early bloomers in clusters to make it easier for pollinators to find and feed from multiple flowers in one area.
- Flower Beds and Borders: Group plants together in flower beds and borders to create a concentrated source of nectar. This also enhances the visual impact of your garden.
- Container Gardens: Use containers to add early spring blooms to patios, balconies, or other small spaces, ensuring that even compact gardens can support pollinators.
2. Preparing Nesting Materials
Encouraging wildlife to return to your garden in the spring involves preparing nesting materials that they can use when building their nests.
A. Providing Natural Materials
Natural nesting materials like twigs, leaves, and moss can be left in accessible places for birds and small mammals to use.
- Nesting Piles: Create small piles of twigs, straw, and leaves in sheltered areas of your garden. Birds and mammals will use these materials to line their nests in the spring.
- Garden Debris: Leave some garden debris, such as dead plant stems or fallen leaves, untouched until spring. This material provides both cover and nesting materials for wildlife.
B. Installing Nesting Boxes
Ensure that nesting boxes are clean and ready for use when birds start looking for suitable sites in late winter and early spring.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Clean out nesting boxes in December if you haven’t done so already. Remove old nesting material and disinfect the box to reduce the risk of parasites.
- Placement: Reinstall cleaned nesting boxes in appropriate locations, ensuring they are secure and positioned away from predators and harsh weather conditions.
3. Planning for Wildlife-Friendly Gardens
Use the winter months to plan changes or improvements to your garden that will benefit wildlife in the coming year.
A. Designing for Diversity
A diverse garden supports a wider range of wildlife by providing varied habitats, food sources, and shelter options.
- Plant Variety: Include a mix of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals in your garden design to attract different species of wildlife. Native plants are particularly important, as they are adapted to the local ecosystem.
- Water Features: Consider adding a small pond or water feature to your garden, which can support amphibians, insects, and birds. Ensure that the feature is wildlife-friendly, with shallow edges and safe access points.
B. Building Wildlife Corridors
Wildlife corridors allow animals to move safely between different parts of the garden and neighboring habitats.
- Hedges and Shrub Borders: Plant hedges or dense shrub borders to create safe passageways for wildlife. These corridors can connect different areas of your garden, providing cover and food along the way.
- Fencing Solutions: Modify garden fences to include gaps or raised sections that allow small mammals like hedgehogs to move freely between gardens.
Conclusion
Caring for garden wildlife in December involves a combination of support and preparation, ensuring that your garden provides the essential resources needed for survival during the harsh winter months. By offering food, water, shelter, and protection, you can help sustain the birds, mammals, insects, and other creatures that rely on your garden as a safe haven. As you prepare for the colder months, also consider planning for spring, ensuring that your garden continues to support and attract wildlife throughout the year. With these strategies, your garden can become a thriving ecosystem, full of life even in the depths of winter.
