As the temperature dives and the nights roll in thick and dark, winter is truly upon us. I in fact write this as snow falls outside the window beside me. As I’m lucky enough to be part of a species that have built shelters, invented blankets and harnessed fire, I am able to exist comfortably until spring. But what about the other fauna we share Britain with? Unless I’m to believe Wind In The Willows is factual and animals live in tree homes and wear clothes; how do they cope?
It is partly our duty as the clever bipeds we are, to give a helping hand to our fellow creatures. Balancing useful with non disruptive assistance we’ll look at what we can do this winter and those beyond.
Sheltered by doing nothing! (Sort of)
A true battle for animals in winter is keeping warm in the bitterly cold temperatures. It takes vast amounts of energy to stay warm in a time where food is scarce. A major way to assist with this is the creation of shelters, which takes less skill than you may think.
Those of a more hands-on arts and craft persuasion can take time to create a bird house or log shelter. Whilst the former may cost more and take a level of skill, the former is a very simple structure. Those pruning and preening their gardens for winter can take those offcuts and provide shelter for smaller species. Newts, toads, beetles, bees and other insects find home between the rotting wood which also acts as an excellent food source for birds.
Not everyone has the time or funds to put together such structures, which is understandable. These next solutions may be just the thing for you! Do nothing… Okay, it’s a little bit more complex than that.
Whilst we want our gardens to look neat and organised, leaving it alone in winter is a great benefit to wildlife. Fallen leaves provide excellent shelter for mammals and insects alike. Hedgehogs and dormice will curl up in auburn and browning piles to hibernate. Insects will feast on the decomposing plant matter which provides extra food for birds. Over the winter leaf piles become vibrant busy, albeit sleepy, ecosystems. Not to mention they create nutrient rich soil when left to decompose, so it’s a win win.
Leaving your compost alone over the season will additionally aid wildlife. You can still add to it, but turning it may disturb hibernating wildlife and cool the temperature. Disrupting hibernation can be seriously damaging or even lethal, so it’s best to avoid.
Christmas Dinner (with extra berries and river water)
Winter is harsh and barren in comparison to spring and summer. The lack of plentiful food is a primary reason for why certain animals hibernate. So whilst we can’t feed wildlife a roast dinner and Christmas pudding, as dormice cannot have gravy and hedgehogs cannot eat raisins, there is plenty we can do.
Keeping bird tables and bird feeders plentiful over this time will provide an invaluable food source. Fat balls and sunflower seeds, to name just two, provide necessary protein and carbohydrates. Previously mentioned steps that encourage bugs will also greatly benefit birds. Warning, this will invite unintended guests such as pigeons, squirrels and rats. But in a harsh period, all wildlife should be welcome at the table. In a metaphorical way of course, I don’t think I’d be thrilled if I found a rat chowing down on the stuffing. Well, as long as he washes his hands first…
Perhaps an often forgotten aspect is access to drinkable water. Cold snaps will freeze standing water to ice and diminish animals’ water options. Being mindful to break ice coverings in your garden or out and about can be vital to survival in winter. However, be sure to break larger bodies of water gently, such as ponds, as not to harm the wildlife within.
A two pronged solution is planting and cultivating a hedge. It’s too late to throw one up for this winter period, but it doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead. Not only does it provide shelter but specific hedges will bear fruits in hardy cold conditions. A hedgerow can be home to hundreds of species which truly highlights how they are havens for life. Great green cathedrals of the ecosystem.
The Hardy Boys
Not every animal needs much assistance over the colder months. Polar Bears and Penguins are kings of the frozen, but they’re also not native to Britain. A good job, as I think I’d be a touch more nervous allowing my dog out to the toilet.
The Exmoor Pony are the closest living relatives to the original European wild horses. Not only have they been about since the last ice age, they are perfectly built for the cold. As previously stated a lot of energy is exerted trying to keep warm. This is where the Exmoor Ponies tough digestive system comes into play. Able to process the rough vegetation of their stomping ground, fuels them through the wintertime. Additionally they develop a thick extra layer of hair to shield them from the wind. Truly a mighty steed.
Wasps, the plight of picnics and one of the most tenacious insects out there. During the autumn many wasps die off as resources diminish. The Queen makes it her royal duty to ensure the survival of the species. Bedding down and enduring the worst, they emerge in the spring to found new colonies. It is truly queen behaviour.
Ptarmigan are funny little birds. Cute, most certainly, but with a call that sounds like an angry old squeaky toy, they are moulded for winter. Living exclusively in the Scottish Highlands, as the temperature plummets, they turn white and carry on. Feathered feet prevent heat loss and act as very convenient snazzy snow shoes. They will bury themselves in snow to create a little bunker until the worst of the weather passes. An expert of colder climates.
Be Curious!
- If you want to know more about where animals go during the winter, the natural history museum discusses the habits of reptiles, mammals and birds.
- Christmas can be a wasteful time in terms of food. So making eco-friendly sustainable choices is important.
- This extends to presents, decorations and general festivities. Enjoy the season and make a kinder impact on the planet.
- Bird Flu may seem like a very contained local issue at times, but Penguins can get it too!
- If you are interested in all things cold, these discoveries in the Arctic will interest you greatly.
