Winter wildlife
As short life cycles end and hibernation begins, winter can seem a sparse and lifeless season - but there is still so much to see.
This is the season when most wildlife sleeps, ready to emerge and flourish in the spring. However, as some better equipped animals brave the colder weather and Britain receives visitors from further afield, you can still spot signs of life.
Insects
Due to their short life cycles, insects and minibeasts can be quite rare throughout winter. This is because they often die at the end of summer, after laying their eggs. Their eggs, larvae or pupae then spend most of winter tucked away in seclusion, waiting to emerge and continue their life cycle. Most female spiders for example will lay their eggs in the autumn then die, with their offspring hatching in the spring.
However, other invertebrates such as caterpillars, slugs, snails, and ladybirds will overwinter in secluded areas. Overwintering is a form of hibernation where insects tuck themselves away and lie dormant until it’s warm enough to emerge again. During unseasonably warm winter days you may see certain species venturing out, but for the most part you can find these insects nestling under damp logs and foliage, stones or in tree hollows.
Birds
Winter is a time when Britain receives a lot of migrant birds, so keep an eye out for species such as redwings, starlings, fieldfares and bramblings, which flock here from northern climes. They come to escape the freezing arctic temperatures, as our winters are positively mild by comparison. Keen bird watchers should also be on the lookout for wading birds like avocets, brent geese and black-tailed godwits.
For those less experienced bird spotters, the familiar robin is a staple of British winter time - often associated with Christmas and snowy, wintry scenes. If you appear to have robin redbreasts frequenting your garden, it’s likely that it’s the same bird that’s visiting. This is because robins are hugely territorial, and actually quite aggressive towards other robins.
Winter can be a very difficult time for birds, as insects and berries are scarce and bitterly cold climates can freeze their water supplies. Give the birds in your garden a helping hand by leaving out a bowl of water that they can use as a bath, and hang a bird feeder to supplement their scarce food supplies. In very cold temperatures remember to check the water regularly to make sure it hasn’t frozen over.
Mammals
Whilst most mammals go into hibernation, it’s still possible to catch a glimpse of those animals that don’t sleep for the whole winter.
Hedgehogs and bats for example will emerge on warmer days to look for food or water, and will also wake up if temperatures drop too low, in order to keep their body heat above freezing. Past unseasonably warm winters have proved to be quite a hazard for hedgehogs, causing them to emerge early and then die from lack of food or sudden ensuing cold snaps.
You can help out by leaving water and food in the garden. Hedgehogs will eat tinned cat or dog food (no fish flavours), sultanas, raisins, and chopped, unsalted peanuts that come in bird feeders. Bread and cow’s milk should be avoided as this makes them very ill. If you can help it, you should also avoid tidying up your garden too much – piles of leaves and logs make great hibernation spots for hedgehogs.
Foxes don’t hibernate during winter either, growing a thick coat to help them survive the cold weather. Due to loss of habitat, foxes are increasingly moving into urban areas, so there’s a good chance of spotting these animals scavenging for food in your garden. Red foxes will eat almost anything, feeding on the majority of people’s leftovers, especially meat. You can still leave food out to help them during winter, although to avoid attracting rats you may want to leave out cat or dog food as opposed to leftovers. Again, it is always a good idea to leave a dish of water out as well.
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