How to Protect and Appreciate Our Cold-Weather Companions

As winter blankets the United Kingdom with frost and chill, it's easy to assume that wildlife retreats into hiding. However, this is far from the truth. The UK's winter landscape is home to a range of resilient and hardy wild animals. In this blog, we'll explore some of the remarkable creatures you can spot during a UK winter and discuss what we can do to help protect and support them.

• Hedgehogs: Hedgehogs are one of the UK's most beloved mammals. During the winter, they hibernate to conserve energy. To aid hedgehogs, create hedgehog-friendly gardens by providing access through small holes in fences, leaving food and water out, and avoiding harmful garden chemicals.
• Birds: Winter sees the arrival of migratory birds like redwings and fieldfares. These birds rely on food sources in the UK during the colder months. We can help them by putting out bird feeders stocked with seeds, nuts, and suet balls.

• Foxes: Urban foxes are a common sight in the UK's towns and cities. During winter, they face food scarcity. Leave out food scraps, but be mindful not to overfeed, as this can create dependency.
• Badgers: Badgers are known for their winter sleep, but they occasionally wake to forage for food. Providing supplementary food, such as unsalted peanuts or fruit, can be a lifeline for these nocturnal creatures.

• Grey Squirrels: Grey squirrels are active year-round. To help them through the winter, place squirrel feeders filled with nuts and seeds in your garden.
• Waterfowl: Many waterfowl, including swans, ducks, and geese, spend winter in the UK. You can help by avoiding feeding them bread, which is nutritionally poor. Opt for grains like corn, oats, or peas instead.

The UK's winter wildlife is a testament to nature's resilience. While these animals adapt to the challenges of the colder months, we too can play a role in supporting them. Creating wildlife-friendly spaces, offering supplementary food, and avoiding harmful practices are small but impactful ways to ensure that our wild companions thrive during the winter. At Indoor Outdoors we provide a wide array of items to help with keeping our winter animals going. As you venture outdoors to observe and appreciate these creatures, remember that our actions can make a significant difference in their survival and well-being. Winter is a season of both challenges and opportunities for wildlife, and together, we can help ensure that they continue to grace our landscapes with their presence.