You & Your Pet

HOW TO HELP WINTER WILDLIFE

As the winter creeps in and the hours in our days become darker, the idea of going outside seems less appealing – our wildlife have no choice but to adapt and continue with their daily activities in the outdoors.

We can help them get through these gruelling winter months in a variety of ways. Finding out what small creatures may be residing in your area is a great place to start.

Hedgehogs

Some of our furry friends will be hibernating but that doesn’t mean they have disappeared. Hedgehogs love an unkempt garden and can often be found hiding under piles of leaves, compost heaps, bonfires, parks, sheds or cemeteries.

Although hedgehogs are one small animal that is known for going into hibernation, these spiky creatures have been known to wander when you would least expect them to. Reasons hedgehogs may awaken might be because their nesting spot has become too cold or they may simply just need to reposition themselves in their nest.

If there are suspicions of a spiky resident, leaving out fresh water and small portions of hedgehog food should help any winter wanderers. If you have room in your garden why not purchase a hedgehog house or create your own? This may encourage them to come back to the same spot the following year.

Wild Birds

You may begin to notice your gardens are becoming a little quieter but they are certainly not still. With flocks of birds

arriving from the Arctic and Northern Europe they will be needing energy and shelter to help them through the winter. Birds can be found anywhere from local fields, woodlands,

estuaries, gardens, lakes and as well as the coast. Nest boxes are great for creating a place for birds to take shelter during the winter, they will need to be cleaned out before their new occupants move in. Wondering what to feed wild birds in the winter? Fat balls are a perfect source of energy, supporting their metabolism throughout the colder months. Sunflower hearts are another great example of feed

for your wild birds. A great energy booster filled with protein

will result in happy and healthy birds. Sunflower hearts will

also speed up feeding time which means birds won’t be as vulnerable to predators.

Reptiles and Amphibians

Often some that are forgotten in the winter months are frogs, newts and toads. These small creatures go into hibernation during the winter months and can be found under piles of leaves, compost heaps, in old plant pots, piles of wood and sometimes in the bottom of ponds. If you suspect there might be a frog visiting your pond, put a ping-pong ball or a small floating device that will prevent the water from freezing over

and allow the passage of oxygen, they are most likely seeing the winter out from inside a burrow or nearby compost heap.

If you have any further questions or concerns about how to help winter wildlife then please get in touch with us either via our social channels or pop into one of our stores and have a chat with a team member. n

Ashlee is the social media and marketing assistant at petplace. Animal obsessed, she has a fondness for all living things and the environment using her creativity to build awareness. If you follow petplace on social media you will no doubt have interacted with Ashlee, she loves engaging with their customers and, most importantly, seeing all your wonderful pets.

Beauty & Homeware

online eco store Where everything’s plastic-free & vegan

Get set for a sustainable Christmas Find 100s of plastic-free gift ideas at our eco store

Eco-friendly skincare • makeup • haircare • homeware

Enjoy beauty without a plastic footprint

www.dancing-barefoot.com

A collection of beautiful home accessories & gifts.

Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Wales, United Kingdom admin@stanleyandlottie.com

You can also find us on Facebook: facebook.com/Stanley & Lottie Instagram: @stanley_and_lottie

www.stanleyandlottie.com