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Spring is arguably the most exciting season of the year. The busy season sees nature start to awaken after a long winter slumber. As trees begin to grow leaves, plants start to flower and animals such as chicks and lambs are born.

Spring is also one of the busiest times for breeding, so finding a mate is the number one goal for wildlife at this time of year. Read on as we take a look at some of the spring animals and birds to look out for this spring…

Bumblebees

The all-important bumblebees start to emerge in March as we begin to welcome warmer weather. Queen bees start to come out from their underground nests and begin the search for fresh pollen and nectar, to regain strength after their fat stores have been depleted. The Queen bee will then start the hunt to find a suitable nesting site such as ground holes, bird boxes and tussocky grass.

You can find bees in hedgerows and gardens. Why not introduce a wildflower bed into your garden to attract insects and create a spring haven?

Hedgehogs

After a long hibernation, male hedgehogs will usually emerge first out of their winter nesting sites and they will be looking for the perfect mate to start breeding.

During hibernation, hedgehogs live almost entirely off fat reserves, meaning they regularly have to forage for up to two miles a night in search of food during spring. That’s why it’s important to regularly leave out fresh water and hedgehog food to help our spiky friends replenish their fat stores. Why not leave a bowl of WildThings Hedgehogs Food out in a quiet corner of your garden each evening? You will soon have regular hedgehog visitors if you do.

Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so look out for them during the evening in your garden; especially in piles of leaves or logs.

Try to keep your garden hedgehog friendly during this time, making sure you leave piles of leaves or log piles for them to make their nests. You can also make a hedgehog highway for them to be able to pass through your garden on their night-time forages.

Swallows

An icon of British springtime, swallows start to arrive back into the country in March after their epic 10,000km flight from the southern tip of Africa, across the savannah and Sahara desert.

Swallows will start to gather nest material shortly after their arrival and will begin building their nests in a variety of locations, from caves to the eaves of buildings.

Probably one of the easier animals to spot swallows can most likely be found in your neighbourhood. You can lend a hand to the weary travellers by planting insect-friendly flowers in your garden.

Badger cubs

Female badgers or ‘sows’ typically give birth to their cubs in February. The next six weeks are spent growing in the safety of their sett. In mid-March, they begin to emerge, gradually exploring tunnels and chambers (badgers live in a system of interconnected tunnels and chambers called a sett) as they gain confidence.

As we reach mid-to-late April, badger cubs make their first visits to the outside world, closely protected by their mother. You will see them at night in open grasslands and they most likely will be playing boisterously with their brothers and sisters. If you are lucky enough to have badgers in your area, why not leave out some WildThings Badger and Fox food to help them grow stronger?

Common toad

Spring is one of the best times to spot a toad. Although they typically stay in water during the spring breeding season (where they will go to lay their eggs) both frogs and toads tend to travel at night to spawn. These late-night trips can make for hazardous journeys across roads and towns.

Look out for jelly-like frog spawn in local ponds and ditches; often, several clusters merge to form a mass. You can start looking out for them as early as February, as toads are breeding earlier each year like many other animals.

What animals have you spotted so far this spring? Head over to our social channels to tell us more or even better, share your pictures!

Now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel (or at least we hope we can), it’s time to reflect on the year we’ve had. The impact of Covid-19 has been huge, affecting almost every aspect of human life as we know it and the physical world is no exception. Here at WildThings, we take a closer look at how the pandemic has had both a negative and positive impact on the environment over the last year.

What changed for the good?

When Boris Johnson told us we needed to ‘stay home’ in March 2020, we had no idea how long it would be for. Suddenly, all we were permitted was one walk a day and maybe the occasional trip to the supermarket. Working from home quickly became the new normal. The restrictions on movement, as well as the extensive travel restrictions, has resulted in a sudden drop in carbon emissions, pretty much worldwide. In conjunction with this, scientists have also noted drops in water pollution and significantly improved air quality. For years, pollution has had a catastrophic impact on ecological systems in the UK, so this sudden break in what was considered ‘normal’ life has worked wonders for biodiversity.

Wildlife has benefited enormously from the drops in pollution and the decrease in traffic and tourism has enabled them to thrive and find new food sources.

What changed for the bad?

The biggest tragedy to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic is of course all the lives lost. In order to treat the millions of people worldwide that had caught the virus, increases in medical supplies were needed. Unfortunately, this has led to an increase in medical waste in the form of masks and gloves, as well as an increase in haphazard use and disposal of disinfectants. All of these cause harm to the environment and the wildlife that inhabit our surroundings.

How can we make a change?

According to UK-based wildlife charity PTES (People’s Trust for Endangered Species), ‘Wildlife conservation – both within the UK and internationally – is in danger of being forgotten during the Covid-19 pandemic. Decades of conservation work could be undone through neglect and unintended consequences.’

So what can we do to make a change and maintain the positive impact Covid-19 has had on the environment? Luckily there are a few simple things you can do to protect the planet and local wildlife in the UK.

Cycle instead of drive

Driving a car and riding on public transport both contribute to increased carbon emissions. Cycling to and from work goes a long way to help reduce these emissions and also does wonders for your physical and mental well being. Not to mention, it’s much easier to spot wildlife out on the road when riding a bike so this will help reduce the likelihood of them being hit by a car or bus.

Continue to work from home

The landscape of how people work has changed a lot over the last year. Many businesses across the UK have now decided to continue to let their staff work from home post pandemic. As we’ve already mentioned, the reduction of cars on the road and reliance on public transport go a long way to establishing long term change for the better. Not to mention the considerable drop in noise pollution that would also stem from this.

Leave out wildlife food

Make sure you leave out wildlife food and a fresh water supply whenever you can. Local animals will only thrive when they have a food source they can rely on so it’s important for you to do your bit to help out. WildThings currently offer an amazing range of healthy wildlife food; shop online today.

Get involved

The sad reality of the situation is that people often get caught up in their own lives and forget all about protecting the planet and conservation efforts. Get involved with your local conservation and rescue centres and help spread the word about what people can do to protect wildlife!

Want to keep up to date with WildThings? Connect with us on social media and find out what we get up to to protect local wildlife!

Who doesn’t love feeding ducks in the local park? As the weather gets warmer and spring settles in, more and more people are becoming interested in UK wildlife and it is not uncommon for ducks to be fed bread. It’s what our parents did and their parents before them, so is it actually bad to feed ducks bread? In short, yes. We take a closer look at the five reasons why you shouldn’t feed ducks bread. Join the campaign – Better Than Bread.

1. Bread doesn’t offer much nutritional value

While ducks love gobbling up a slice of white bread, the nutritional content of said food is usually very small. Bread is essentially junk food for ducks and there is a risk that they may fill up on this rather than natural food sources that are actually good for them. So what do ducks eat naturally? Ducks and waterfowl get a lot of their energy and nutrients from pondweed, seeds, insects and worms. These foods contain essential vitamins and minerals that keep ducks healthy.

2. Bread contributes to water pollution

Ducks generally have a big appetite, but even they struggle to eat the overwhelming amount of bread being thrown their way. Because of this, a lot of this food ends up in the water, rotting over time. Uneaten bread not only contributes to pollution, it also allows bacteria to breed and attracts vermin. For this reason, forgo the bread and do your bit to keep ponds and lakes crystal clear.

3. Bread attracts other animals

Anywhere where there’s a bit of extra food up for grabs, there’s going to be animals. Uneaten bread is likely to take the fancy of neighbourhood rats and potential predators, which can threaten a duck’s ecosystem. These animals may start to eat the food in a duck’s habitat that they depend on to survive, putting their nutrition and livelihoods at risk.

4. Feeding bread can increase the risk of disease

When ducks eat a lot of carbohydrates, this leads to increased defecation, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria to thrive. Mouldy bread can also cause a fatal lung condition, known as aspergillosis; this infection can actually kill a large number of ducks in a short amount of time. Ultimately, feeding ducks bread just isn’t worth the risk of the harm it could cause.

5. An abundance of bread causes overcrowding

Where there is an abundance of food, ducks will naturally flock to this area. Overcrowding is harmful as it increases the chances of territorial aggression and also makes seeking natural (and healthier) food sources harder. Additionally, it’s easier for diseases to spread through large flocks due to close proximity.

So if bread is a no go, what is the best thing to feed ducks on visits to the park this spring? Just because you shouldn’t feed them bread doesn’t mean that you can’t still feed the ducks. Food like sweetcorn, defrosted peas, porridge oats and birdseed are much better alternatives. Better yet, you can shop specially formulated swan and duck food from WildThings and ensure that your local ducks are getting healthy and balanced sustenance.

One of the best things about the UK is our beautiful surroundings and the wild animals that inhabit them. Over the last few decades, our environment has taken blow after blow, putting the nation’s wildlife at risk and causing considerable damage to their livelihood. At WildThings, we know just how important it is to take positive steps towards becoming more environmentally aware. Read on for 10 things you can do to become more eco-friendly in 2021.

Use recyclable products

We all know that non-recyclable products damage our environment but it is crucial to understand the reasons why. Plastic in particular contributes to global warming and its longevity makes it hard to get rid of. Discarded plastic spreads toxins and can threaten wildlife in numerous ways. When doing your weekly shop, always aim to buy products that have the recyclable logo on them then make sure you recycle them correctly; it doesn’t take much to do this but small changes in your everyday life can have a huge impact when applied on a mass scale.

Choose natural ingredients

Synthetic ingredients, when used and washed down the drain often end up in the ocean, which has a domino effect on our environment. These chemicals can be toxic and have a negative impact on nature and threaten biodiversity. When in doubt, choose shampoos, conditioners and soaps that are made from natural, biodegradable ingredients. We live in a day and age where it’s never been easier to find exactly what you’re looking for- take advantage of this and take pride in knowing you’re doing your part to protect local wildlife!

Forgo fast fashion

Sure the prices are attractive, but fast fashion has quite a damaging effect on our environment. Clothes are being mass produced in enormous quantities using synthetic fibres- which can be very harmful when ingested by animals. Before buying new clothes, it’s worth checking what they’re made of and avoid textiles such as polyester. Many fashion retailers are becoming more eco-friendly so look for labels that are making a concerted effort to reduce emissions and water pollution.

Say no to plastic straws

It’s great news that the UK has confirmed a ban on single-use straws. As it turns out, people in England use an estimated 4.7 billion plastic straws, 316 million plastic stirrers and 1.8 billion plastic-stemmed cotton buds each year. This has a catastrophic impact on wildlife and biodiversity to say the least. Say no to plastic straws anytime you’re offered them and invest in a metal or bamboo straw instead. Added bonus- you can actually use these kinds more than once!

Go digital

We live in the 21st century; printing just isn’t necessary most of the time. You can minimise your carbon footprint by keeping things digital. Sure, we all like to have conversations around the printer, coffee in hand (at least before Covid-19, anyway) but if you don’t need to print, then don’t. Most companies will now allow you to make the change to e-bills too, so it’s worth doing that if you haven’t already.

Conserve water

An abundance of fresh, clean water is crucial for biodiversity to thrive. We often use more water than we need without even realising it and as much as we all love a nice hot bath, we aren’t doing our environment any favours. Take shorter showers, make sure the tap is off when you brush your teeth and use a washing up bowl for dishes rather than leaving the water running. All these little things add up in the long run!

Grow, grow, grow

Growing your own fruit, vegetables and plants can have a positive impact on the environment. It is more sustainable to eat food you’ve grown yourself and the addition of plants to your garden can offer safety, shelter and sustenance for wildlife. You can go one step further by researching what plants are native to your specific area and support the local ecosystem by growing them and allowing them to thrive.

Respect your local wildlife

If you’re even reading this article we’re willing to bet you’re passionate about wildlife. However, these are wild animals we’re talking about and they need to be treated as such. It is important not to interfere with their habitats when you’re out on a walk or try to pet a roaming hedgehog. Unless the animals are in trouble in some way, respect their boundaries and let them thrive doing what they do best.

Are you taking steps to becoming more eco-friendly in 2021? Connect with us on social and share what you’ve been up to!

There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a crazy year. Many of us are looking forward to the festive season just to have a bit of normality in our lives and be able to spend time with our nearest and dearest. It’s a sad fact of life that many people forget about caring for British wildlife, especially at this time of year. If you want to give wildlife the ultimate Christmas gift, there are several things you can do to provide for them and protect them. Read on to find out what you can do to make their Christmas this year:

Recycle, recycle, recycle

Christmas is a time of indulgence and with this naturally comes a lot of waste. It’s crucial (any time of year, but especially over the festive season), to recycle your waste properly as a failure to do this can have a huge impact on wildlife, not just in your area but across the country. Try to refrain from using too much plastic where possible and be sure to recycle your Christmas tree once we get into the new year.

Feed the birds

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the local birds don’t need some tasty food to keep them fit and healthy. You can pick up bird feeders in your local pet shop and they will be sure to attract more birds to your back garden. As a general rule, food is a lot harder to come by in the winter months so it will be Christmas day like no other for your feathered friends when you install a brand new bird feeder.

Keep your cat away

Humans introduced cats into the food chain, which means that there’s a lot more cats in the UK than there would be if they were wild. Cats are notorious for killing small animals and birds so if your cat is this way inclined, try to keep them away from local wildlife where possible.

Create a wild corner

We all tend to do a bit less gardening when it gets cold, but this is a good thing! Letting your garden get a bit wild is actually great for wildlife as it provides shelter and an abundance of insects (which are a tasty source of protein for many small animals). You can also create a log pile in your back garden and this will provide a safe haven for many of the local critters.

Leave food and water

Many people leave out food and water for local wildlife during spring and summer, but when it comes to the colder months, many people assume that all the animals are sleeping. In actual fact, winter is when animals need readily available nourishment the most! Hedgehogs are hibernating less and less and let’s not forget about all the local foxes and badgers. Make sure you leave out a bowl of fresh food and water as often as you can and shop online for food specifically designed to keep the animals fit and healthy.

Refrain from using chemicals

When it comes to recycling all your Christmas rubbish, be sure to throw away any garden chemicals whilst you’re at it. Many domestic chemicals are extremely harmful to animals and you can inadvertently poison them without realising it. The best Christmas gift you can give is a space that is safe and free from substances that may cause harm, so keep this in mind the next time you plan to do a bit of gardening.

Be in tune with nature

One of the best things to come out of 2020 is all the extra time we’ve spent outdoors. When you go on your daily winter walk, be sure to remain vigilant in case you come across any wildlife. Be careful where you step to not disturb any hibernating hedgehogs and keep an eye out for any animals that might be trapped or hurt. You never know when there might be a cute critter that needs your help so try to be in tune with nature and aware of your surroundings at all times.

What are you doing to protect local wildlife over the festive period? Connect with us via social media and share your stories with us!

When we think about UK wildlife, we often imagine cute critters enjoying the sun and making the most of spring and summer. But what do these animals get up to during the colder months? Here at WildThings, we take a closer look at wildlife behaviour during winter so that you can know what to expect and learn how to be a wildlife advocate when the seasons change.

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are known to hibernate between November and mid March, however, studies increasingly show that this isn’t always the case. According to hedgehog charity Amazing Grace, over the last decade hedgehogs have been hibernating less and less. If you’re already a WildThings shopper and frequently leave out extra food for the neighbourhood hogs, you may find that this has had an impact on whether or not they hibernate. Those hedgehogs that are well fed may not actually need to hibernate as they do not need to depend on fat stores to survive the winter. Some may still hibernate, but sleep for a much shorter time than usual. If you’re generous when it comes to feeding, it is important to continue to leave food out of the winter months for those hedgehogs that decide not to hibernate- they may have come to depend on the food you leave them!

Badgers

Badgers are very mysterious animals. As they’re nocturnal, they’re very rarely seen out and about during the day and this is even more true during the colder months. Even though they don’t hibernate, they do reduce their general activity in order to be able to survive the winter. Their aim is to build body fat and the less exercise they do, the chubbier they will get! For this reason, they’re less likely to move from place to place and so badger sightings are likely to be more infrequent. That doesn’t mean they aren’t still around and don’t need help from you, a wildlife advocate. You can help your local badgers over the winter by regularly leaving out badger food and fresh water. The WildThings range will help give them everything they need to stay fit and healthy and make finding food less of a struggle when the weather is cold.

Foxes

Foxes are nothing if not adaptable. Many species of fox actually grow thicker coats to keep themselves warm when temperatures plummet, so if you do see an extra fluffy looking fox during the winter, its magnificent coat is there for a reason. When the weather is warm foxes have a lot more options when it comes to food; they can easily find fruit, nuts and insects in the wild to feed on and so they generally keep well away from humans. It’s another story during winter, however. Food isn’t as easily accessible and so they may frequent human territory more and more and scavenge what they can to survive. This is why it’s actually really important to leave out food for foxes over winter. Like us, them going hungry is probably the last thing you want!

Ducks

You may be wondering how an earth ducks don’t freeze to death over the winter. Many birds fly to a warmer climate but many of the ducks you see in the park simply prefer to stay put. What you may not know is that their feathers are waterproof and help trap heat against the body, keeping them nice and toasty when it’s cold. Many of us (especially those with kids) love feeding the ducks in spring and summer but it’s important to remember that ducks may actually come to rely on this sustenance. Be sure to get yourself out for regular walks and treat your local ducks to WildThings duck food. No matter what time of year it is, try to avoid feeding them bread as many ducks struggle to digest this. You’re much better off feeding them specialised food that has been created specifically for them and their nutritional needs.

Swans

Swans are similar to ducks in that during the winter, some of them like to stay put despite the cold temperature. However, many of them migrate to warmer climates where food is more plentiful. Their feathers are also specially designed to keep them warm and they often ruffle them which helps trap in the heat. Once again, it is important to continue to feed your local swans during winter. You may not want to get as close to them as you would ducks as swans can sometimes attack when they feel threatened or scared. Be sure to shop WildThings swan food and pay them several visits between November and March.

The main thing to take away is that if you’re a wildlife advocate, you should continue doing what you do best over the winter months. It is crucial that you continue to do everything in your power to protect wildlife winter wonders, whether that be feeding them regularly or providing optimum conditions for them to thrive. Connect with us on social media and tell us what you’re doing to protect your local wildlife this winter!

When we think about the wonderful world of wildlife, we often imagine tropical jungles in the Amazon or distant african landscapes. The truth of it is we don’t need to look far past our kitchen window to celebrate the animals much closer to home. There’s so much more to British wildlife than you would think; get ready to find out more about all the creatures native to the UK and perhaps learn some interesting facts along the way!

Badgers can survive on a wide variety of foods but their diet consists mainly of worms, fruit and nuts. If they’re really struggling to find sustenance, they may also eat small animals, such as hedgehogs. All the more reason to shop badger food at WildThings to give them a helping hand! They’re also impressively tidy; badgers regularly clean out the area they sleep in to keep fleas away.

It’s no accident that hedgehogs are covered in spines. These prickly creatures curl up into a ball when they sense a predator lurking and their sharp spines effectively fend off any animals that may fancy them as a tasty snack. Watch out badgers! It’s worth noting that hedgehogs are particularly fond of eating slugs- so try to stay away from using slug poison as this can actually kill hedgehogs. You can also shop hedgehog food right here.

Harvest mice are Britain’s smallest rodent, weighing as little as 4 grams. They like to weave nests out of grass and have semi-prehensile tails, which basically meals they can hold things with their tail! This is especially useful for climbing or picking up morsels of food.

Barn owls like to stay in one area their whole life and are known for being quite shy. They choose their nesting sites based on how easy it will be for them to hide and normally have one place to sleep and a few others to roost, all within a 3km radius. They also have the most sensitive hearing of any creature ever tested, so make sure you keep this in mind if you ever come across one!

There’s a reason why The Beatles sang about blackbirds. These beautiful birds roost together in the winter and sing together in unison, making a chink-chink sound. They also sing in the day and males start singing as early in the year as February in order to attract a female friend.

Foxes are the nation’s scavengers and have developed strong stomachs and immune systems. This is so they can eat rotting food scraps that may make those animals with weaker dispositions quite ill. Household refuse makes up roughly half of an urban fox’s diet and they also feast on insects, worms and fruit. They may even hunt small mammals such as rats, mice and birds!

Rabbits are nothing if not adaptable. Wild rabbits breed really fast and survive on a diet purely made up of vegetation, so it’s no surprise that the UK was previously overrun by rabbits. In the 1950s the disease myxomatosis was introduced to drastically reduce their numbers, causing them to become almost extinct! Thankfully, the cute little critters made a serious comeback and they’re now very common in the countryside (much to farmers’ dismay, rabbits love to eat up all their crops).

Think there are no snakes in the UK? Think again! The grass snake is the largest reptile in Britain and can grow as large as a metre long. They’re normally found in areas where there is a body of water and woodland surroundings (so don’t worry, you’re not going to find one in your kitchen!) Fun fact, grass snakes like to do a bit of sunbathing when the sun comes out. Who would have thought?

Are you interested in Britain’s wildlife? Connect with us on social and share your stories with us!

Here at WildThings, we know how lucky we are to live in a country with such diverse wildlife. From hedgehogs, to foxes, to badgers, to birds, and more, it seems there’s a cute critter waiting around every corner! We’re willing to bet that when it comes to swans, you probably don’t know much about them. We take a closer look at their secret lives and find out more about these stunning creatures.

Swans believe in soulmates

Once a swan has met its significant other, it will mate for life. The courtship ritual is truly something to behold; the two swans face each other, ruffle their feathers, lift their wings and bow their heads simultaneously. Once this phase is over, they tend to stick together for the rest of their days. Having a long-term mate is highly beneficial in terms of survival; swans tend to eat more/better when they work together as a team and they also work together to avoid potential predators.

Swans have great memories

Just like elephants, swans never forget. They will remember if you have been kind to them…or not so kind! Always keep this in mind when you come across a swan, particularly if you regularly pass the same one on your morning commute. They’re beautiful, but they don’t like being messed with, that’s for sure!

Swans can fly

Many people don’t know that swans can fly. They can actually fly as fast as 60mph and many migrate to warmer climates during the winter, as they prefer bodies of water that don’t freeze. The next time you see a blurry white UFO, you never know, it could be a swan seeking a warmer habitat!

Swans have a diverse diet

Swans eat a range of food, including: algae, waterweed, pondweed, coontail, wild celery, wild rice and muskgrass. They also eat smaller creatures when they can find them in their habitat, such as fish, mollusks, frogs and insects. Many people feed swans bread, but it is important to remember that bread isn’t good for a swan’s digestive system. You can buy purpose made swan and duck food right here at WildThings.

Swans aren’t fussy where they sleep

These majestic creatures will sleep either on land or in water, as long as they’re in their natural habitat. They tend to stand on one leg and float in the water while they rest, which doesn’t sound comfortable for us humans, but for them it’s the ideal position for a nice long sleep!

Swans can be a tad on the aggressive side

Swans are naturally gentle creatures but that doesn’t mean they won’t stand up for themselves when crossed! They have been known to act aggressively when they come across threatening behaviour and may even be able to break a human arm with their powerful wings. You definitely want to approach with caution and be respectful of their boundaries.

Swans live for a long time

For an animal of their size, swans live for a very long time. It is not uncommon for them to live for over 20 years and some species even live as long as 30 years! They tend to choose their life-long mate at around 2-4 years old, so that’s a long time to be spending with a significant other. In this day and age, it’s even longer than some human relationships!

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hedgehog hiding in autumn leaves If there’s one thing that’s for sure; there’s nothing cuter than a teeny, tiny hedgehog. These enchanting creatures have it all; they’re totally adorable, a bit mysterious in their ways and a great garden visitor to have. We’re willing to bet there’s a few things you don’t know about these prickly little critters. Read on for the top 10 things you didn’t know about hedgehogs:

1. Their table manners aren’t the best

If you’ve ever heard a hedgehog eating, it may come as a surprise that they chew so loudly! Next time the tiny creature visits your garden, listen out for that telltale sound of them enjoying their dinner.

2. Shakespeare was a fan

Referring to them as ‘hedgepins’ and ‘urchins’, William Shakespeare has included hedgehogs in plays such as The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. If Shakespeare is a fan then so are we!

3. They have A LOT of spines

It may come as a surprise but adult hedgehogs have at least 5,000 spines. 5,000 spines of prickly cuteness to be exact. They even have a small tail, which is generally hidden by the needles so a lot of people don’t know it’s there.

4. They like to do the rounds

That hedgehog you’ve affectionately named Steve might not be the regular you think he is. Hedgehogs like to visit different gardens each evening, so Steve might actually be Jack or Harry.

5. Their favourite food is insects

Hedgehogs enjoy beetles, caterpillars, earthworms and slugs, making them the ideal garden visitor. Say goodbye to those pesky insects when Steve/Jack/Harry is in town! To supplement their natural diet, you can also buy hedgehog food from WildThings. These little critters can’t get enough of it!

6. They like things messy

Good news; creating a safe space for hedgehogs is a great excuse to not trim your hedges. These critters love wild and overgrown greenery, as it offers them a safe space to nest. If there comes a time when you do need to do a bit of garden maintenance, especially in the winter, keep an eye out for any hibernating hedgehogs.

7. They sleep A LOT

Hedgehogs hibernate between November and March and need a soft cosy place to remain warm through the winter. Their favourite places to go down for the long nap are beneath garden sheds, under bushwood and snuggled up under bountiful garden hedges.

8. Their eyesight isn’t the best

It’s true, hedgehogs can’t see very well at all. To make up for this, their sense of smell and hearing are both exceptional. This enables them to find a safe place to nest, avoid predators and sniff out a tasty treat.

9. They’re lactose intolerant

If you want to leave a drink out for your garden visitor, you’re probably best staying clear of milk. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant which means they struggle to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products. Opt for clean, fresh water instead.

10. They have strong personalities

When it comes to hedgehogs, you never know what you’re going to get. Some are charming and sociable, while others may be much more wary and want their own space. It’s important that you respect each individual hedgehog’s boundaries so you don’t frighten them. Your best bet is making sure they have plenty of food to eat and going in for a cautious pet once you’ve established a relationship.

Feeding the ducks is a much loved activity for many, but over recent years there’s been a lot of debate about what you should feed ducks – and it raises a question, what do (and should) ducks actually eat?

Well, ducks are omnivorous birds which means they eat a wide range of different foods, both plant and animal, and often forage for meals and snacks. Feeding ducks, swans and geese is a great way to enjoy getting close to them and a really good way to connect with nature. But what can you feed ducks at your local park? Here are a few tips…

What do ducks eat?

In the wild, a duck’s diet will vary depending on their breed and habitat. Ducks that live near grasslands and parks will eat seeds, grass, and weeds, whereas ducks that live in wetlands will eat amphibians for example frogs, fish, and salamanders. If needs dictate, ducks will also eat molluscs, fish eggs, algae, worms, and insects.

In addition to these nutritious foods, some ducks consume sand, gravel, pebbles, and small shells to provide grit that aids their digestion. Grit can also contain trace amounts of vital minerals, such as calcium that help form part of their healthy diet.

Ducks and swans that live near ponds, parks and lakes often rely on supplementary feeding by the public and can be at risk of starvation without the extra food. If you can visit your local waterside, we would encourage you to take along some food and offer them a helping hand. You never know it could save their life.

Should ducks eat bread?

Feeding bread to swans and ducks is a fond pastime for people but, in some cases, this can be harmful to the birds. There are many healthier alternatives which are safer for both the birds and the environment.

When ducks and swans eat bread in excess, it can cause nutrient and vitamin deficiencies which have been linked to the development of Angel Wing. This condition causes structural issues and strain on the muscles, causing their wings to twist and drop open. In most cases of Angel Wing, excessive intake of carbohydrates, lack of Vitamin E and Magnesium have been present and this correlates with the lack of nutrition white bread provides. It is also important to note that bacteria can breed on any uneaten bread and this can attract rats and other unwanted vermin.

However, this doesn’t mean we have to stop our trips to the lake to feed the ducks. Giving birds the right food is good for both them and the environment. So next time you go down to the pond, why not take a healthier alternative such as our Swan & Duck Food and do your bit to protect our wildlife! You can read more about our ‘Better Than Bread’ campaign here.

What can I feed ducks?

There are many healthy, safe, and nutritious foods you can feed ducks, swans, and geese. The best foods contain minerals and vitamins that birds need for growth and development.

Some good foods to feed them include:

Rice (This can be plain, brown, or white and it doesn’t matter if it’s cooked or un-cooked)
Lettuce
Peas
Oats (rolled or porridge oats)
Grapes (cut them in half first to avoid choking)
Vegetable trimmings or peels
WildThings Swan & Duck Food

WildThings Swan & Duck Food is an environmentally friendly and wholesome alternative. It is also extremely tasty, so you will quickly become the most popular person at the lake!

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