How to give british wildlife the ultimate Christmas gift
21st December 2020
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!
