© Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Wildlife gardening in December
By December, wildlife is in survival mode, working hard to conserve energy and stay warm. Those species which have not migrated or entered a state of winter torpor, such as resident birds, badgers and foxes, will spend the majority of their time searching for food or taking shelter. Your garden may appear empty of life, but look closely and you will likely find creatures hiding in every crevice.
Wildlife Gardening activities
© Carol Sheppard
Keep feeding birds
Provide energy-rich bird foods for garden birds. This includes things like suet, sunflower seeds and mealworms. Some bird species, such as Blackbirds and Robins, are ground-feeding, so providing a bird table or scattering some food on the ground is of added benefit.
© Chris Speller
Keep providing water
Wildlife species require water at all times of year, not just when it's hot. Leave out a shallow dish of fresh water or use a shall bird bath to provide a fresh drinking source and break the ice during freezing weather.
Planting up a wildlife pond © Penny Dixie
Maintain your wildlife pond
It's important to be very careful not to disrupt the natural ecosystem of your pond, but if it requires some maintenance, December and January are generally considered the best months to carry this out as most species will be dormant.
When removing debris, ensure that you leave it by the side of the pond for a period of time to allow any wildlife to crawl back into the water.
© Zsuzsanna Bird
Put up a nest box
With natural nesting sites in decline, adding a nest box to your garden can make all the difference to your local birds come breeding season in spring. Observe which bird species visit your garden most often to determine the best type of nest box for your patch.
More ways to help wildlife in December
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