Wildlife Matters Guide to: Caring for your Garden Wildlife this winter

Hello and welcome to this week's Wildlife Matters Podcast podcast where we're looking at the second part in our new series The Wildlife Matters Guide 2.

And today we're sharing tips and guidance on how to help your garden wildlife by looking after your wildlife garden and your wildlife garden pond this winter.

Then it's time to wind down and immerse yourself as you join us in celebrating some of the sounds of late autumn autumn in this week's Wildlife Matters mindful moment.

But first, on this week's Wildlife Matters podcast, it's time to take a look at the stories from the world of wildlife nature that have caught our attention in this week's Wildlife Matters Nature News.

Hello and welcome to this week's Wildlife Matters Nature News where we take a closer look at some of the wildlife and nature stories that have caught our attention in the last week.

And our first story is the exciting sighting of a white tailed eagle in Sussex.

On Tuesday morning, November 11, a white tailed eagle, also known as a sea eagle, was spotted spotted in the Ashdown Forest.

The impressive bird was spotted by Kent resident Michael Tully at the Old Lodge Nature Reserve.

Michael told Wildlife Matters that it flew overhead, perched on a tree and then flew off again.

He also added that it was huge.

The white tailed eagle is one of the UK's largest birds of prey.

Once driven to the brink of extinction due to persecution, these majestic birds have been successful.

Successfully reintroduced in Scotland and more recently on the Isle of Wight.

They are sometimes referred to as sea eagles and primarily prey on fish, small mammals and birds.

These eagles have broader wings than golden eagles.

Adults have a distinction distinctive white wedged shaped tail and a pale head accompanied by a large yellow bill and they are typically found near coastal areas.

These birds, which can have a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters or 8.2ft, are being monitored by the Roy Dennis Wildlife foundation and according to the Sussex Wildlife Trust, Old Lodge Nature Reserve is located in the heart of the Ashdown Forest and has a character that is subtly yet noticeably different from the true lowland heat that surrounds it, such as iping common.

The geology in this area differs slightly but more significantly, Old Lodge is situated about 500ft higher which makes it considerably cooler and the atmosphere of Old Lodge resembles that of a region one might associate with the northwest of Britain, which may be what attracted the female white tailed eagle to the site.

Our second story takes us to Scotland where the charity Trees for Life is set to launch a new missing species program for the Highlands.

Bringing back lynx, beaver, red squirrels and modern day oryx will benefit landscapes, climate and communities by reintroducing four of Scotland's lost keystone species to the Scottish Highlands.

The project aims to address the nature and climate emergencies whilst generating significant benefits for communities including through nature tourism.

According to the rewilding charity, this ambitious program will require 3.6 million to fund its first five years and achieve its aims including detailed habitat assessments and community engagement to meet with Scotland's strict licensing requirements.

Alongside a supporter appeal launch this month to raise the initial 25,000 to start the initiative, Trees for Life is reaching out to major funds funders including individuals, businesses, foundations and grant making bodies to help resource the ambitious new program Keystone species play a vital role in healthy living ecosystems still, many such species are now entirely or mostly missing from Scotland, Trees for Life's Chief executive Steve Micklewhite told Wildlife Matters.

By bringing back the forest, planting a red squirrel, flood preventing beaver, deer managing lynx and landscape shaping oryx through their modern day descendants with tauros we can restore nature at scale and breathe new life into the Highlands so people and wildlife can thrive together.

Returning these four important, carefully chosen architects of the wild is about restarting the natural engines of Scotland's ecosystems, boosting biodiversity, climate action and local economies and giving people the chance to discover the wonder of a wilder landscape.

The Highlands can become a beacon of hope in the fight against extinction and wildlife loss.

Ensuring successful coexistence between wildlife and people is crucial to the project.

This includes through community discussion, discussions, management measures and providing opportunities for local people to enjoy the social and economic benefits.

Successful species reintroductions in Scotland require extensive and technical work including habitat assessment and engagement with stakeholders to meet the standards set by Nature Scot, Scotland's nature agency.

This allows nature to recover while promoting coexistence with between people and wildlife and ensuring species find their rightful place.

Beavers play a crucial role in creating wetlands that support wildlife, purify water and reduce flooding.

Additionally, a community discussion facilitated by Trees for Life and the Beaver Trust is exploring the possibility of returning beavers to the Alokh Ness area.

The elusive Eurasian lynx, which poses no threat to humans, plays a vital role in managing deer population by preying on them.

This natural control helps young trees to thrive and supports the regeneration of woodlands.

Scotland, where lynx were driven to extinction during the Middle Ages, is one of the few countries in their historical range that still lacks this species.

Research suggests that the Highlands have suitable habitats that could sustain a breeding population of around 250 lynx.

Trees for Life has collaborated with various stakeholders over the past five years to assess the potential impacts of lynx reintroduction, including concerns about sheep predation and the benefits of ecotourism.

Tauros are classified as domestic cattle, but they do not represent an equivalent breed.

In the Netherlands, scientists have been back breeding them to resemble the ancient oryx, the wild ancestor of all domestic cattle.

For millennia, oryx played a crucial role in shaping landscapes and enhancing biodiversity throughout Europe, including Scotland.

Trees for Life is conducting assessments at its 4,000 hectare Dundragon estate near Loch Ness, preparing for what would be the UK's first introduction of a herd of Tauros, effectively reintroducing the Orochs four centuries after their extinction.

Research in Europe indicates that tauros are larger and more active than other cattle, can create richer habitats through their intense grazing, sheer size and behavior.

Bulls can reach heights of up to 180cm whilst cows can reach 150cm at their shoulder at Dundragon.

Their role in ecological restoration will be studied scientifically.

Red squirrels in the UK were pushed to the brink of extinct extinction due to historic habitat loss and persecution by humans.

Current estimates suggest their population ranges from 160,000 to as much as 287,000 individuals.

Unfortunately, Red squirrels are still absent from much of the Highlands, which is one of their last strongholds.

Trees for Life has actively relocated red squirrels to woodlands in the northern Highlands that the animals are unable to access on their own.

To date, this effort has yielded the establishment of 13 new thriving populations.

The charity is exploring ways to establish new populations of red squirrels, which will help in the natural regeneration of woodlands by burying caches of tree seeds such as acorns and hazelnuts.

And in our third story, we're learning more about Surrey's Space for Nature project, which utilizes science, satellite data and community science to protect biodiversity across the county.

The project is currently being showcased by the British government at the COP30 UK pavilion in Brazil.

The display forms part of the UK's official presentation of Research and Innovation Tackling Global Climate and Nature Challenges.

It's co led by the University of South Surrey's center for Environment and Sustainability in collaboration with the Surrey Wildlife Trust, Bugs Life and the Painshill Park Trust.

Space for Nature brings together scientists, local communities and conservation groups to map and monitor important habitats across Surrey.

These habitats include chalk grasslands, heathlands and assailants grasslands that support some of the nation's rarest species.

The project utilizes advanced satellite imagery and artificial intelligence that has been trained using data from local volunteers.

This allows space for Nature to classify habitats to Level 4 of the UK HAB system, resulting in one of the most detailed environmental maps of its kind.

This initiative enables conservation partners to identify areas where biodiversity is at risk and to concentrate their restoration efforts.

For example, they work on reconnecting fragmented chalk grasslands, often referred to as the rainforests of Europe due to their significant carbon storage capabilities and rich biodiversity.

Surrey Wildlife Trust plays a key role in the Space for Nature project by leading its citizen science program, training volunteers and coordinating the collection of field data that supports satellite and AI mapping.

The Trust's on the ground expertise bridges technology and conservation, transforming local knowledge into essential data for protecting the landscape of Surrey.

Dr. Anna Andries, Lecturer in Remote Sen Sensing and GIS at the University of Surrey and the project's lead, told Wildlife, we're using satellite data and artificial intelligence in a way that directly supports conservation on the ground.

Citizen scientists help train our machines learning models, thus turning local field data into high resolution habitat maps that reveal where biodiversity is under threat.

To see Our work featured on the Global Stage at COP30 highlights how our region's innovation and collaboration can help shape the future of biodiversity monitoring.

Andrew Jamieson, Space for Nature Project Manager at the Surrey Wildlife Trust, told us it's time for conservation organizations like ours to step outside traditional boundaries and focus not just on land management and individual skills species recovery, but also on delivering the tools and partnerships that will drive change on a landscape scale.

This project exemplifies that approach that has been this week's Wildlife Matters Nature News.

We were thrilled to be contacted about the sighting of a white tailed eagle in the Ashdown Forest.

I have been fortunate enough to see these magnificent birds in Scotland, where their impressive size and elegance in flight is truly captivating, but I've never been able to see one in the south of England.

We're excited about the ongoing rewilding initiatives and species introduction efforts in Scotland, Scotland's Highlands and across the rest of the uk.

And we will keep you updated on the Trees for Life project as it develops from exploring our past to shaping the future of wildlife and nature conservation.

Nature News covers a wide range of topics related to the natural world, including the innovative work being done by the Surrey's Space for Nature project.

But now it's time to unwind and relax.

Join us as we take you to our wildlife garden in the late autumn.

With the longer nights settling in, this is an important time for you to support and help your wildlife.

So now let's settle in and enjoy the soothing late afternoon sounds of the Wildlife Matters rewilding garden on this week's Wildlife Matters mindful moment.

RA we still have many bird visitors to the Wildlife Garden throughout the year, but in late autumn it is often those hardy species that spend the winter with us, such as the blackbird who was the star of this audio supported by the collared dove and of course a chorus of sparrows who always have plenty to talk about with each other and all for your relaxation and pleasure on this week's Wildlife Matters.

Mindful moments.

But now it's time for the Wildlife Matters main feature and to the second in our series of the Wildlife Matters guides too, with another double feature where this week we share hints and tips of how to make your garden a haven for wildlife this winter.

And in the part two we share how to keep your wildlife pond and all the wildlife that relies upon it in tip top condition through winter.

And that's all coming up next on this week's Wildlife Matters main feature.

Hello and welcome to this week's Wildlife Matters main feature and today it's all about essential tips for nurturing wildlife in your garden this winter.

An easy way to look after wildlife in winter is actually for you to do less with your garden than you usually would.

That means to avoid pruning berry or fruit bearing bushes or trees in your garden, especially as these provide indispensable food for birds over the dark cold winter months and allow twigs and leaves and sticks to pile up under hedges or in the borders as this can provide a cozy home for hedgehogs and dormice to hibernate and a wonderful place for insects to hide out over winter.

Those insects will in turn be become food for the birds who will feast by picking at the leaves in your garden or balcony.

Leave a corner to collect leaves which will provide vital shelter for overwintering insects, and as winter sets in, the landscape transforms into a cold and stark environment, presenting significant challenges for wildlife trying to survive.

With temperatures plummeting and natural food sources becoming scarce, many animals will struggle to find sustenance and shelter.

Your actions can make a big difference in the survival of your local wildlife during the darker, colder months of winter.

By creating a welcoming haven for creatures that inhabit your garden, you are playing a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and natural behaviors.

So here are some practical strategies you can implement to create a welcoming haven for wildlife in your garden this winter.

Let your garden go wild.

Consider leaving certain areas of your garden untouched.

A natural accumulation of leaves and log piles can transform your garden into a sanctuary, offering cozy nesting spots for small animals seeking refuge.

These hidden corners provide perfect resting places and hibernation spots, ensuring that wildlife can find safety and warmth during the chilly months ahead.

So by postponing your garden tidying tasks until early spring, you not only enrich the ecosystem, but also you create vital shelter for insects to thrive through the winter's grasp.

This practice also promotes biodiversity and helps maintain a healthy ecosystem in your garden.

If you have a compost heap, you've created a thriving habitat for a variety of fascinating creatures.

This pile of organic matter can become an inviting home for toads, grass snakes, and even the elusive slow worms, all of which contribute to the rich biodiversity of your garden.

Embracing a more natural approach can significantly enhance your garden's role as a refuge for wildlife.

By allowing certain areas to go wild, you create a diverse ecosystem that can support a wide range of species, from insects to small mammals.

This not only enriches your garden, but also contributes to the overall biodiversity of your local area.

If the surface of your garden pond becomes a solid sheet of ice during the winter months, it's vital to create an opening in that ice.

The reason is that when a pond freezes over, harmful gases like methane can accumulate beneath the surface.

These gases pose a serious threat to the fish and frogs that may be hibernating at the bottom of the pond, as they can be toxic and even fatal to the aquatic life.

To safely create a hole in the ice, one effective method is to carefully place a pan filled with hot water on the frozen surface.

This will gradually melt the ice, creating a hole without causing a sudden temperature change that could harm the pond's inhabitants.

It's essential to avoid forcefully breaking the ice or pouring boiling water directly into the pond, as this sudden temperature change can harm or even kill any frogs hiding beneath the surface.

Alternatively, you could introduce a floating object such as a football into the pond that will stop the whole of the pond from freezing over.

This simple addition will help to create an air pocket, allowing for an exchange of gases and preventing the entire surface of the water from freezing solid, which is crucial for the health of your pond's inhabitants and ecosystem.

For additional tips and strategies on nurturing your wildlife pond during the harsher winter months, we will bring you a new Wildlife Matters guide to wildlife garden ponds in winter later in this series.

Feeding the Garden Birds during the chilly winter months, many birds face significant challenges in locating natural food sources such as berries, fruits, seeds, insects and worms.

But you can make a real difference by putting out a little extra nourishment for them.

Consider offering an enticing mix of seeds, fresh unsalted peanuts that provide essential energy, and seasonal fruits like crisp apples and succulent pears that will be a delight to their taste buds.

Additionally, dried or wax mealworms are a popular treat among garden birds, and they can be purchased from specialized bird food suppliers.

As the winter continues and natural food options dwindle, both the resident British birds and migrating winter visitors will increasingly turn to your feeders for their food.

Always provide fresh water as temperatures fall below freezing, wildlife faces significant challenges in finding clean, fresh water sources.

This can lead to dehydration and other health issues for birds and small animals that rely on these resources for their very survival.

Providing fresh water in winter is crucial for the survival of wildlife as it helps them stay hydrated and healthy during during the harsh winter months.

To support your local garden wildlife, consider placing a shallow bowl filled with fresh water outside each night.

It's essential to choose a bowl that is wide and shallow, making it easier for animals to access the water and making it safer for any who venture in to the water, it makes sure that they can get back out.

To keep the water from freezing completely over, you can add a brick or a stone inside the bowl.

This provides a convenient perching spot for birds and helps minimize the likelihood of water completely freezing over, allowing wildlife to hydrate more easily even when it's in freezing temperature.

Regularly replenishing the water will ensure that it remains a fresh and viable source for your local wildlife.

You can also attract more garden visitors by using the right food.

During the chilly winter months, food becomes scarce for many forms of wildlife, making your garden a vital refuge for them.

By offering thoughtful and appropriate treats, you can attract a variety of mammals to your outdoor space.

Imagine the joy of seeing some of these creatures visiting your garden, adding a new and delightful dimension to your winter landscape.

For foxes, they're opportunistic omnivores, which means that they will eat a wide range of food.

You can provide a mix of delicious offerings such as sausages, cheese, boiled potatoes, crunchy carrots, tender chicken pieces, jam and peanut butter sandwiches, and even eggs left whole and in their shells uncooked for squirrels.

Unlike many of their fellow mammals, squirrels remain active throughout the winter, caching food in the autumn months for future use.

To help sustain them, offer an assortment of nutritious nuts including hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds.

They also enjoy the fresh taste of chopped apple, beans, carrots and leafy spinach, perfect for their energetic lifestyle.

If you have badgers nearby, these nocturnal foragers face a tough challenge when the ground freezes, making it hard to find their favorite food, which is earthworms.

You can support them though by providing hearty options such as sausages, cheese, protein rich eggs boiled or uncooked in their shells, boiled potatoes, crunchy carrots, and a selection of fruits such as apples, pears and plums.

These are all nutritious treats for badgers and for hedgehogs.

Our spiky little garden visitors appreciate a good meal, especially during the winter months.

Offer them dried dog or cat food to provide essential nutrients for variety.

Consider adding wet sachets and you can include fish based options which are not only tasty, but will also be beneficial in their range of nutrients and vitamins.

Hedgehogs will also happily munch on eggs, providing protein to their diet.

One important note though is to always avoid giving milk or other dairy produce to wildlife.

Most adult mammals are lactose intolerant, including humans, and consuming milk can to severe diarrhea and potentially life threatening conditions for wildlife during the frigid winter months.

Instead, always ensure fresh water is available in a shallow bowl providing them with a crucial source of hydration.

It's also important to establish a routine feed the wildlife at dusk and keep a consistent feeding schedule.

Don't offer large amounts of food as it is crucial to avoid making wildlife dependent on your human handouts.

No matter how quickly your wild visitors may eat the food you've put out, leave out only enough food for one meal, which ensures they consume it in one sitting rather than relying on a constant supply.

For instance, when feeding birds off a handful of seeds or or small amount of peanuts, avoid placing large quantities out each evening to prevent the overfeeding and promote their natural foraging instincts.

Do let us know if you try any of these tips and how it's worked for the wildlife in your garden this year.

We hope the help of this Wildlife Matters guide will help you feel inspired to support and nurture your garden's wildlife during this beautiful yet challenging winter season.

And that has been this week's Wildlife Matters main feature.

In the second part of our Wildlife Matters main feature, we're sharing some essential tips for caring for your wildlife pond during the winter months.

As winter settles in, your pond may appear calm and lifeless, but it remains a crucial habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the lively creatures that thrive around your garden pond when the winter arrives?

While we often focus on hibernating mammals or feeding birds during the colder months, it's really easy to overlook the bustling life beneath the water's surface.

Even when a pond looks still, it teems with unseen activity just waiting to be discovered.

So to help you keep your wildlife pond healthy and vibrant this winter, Wildlife Matters has created our guide with some top tips for you to follow.

The first is to manage your fallen leaves.

As leaves fall and land in the wildlife pond, they settle on the surface, but they will soon sink to the bottom of your pond and decompose into a new, nutrient rich sludge.

While this may initially sound beneficial, it can actually lead to excessive algae growth that we need to avoid.

So make a point of clearing the leaves from your pond regularly and adding them to your leaf compost.

You don't want to put large amounts of wet leaves into the leaf mold pile at any one time, which is why this job is better done a little and on often.

You also need to control excessive algae growth, which is a big problem for ponds as it depletes oxygen that harms aquatic life and reduces the water quality.

Thick algae blooms can block sunlight, stunting the growth of beneficial plants, and as they break down, they can create dead zones in the pond due to the lower oxygen levels.

And always stay alert because some algae, such as blue green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to both wildlife and humans.

It's crucial that you remain vigilant to any unexpected color changes in the water to ensure the safety of your pond's inhabitants.

But by taking these simple steps, you can ensure your wildlife pond remains a thriving sanctuary for wildlife, even in the the coldest of winter months.

In recent years, many gardeners have simply discarded their garden waste, which accounts for approximately 20% of the waste that is sent to landfill.

Historically, garden leaves have been raked up and stored to make leaf mold.

Composting fallen leaves creates a nutrient rich, crumbly organic matter that can significantly improve your garden soil and this enriched matter benefits your vegetables and flowers.

It supports a healthier plant growth by maintaining soil moisture levels.

And oxygenating plants are an excellent way to maintain a balanced and healthy ecosystem in your wildlife pond.

They're often referred to as oxygenators, but they are the ideal choice for promoting the health of your wildlife pond because these plants not only increase the oxygen levels but also create safe habitats for aquatic wildlife.

They also make a sufficient supply of oxygen, which enhances the health and well being of all the wildlife, as well as promoting beneficial bacteria.

Oxygenators help remove excess nutrients such as nitrates, which can reduce algae growth, improving the pond's appearance and creating a positive environment for the pond's inhabitants.

Wildlife Matters recommends a variety of native aquatic plants that can oxygenate the water, such as spiked water milfoil and water starwort, as these help mitigate the effects of decaying organic matter.

And here are some other plants that we recommend you take a look at.

Water violets These oxygenators bloom with attractive flowers from May through June.

They should be planted in the shallow areas of your pond, but can grow deeper as needed.

Water violets thrive when fully submerged and can tolerate direct sunlight.

Water weed, or Elodia densa, is a popular choice for new ponds as water weed grows quickly and helps to control algae.

It also adapts quickly to new pond setups.

Horwart, which is a UK native oxygenating plant, remains fully submerged underwater.

It grows quickly and loosely during the late spring and early summer before sinking to the bottom in winter before it repeats the cycle in the following year.

Water CROWFOOT Known for its lovely aesthetic, water crowfoot produces small white flowers that enhance the beauty of any wildlife pond.

These flowers bloom between April and June and the plants should be planted in small clusters with the soil up to 60cm deep.

For optimal results, it is generally recommended to have two or three oxygenating plants per square meter of pond surface.

But you don't want to overcrowd your pond with too many plants as this can have a negative effect effect as they use oxygen at night, which may be fatal for any wildlife.

Also using your pond for most of us, the motivation for rewilding our garden is that it's better for nature and wildlife, and it is.

It also has positive effects on biodiversity.

In the Wildlife Matters wildlife garden, we simply leave more seed heads standing into winter and this has resulted in a noticeable increase in bird and insect activity.

We create leaf piles, compost bins, log piles and long grass, which are all essential habitats for mammals, reptiles and amphibians, frogs and smooth newts.

Often hibernate in these microhabitats where temperatures will remain stable, thereby protecting them from predators and harsh weather conditions.

Bringing the focus back to our wildlife pond on cold winter mornings.

One of the most critical steps of pond care is keeping a portion of the pond surface ice free as getting trapped in an ice layer is one of the biggest threats to pond wildlife.

A frozen surface can trap harmful gases and deprived creatures in your nature pond of oxygen.

If it does freeze over, do not attempt to break the ice with a stick or stone or pour boiling water onto its surface as both these methods can harm wildlife.

Breaking the ice can create vibrations in the water that may well injure the wildlife in there, whilst adding boiling water can increase their heart rate at torpor, also impacting on the creature's well being.

To make a breathing hole, consider placing a small ball or a pond ornament on the water's surface which will help prevent the whole pond from freezing over.

This will allow frogs, newts and other species to leave the pond in search of food whilst also facilitating the diffusion of gases from the water and allowing entry of oxygen into the water.

It's also important to keep the edges of your pond clear of ice as this provides a safe area for your garden birds and small mammals to bathe and to drink fresh water without any risk of slipping into the cold water.

We hope these tips will help your wildlife pond thrive this winter and inspire some of you to create a new wildlife pond.

Late autumn is the ideal time of the year to do it as the ground hasn't frozen yet and wildlife is busy busy preparing for winter.

So now you have the perfect opportunity to create your new wildlife garden pond.

So go do it.

And that has been this week's Wildlife Matters main feature.

We hope you are finding our guide to these two series to be helpful and that it will help you and your garden wildlife this winter.

As discussed, now is the ideal time to build your wildlife pond.

If you don't have one, it doesn't need to be big.

Anything from a Belfast sink through to a small lake provides so many benefits for the local wildlife and a small sink sized project can be completed completed in a day or definitely in a weekend.

So why not get creative and build yours this weekend?

From today we are sharing our top 10 most listened to episodes in reverse order until we reveal our number one on Christmas Eve.

So please do share your favorites with friends, family and colleagues and let us know if your favourite episode is him.

The top 10 sharing really helps others to find us so please follow like and share on social media.

We now have a vibrant community on threads and Instagram, in addition to our long established Facebook group.

And welcome to our growing Blue sky community.

Wildlife Matters will return in two weeks when we will explore the incredible benefits of hedgerows.

But until then, thank you for your time today.

And as always, stay curious, wild ones.

This is Wildlife Matters signing off.