How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden This Winter

A garden that’s teeming with life adds a special charm to your home, whether you’re enjoying the view from your window or getting up close to observe the busy activity of birds and insects. However, its importance goes beyond aesthetics—especially as natural habitats continue to decline, and winter makes survival challenging for local wildlife. By creating a wildlife-friendly environment in your garden, you’re helping support the creatures that rely on these spaces for food, shelter, and safety.

Here are some easy but impactful ways to encourage more wildlife into your garden:

1. Provide Food & Shelter for Birds

To truly attract birds year-round, you need to offer more than just food. A bird-friendly garden should include water, shelter, and safe nesting sites to ensure they can thrive in every season. During the winter months, providing supplementary food can be a lifesaver for many birds. The best way to do this is by investing in a bird table or feeder that offers easy access to nourishment.

When it comes to feeding, make sure you’re offering the right foods—different birds have different preferences! We stock a variety of bird food to help you choose what’s best. And don’t forget the water—fresh drinking water is just as essential, especially in colder months. A simple bowl of water, regularly topped up, will help keep your feathered friends hydrated.

      Ambassador Small Birds Nesting Box    Beach Hut Seed Feeder – Grey               Window Bird Feeder

2. Grow Wildflowers to Attract Bees and Butterflies

Wildflowers aren’t just beautiful—they’re also incredibly important for pollinators like bees and butterflies, whose populations are in decline. As we approach 2021, wildflowers are expected to continue their rise in popularity, so you’ll be creating a garden that’s both trendy and beneficial. Certain plants, like Buddleia (Summer Lilac), are particularly popular with butterflies. Opt for native species with open flowers, which provide easy access for bees to gather nectar.

                   Bug & Bee Tower                Complete Wild Wings Feeding Station

3. Add a Water Feature or Pond for Biodiversity

A water feature or pond is a wonderful addition to any garden, offering both aesthetic beauty and ecological value. It can attract a variety of creatures, from frogs and dragonflies to fish, adding an extra layer of life to your outdoor space. Don’t forget to include plants like water lilies or broad-leaf pondweed to enhance the habitat beneath the water’s surface, providing shelter and food for aquatic life.

Water features and ponds also serve as natural, calming focal points, creating a peaceful atmosphere in your garden that you—and your visitors—will appreciate.