Winter Wildlife Care

During the autumn season, it is common to see squirrels, hedgehogs, and badgers out and about looking for food and shelter. Here are some tips and advice to help you care for our wonderful wildlife during these colder Autumn and winter months.

Hedgehogs:

Hedgehogs are delightful creatures that can help keep your garden free of insects and other pests. If you want to attract hedgehogs to your garden and help care for these wonderful creatures during these colder months, then there are a few things you can do to provide them with the food and resources they need to thrive.

Firstly, it’s important to provide shelter for hedgehogs. You can create your own hedgehog house using an old wooden or plastic box – click here.  Place your hedgehog house in a quiet, sheltered spot in your garden making sure it’s filled with dry leaves, straw or hay to keep the hedgehog warm and cozy.

Secondly, hedgehogs need to eat a lot to build up fat reserves for hibernation. Leave out a shallow dish of water and some Hedgehog food, which can be found on our website or in-store. You can also leave out some unsalted peanuts, sunflower seeds, and mealworms. (Don’t give them bread or milk as these can be harmful to hedgehogs.)

In terms of store-bought foods, you can purchase specially formulated hedgehog food on our website or in-store. These foods are designed to provide hedgehogs with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. 

Squirrels:

Squirrels are cute and fuzzy creatures that can bring a lot of joy to your backyard. During the autumn and winter months, it’s important to take extra care of these little guys as they prepare for the colder weather. Here are some tips for caring for squirrels during this time:

Feeding squirrels can be a fun and rewarding activity, but it’s important to know what foods are safe for them to eat. In the UK, squirrels are known to eat a variety of foods such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. One of the most popular foods to feed squirrels is peanuts which are a great source of protein and fat for squirrels. Check out our website to shop our Squirrel food mix, available in-store or online. Other nuts that squirrels enjoy include almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Make sure that the nuts are unsalted and unflavoured, as salt and other additives can be harmful to squirrels.

If you’re looking for a more natural way to feed squirrels, you can try making your own squirrel food. A simple recipe involves mixing together oats, sunflower seeds, and peanut butter. This mixture can be rolled into balls and placed in a squirrel feeder or scattered on the ground.

Badgers:

Did you know, that dogs living in rural areas are more at risk of coming into contact with badgers or badger setts, as many know, badgers can carry tuberculosis, so it’s important to keep an eye on your furry when out and about in rural areas. During the autumn and winter months, here is what you can do to help make sure your local badgers are well taken care of:

Provide a safe and warm shelter: Badgers need a place to rest and keep warm during the colder months. You can provide them with a safe and warm shelter by building a badger sett or providing them with a ready-made shelter. The shelter should be well-insulated and protected from the wind and rain.

Leave out food and water: Badgers need to eat and drink regularly, even during the colder months. You can leave out food and water for them in a safe and secure location. Badgers are omnivorous and will eat anything from fruits and vegetables to insects and worms, so you can provide them with a variety of foods.

Avoid feeding Badgers food that is harmful to them, such as bread, milk, and other dairy products. These foods can cause digestive problems and lead to malnutrition. If you prefer to feed them homemade food, you can give them boiled eggs, peanuts, and fresh fruits such as apples or pears. You can also offer them cooked meat, but make sure it is not seasoned or cooked with any harmful ingredients.