What you should – and shouldn’t – leave out for wildlife over winter
The crisp chill of winter mornings often brings wildlife into sharper focus, reminding us of the resilience of our natural neighbours.
Watching birds flit between branches or spotting a fox’s tracks in the frost can lift spirits during the coldest, darkest months. But while feeding wildlife can be a rewarding way to connect with nature, and give them a helping hand, it’s important to know what’s helpful – and what’s not.
With that in mind, we've asked experts for the essentials on supporting birds, squirrels, foxes, and hedgehogs in your garden this winter.
Below is what you should and, more importantly, shouldn't leave out for wildlife during the colder months...
Garden birds
Winter is tough for British birds, especially insect-eaters, as food becomes scarce. To boost them, offer a mix of foods to suit different species. Robins and blackbirds love mealworms, finches prefer sunflower hearts, and suet or fat balls are excellent energy sources for all birds. Fresh or dried fruits, such as apples and pears, can provide much-needed sustenance.
However, some common foods can do more harm than good. “Bread provides little nutritional value for birds,” Dr Benedict Dempsey, People and Nature Adviser at WWF-UK tells Country Living. “And peanuts, while a great source of fat, should always be crushed or placed in wire containers to prevent choking.” Salted nuts are a definite no-go.
Also, think about how birds feed. Some prefer the ground, while others favour feeders, so mix up your approach to attract a wider variety. And don’t forget to keep feeding stations clean to minimise the spread of diseases.
Squirrels
If you’re lucky enough to spot a red squirrel, you can support them with hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts, sunflower seeds, or fresh fruit. But moderation is key. “Never put out too much because you don’t want them to become dependent on humans for their food,” Dr Benedict warns.
Another key consideration is the presence of grey squirrels. Red squirrels are vulnerable to the deadly squirrelpox virus, which greys carry, so it’s best not to encourage both species to visit your garden simultaneously.
Foxes
Foxes, whether urban explorers or countryside dwellers, are opportunistic feeders. Small pieces of meat, high-quality dog food, or even nuts and fresh fruit can all provide a welcome meal. But feeding foxes can be divisive. “It may make them overconfident or attract unwanted visitors like rats,” says Dr Dempsey, so keep portions small and don’t overdo it.
Be mindful of what foxes can’t eat, too. Grapes and raisins are toxic to them, so stick to safe options and never leave food where it could harm other wildlife.
Hedgehogs
As winter start turning to spring, hedgehogs emerge from hibernation for sustenance.
Wet cat food or specialist hedgehog food is ideal. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant, so avoid milk at all costs and steer clear of toxic foods like citrus fruits, grapes, and tomatoes.
Katherine Hawkins, Nature Policy Manager at The Wildlife Trusts, says: “Mammals like hedgehogs and badgers may be grateful for a bowl of wet cat or dog food. Fresh water is just as vital; break up ice in birdbaths or provide shallow bowls they can access easily."
Don’t forget water
When temperatures drop, natural water sources often freeze, leaving wildlife parched. Providing fresh water can make all the difference.
“Break up ice in bird baths each day and provide shallow bowls that all your wildlife can reach,” adds Dr Benedict.
APEMAN Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
• No glow night vision won't scare animals and decreases risk of detection
• good entry level camera
• under £100
• 20MP photos and records 1080P videos day and night
• waterproof design
• stamps photos with date, time and temperature
CEYOMUR 20MP 1080P Trail Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 36pcs IR LEDs
- Night vision motion activated
- IP66 waterproof
- 20mp photos and records great 1080p videos day and night
Victure Wildlife Trail Camera, Amazon
GardePro Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 24MP photo/H.264 1296P video resolution with sound
- 0.1s trigger speed
- 2.4” high-resolution colour screen
- 3 capture modes (photo, video, or both)
- Waterproof
Wildlife camera, Dorr at Harrison Cameras
Spypoint LINK-MICRO-LTE cellular Trail wildlife camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 10mp camera
- 0.5s trigger speed
- Up to 24.3m (80ft) detection range
- Low glow LEDs
- LTE mobile network compatible
CEYOMUR 20MP 1080P Trail Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 20MP photos/1080P video resolution
- 36pcs IR LEDs
- Night vision motion activated
- IP66 waterproof
CEYOMUR Solar Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- Solar powered - dual power supply
- 4K 30fps
- WiFi bluetooth
- 40mp
- 120° detection angle
- Night vision motion activated
- IP66 waterproof
- U3 32GB Micro SD Card
StealthCam G42NG TRIAD 10MP Scouting Camera
Wildlife camera features:
• 100ft detection range
• reflex trigger 0.5 seconds
• backlit menu programming
Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- Solar powered - dual power supply
- 24MP image/1080P video resolution
- 0.1S trigger time
- Built-in a 2500mAh rechargeable battery
- Night vision
- IP66 waterproof,rain, dust, and fog resistant
- 256GB SD Card
Green wildlife camera, Bushnell at Garden Nature
CEYOMUR Solar Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 40MP photo resolution
- Solar powered - dual power supply
- WiFi/bluetooth
- 120 degree detection angle
- Night vision motion activated
- IP66 waterproof
- U3 32GB Micro SD Card
Spypoint Force-DARK
Wildlife camera features:
• 12MP camera
• 0.07s Trigger speed
• up to 33.5m detection range
• burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
Wooden wildlife camera, Qwerkity
Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- Solar powered - dual power supply
- 24MP image/1080P video resolution
- 0.1S trigger time
- Built-in a 2500mAh rechargeable battery
- Night vision
- IP66 waterproof,rain, dust, and fog resistant
- 256GB SD Card
Campark TC06 Trail Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 60MP photo/4k video resolution
- 0.1s trigger speed
- Wifi/bluetooth
- 120 degree detection angle
- IP66 waterproof
- 3 capture modes (photo, video, or both)
StealthCam G42NG TRIAD 10MP Scouting Camera
Wildlife camera features:
• 100ft detection range
• reflex trigger 0.5 seconds
• backlit menu programming
Trail Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 32mp photos and 1080p videos
- 0.2 trigger speed
- Up to 20m (65ft) detection range
- 120° detection angle
- IP66 waterproof
- 32GB memory card
- Night vision
- Includes a wall mount, mounting belt, USB and video cable, user manual and screws
RSPB Wildlife camera
Wildlife camera features:
1080p HD colour video
14MP colour images showing date, time and temperature information
Motion sensor with 30m detection range
Timelapse mode
Less than 1 second trigger speed
Waterproof
Timelapse wildlife camera, Garden Nature
Viking nature camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080p HD colour video/12MP colour images
- Less than 0.5 second trigger speed
- Timelapse mode
- Motion sensor with 20m detection range
- Waterproof
- 58 invisible infrared LEDs for night vision
Garden Bird Feeder Camera
Wildlife camera features:
• covers an area within 30 feet
• operates during the day and night
• 1080p 2 megapixel resolution
• Waterproof cabling
• Adjustable angles
Voopeak Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 24MP image/1080P video resolution
- 0.1s trigger speed
- Solar powered/dual power supply
- Built-in a 2500mAh rechargeable battery
- Night vision
- IP66 waterproof, rain, dust, and fog resistant
- 256GB SD Card
Spypoint Force-DARK
Wildlife camera features:
-12MP camera
- 0.07s Trigger speed
- Up to 33.5m detection range
- Burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
4G LTE Wildlife Camera Solar Powered Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 2K video (HD) / SD, 3MP image
- Three night vision modes
- Can adjust 360 degree camera through the phone app
- Equipped with solar panel and built-in 8000mAh rechargeable battery
- IP66 waterproof
- Live view and can download videos remotely with no distance limit
- Compatible with iPhone and Android
usogood Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 48MP photo/4K video resolution
- 0.3 trigger speed
- 120 degree adjustable angle
- 36pcs 850nm low glow IR LEDs for night vision
- WiFi/bluetooth
- IP66 waterproof
Nest box camera system
Wildlife camera features:
• bird nest boxes only
• ultra high resolution camera with microphone - infrared black and white images by night
• no need for power source in the garden
• made in the UK with FSC timber
RSPB Nature camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080p HD colour video
- 14MP colour images showing date, time and temperature information
- Motion sensor with 30m detection range
- 40 invisible infrared LEDs delivering crisp and clear night vision
- Less than 1 second trigger time
- Timelapse mode
- Fully waterproof
Spypoint Force-DARK
Wildlife camera features:
-12MP camera
- 0.07s Trigger speed
- Up to 33.5m detection range
- Burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
Trail Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 32mp photos and 1080p videos
- 0.2 trigger speed
- Up to 20m (65ft) detection range
- 120° detection angle
- IP66 waterproof
- 32GB memory card
- Night vision
- Includes a wall mount, mounting belt, USB and video cable, user manual and screws
Wildlife trail camera, Amazon
Spypoint Force-DARK
Wildlife camera features:
- 12MP camera resolution
- 0.07s trigger speed
- Up to 33.5m detection range
- Burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
Spypoint LINK-MICRO-LTE cellular Trail wildlife camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 10mp camera
- 0.5s trigger speed
- Up to 24.3m (80ft) detection range
- Low glow LEDs
- LTE mobile network compatible
usogood Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 48MP photo/4K video resolution
- 0.3 trigger speed
- 120 degree adjustable angle
- 36pcs 850nm low glow IR LEDs for night vision
- WiFi/bluetooth
- IP66 waterproof
Garden Bird Feeder Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- Covers an area within 30 feet
- Night vision
- 1080p 2 megapixel resolution
- Waterproof cabling
- Adjustable angles
Victure Mini Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
• under £50
• 16mp resolution and 1080P HD videos with audio
• small and lightweight
• easy installation
• IP66 waterproof design
• The trigger speed of up to 0.4 seconds
Denver WCT-8020W Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080P video resolution
- 8mpixel CMOS sensor with 2.0" LCD screen
- Splash proof IP65 standard
- 108 degree sight angle
- Automatic IR lights to capture photos at night
- Wi-Fi function (30 meters distance connection and APP available)
RSPB Nature camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080p HD colour video
- 14MP colour images showing date, time and temperature information
- Motion sensor with 30m detection range
- 40 invisible infrared LEDs delivering crisp and clear night vision
- Less than 1 second trigger time
- Timelapse mode
- Fully waterproof
APEMAN Wildlife Camera Upgraded Version
Wildlife camera features:
• under £100
• 30mp clarity and 4K video resolution
• automatic day and night sensor
• fast trigger speed up to 0.2 seconds
• Improved water-resistant structure to prevent misted lens
• copes in bad weather
• 2 inch colour LCD screen
• stamps photos with date, time and temperature
Spypoint LINK-MICRO-LTE cellular Trail wildlife camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 10mp camera
- 0.5s trigger speed
- Up to 24.3m (80ft) detection range
- Low glow LEDs
- LTE mobile network compatible
Spypoint Force-DARK
Wildlife camera features:
- 12MP camera resolution
- 0.07s trigger speed
- Up to 33.5m detection range
- Burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
Nest box camera system
Wildlife camera features:
- Bird nest boxes only
- Ultra high resolution camera with microphone - infrared black and white images by night
- No need for power source in the garden
- Made in the UK with FSC timber
Solognac Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 12MP photos/1280x720P video resolution
- 1s trigger speed
- Motion detection at distances of up to 10m
- 940 nm invisible flash for night vision
- 16 GB SD card included
Denver WCT-8020W Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080P video resolution
- 8mpixel CMOS sensor with 2.0" LCD screen
- Splash proof IP65 standard
- 108 degree sight angle
- Automatic IR lights to capture photos at night
- Wi-Fi function (30 meters distance connection and APP available)
Solognac Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 12MP photos/1280x720P video resolution
- 1s trigger speed
- Motion detection at distances of up to 10m
- 940 nm invisible flash for night vision
- 16 GB SD card included
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