February Wildlife Gardening: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction
As the days grow longer and the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to get your garden ready for the wildlife that’s about to emerge. Here’s a guide to some of the key things you can do in February to attract and support wildlife in your garden.
What Wildlife Is Active in February?
Even though it’s still winter, there’s plenty of wildlife activity in February. Birds are starting to sing and build nests, insects are emerging from hibernation, and small mammals are foraging for food.
Plants for Wildlife
One of the best ways to attract wildlife to your garden is to plant a variety of plants that provide food and shelter. Some good choices for February include:
- Shrubs: Shrubs like dogwoods, guelder roses, and viburnums provide berries and nesting sites for birds.
- Trees: Cherry plums and pussy willows are early-blooming trees that provide nectar and pollen for insects.
- Perennials: Primroses and lungworts are early-blooming flowers that attract butterflies and bees.
Feeding Wildlife
In addition to planting wildlife-friendly plants, you can also provide food for wildlife directly. Some good options include:
- High-energy seed mixes
- Suet balls
- Homemade fat balls
- Mild grated cheese
- Suet nibbles
Creating and Maintaining Habitats
Providing food is important, but it’s also important to create and maintain habitats where wildlife can live and breed. Here are a few things you can do:
- Create a wildlife pond with a shallow end where animals can drink and bathe.
- Put up nest boxes for birds like blue tits, great tits, and robins.
- Leave areas of your garden undisturbed to provide shelter for small mammals and insects.
- Avoid using pesticides, which can harm wildlife.
Tracking Wildlife
One of the best ways to learn about the wildlife in your garden is to track it. You can do this by:
- Keeping a nature journal to record your sightings.
- Setting up a trail camera to capture photos and videos of wildlife.
- Participating in citizen science projects like the Woodland Trust’s Nature’s Calendar.
Small Mammals
There are a variety of small mammals that are common in UK gardens, including:
- Wood mice
- Common shrews
- Bank voles
- Weasels
These animals play an important role in the ecosystem by providing food for predators and helping to control pests.
Growing Greener
When sourcing plants for your wildlife garden, it’s important to choose peat-free plants. Peat bogs store vast amounts of carbon, and damaged peatland releases gases that contribute to climate change. By choosing peat-free plants, you can help keep peat in the ground where it belongs.
Conclusion
February is a great time to start thinking about wildlife gardening. By providing food, shelter, and habitat, you can attract a variety of wildlife to your garden and help them to thrive.
