How to show wildlife some love this Valentine's Day
(C) Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography
Even though it’s starting to brighten up, our local wildlife still needs you to show it some love to make it through the last of the winter chill! Here's how you can make a difference for nature by taking these simple actions this Valentine’s.
(C) Chris Gomersall/2020VISION
Did you know that 14th February also marks the start of National Nest Box Week? This is because this time of year is when birds start pairing up for the new breeding season.
Natural nest sites such as holes in trees and building are quickly disappearing as people carry out home and garden improvements, but since National Nest Box Week was launched in 1997 thousands of nature-lovers across the UK have put up boxes to help compensate this loss of habitat, giving birds a home in their garden and protecting our beloved feather friends.
Melt frozen ponds
(C) Anna Williams
When ponds freeze over, toxic gases build up which can kill the fish and frogs which call it home. You can melt their hearts by checking your pond for ice every day, and if it does freeze over, carefully plan a saucepan of hot water on the surface to melt a hole.
Please avoid tipping boiling water onto the frozen pond or breaking the ice with force, as this could unintentionally harm the creatures within.
Leave out food for early rising hedgehogs
(C) Tom Marshall
If the weather’s mild, some hedgehogs will come out of hibernation early and will be particularly hungry! Show them you care by leaving out water and meat-based dog or cat food. If you leave the food out from dusk and cover or discard anything that’s left first thing in the morning, that will help to prevent any flies from laying their eggs in it!
Insects, particularly, beetles and caterpillars, are an important part of a hedgehog’s diet, so the more you’re able to attract those to your garden with native wildflowers and long grass, the more there will be for hedgehogs to tuck into when they wake up.
Make the most of our half-price membership offer!
Does wildlife make your heart flutter? Well you can show it some love for less this February, by signing up as a new member of Avon Wildlife Trust from just £1.50 a month.
Enjoy the warm glow of taking positive action for local wildlife by joining our growing community of nature-lovers – though don’t just take my word for it, this is what one of our members had to say in a recent survey:
Being a member of Avon Wildlife Trust gives me the sense of doing - in company with likeminded others - something that makes a contribution to protect the future of the natural world.
If you’re quick, you can also snap up a gift membership for your otter half this Valentine’s Day, which connects them to the wildlife they love for a whole year!