Helping with Hibernation 🦔

From: BirdFood UK Sep-15-2024 11:21:am

As summer turns to autumn the temperatures will start to fall and our garden wildlife will begin to turn their attention to surviving the coming winter. At this time of year food and shelter becomes more important than ever.

Hibernating animals enter a state of inactivity by slowing their heart rate and breathing and lowering their body temperature and metabolism. This means they can survive long periods without eating, but they will occasionally need to get up and look for food and go to the toilet! If the temperature is extremely cold their bodies will also wake them up if they're in danger of freezing.

To help your garden wildlife prepare for the winter months we have put together some top tips and advice on what you can do to give the wildlife that visits your garden a helping hand at this crucial time of year.

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs usually hibernate from October/November through to March/April. Ensuring they eat enough before hibernation is vital, did you know a hedgehog needs to weigh around 450g (1lb) to survive until the spring, and so putting out supplementary food throughout the next few months can be a big help.

Hedgehog Starter Set

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Hedgehog Bedding

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Hedgehog Bowl Myrte

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Finding a safe shelter to hibernate can also be challenging. We therefore offer a selection of shelters suitable for hedgehogs, simply place the shelter out on a dry surface in a sheltered and quiet spot, covering with loose leaves, branches and other natural materials.

Hedgehog Basket - Square

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Hedgehog Basket - Deluxe

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Hedgehog Basket

Grand

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Squirrels

Squirrels don't hibernate, but over the winter months are only awake for a few hours each day. September is therefore a busy time for the Squirrel population as they will be feeding up whilst also hoarding and burying food supplies in preparation for the winter months. You can help by putting out a feeder and some specialised squirrel food, and then simply sit back and let them entertain you with their magnificent acrobatic skills.

Victoria Squirrel Feeder Pack

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Squirrel

Food

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Squirrel Feeder Galiano

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Bees, Butterflies & Insects

Lacewing and Ladybird Houses need to be in position now, and Butterfly Hibernation Boxes will need to be out before the end of the month.

The majority of butterflies and moths overwinter in the larval stage, with pupae being the next most common choice followed by eggs and adults. British butterflies that overwinter as adults are Brimstone, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock, but Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock are the species most likely to use the hibernation box as Brimstone and Comma seem to prefer spending the winter securely concealed within shrubs or other vegetation.

National Trust Insect Tower

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Insect Hotel

Majorca

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Limited Edition 2021 Ithaca Butterfly House

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Garden Birds in Autumn

With the abundance of natural foods available such as fruit and seeds, bird feeding areas can be quiet throughout September. Why not use this quiet time to clean, replace and improve bird feeders and tables.

Now is also a great time to put up a nest box. Putting up a nest box in Autumn will be a welcome shelter to your garden birds during the colder evenings, plus if a nest box is used as a shelter it has a higher chance of being used over the breeding season.