November 19, 2025 • 41 mins
In this week’s Wildlife Matters podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating world of winter wildlife care in our gardens. Discover essential practices that not only nourish your garden’s ecosystem but also provide a haven for local creatures during the frosty months ahead.
We’ll share a treasure trove of tips—ranging from creating cosy shelters to offering vital sustenance—that embrace the principle of minimal intervention. Our goal is to ensure that your garden remains a thriving sanctuary for wildlife, even when the temperatures dip.
But that’s not all! We take time to unwind with our Wildlife Matters Mindful Moments, where you can immerse yourself in the gentle sounds of late autumn—a soothing escape that fosters tranquillity and a profound connection to nature’s rhythms.
In our Nature News, we’ll bring you the latest stories from the world of wildlife and conservation. From groundbreaking conservation efforts to inspiring reintroduction successes, these updates highlight the remarkable strides being made to protect our planet’s biodiversity.
Join us on this journey as we enhance the well-being of our garden ecosystems while revelling in the serene beauty of the natural world around us. Tune in and let’s celebrate the wonders of wildlife together!
Takeaways:
- In this episode of the Wildlife Matters podcast, we provide essential guidance on nurturing wildlife within your garden and wildlife pond during the winter months.
- We discuss the importance of maintaining a clean wildlife pond to prevent the accumulation of harmful gases beneath the ice, which can endanger aquatic life.
- Prudent management of fallen leaves in the pond is necessary to prevent excessive algae growth, which can deplete oxygen levels and harm aquatic ecosystems.
- Listeners are encouraged to create a welcoming environment for local wildlife by leaving parts of their garden wild and untidy, thus supporting biodiversity during challenging winter months.
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation
- Trees for Life
- Surrey Wildlife Trust
- Bugs Life
- Painshill Park Trust
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:24):
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Podcast podcast
where we're looking at thesecond part in our new series The
Wildlife Matters Guide 2.
And today we're sharing tipsand guidance on how to help your
garden wildlife by lookingafter your wildlife garden and your
wildlife garden pond this winter.
(00:47):
Then it's time to wind downand immerse yourself as you join
us in celebrating some of thesounds of late autumn autumn in this
week's Wildlife Mattersmindful moment.
But first, on this week'sWildlife Matters podcast, it's time
to take a look at the storiesfrom the world of wildlife nature
(01:07):
that have caught our attentionin this week's Wildlife Matters Nature
News.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News
(01:30):
where we take a closer look atsome of the wildlife and nature stories
that have caught our attentionin the last week.
And our first story is theexciting sighting of a white tailed
eagle in Sussex.
On Tuesday morning, November11, a white tailed eagle, also known
as a sea eagle, was spottedspotted in the Ashdown Forest.
(01:55):
The impressive bird wasspotted by Kent resident Michael
Tully at the Old Lodge Nature Reserve.
Michael told Wildlife Mattersthat it flew overhead, perched on
a tree and then flew off again.
He also added that it was huge.
Michael reported his sightingand shared his pictures with the
(02:17):
Roy Dennis Wildlife foundationwhich confirmed that the bird was
in fact a female white tailedeagle recognized by a tag on her
leg and confirmed that she hadfledged from the Isle of Wight in
2021.
The white tailed eagle is oneof the UK's largest birds of prey.
(02:38):
Once driven to the brink ofextinction due to persecution, these
majestic birds have been successful.
Successfully reintroduced inScotland and more recently on the
Isle of Wight.
They are sometimes referred toas sea eagles and primarily prey
on fish, small mammals and birds.
In the 1970s the white tailedeagle was reintroduced from Norway
(03:02):
and over a hundred pairs nownest in Scotland.
These eagles have broaderwings than golden eagles.
Adults have a distinctiondistinctive white wedged shaped tail
and a pale head accompanied bya large yellow bill and they are
typically found near coastal areas.
In 2019, 37 White TailedEagles were released on the Isle
(03:25):
of Wight.
These birds, which can have awingspan of up to 2.5 meters or 8.2ft,
are being monitored by the RoyDennis Wildlife foundation and according
to the Sussex Wildlife Trust,Old Lodge Nature Reserve is located
in the heart of the AshdownForest and has a character that is
(03:47):
subtly yet noticeablydifferent from the true lowland heat
that surrounds it, such asiping common.
The geology in this areadiffers slightly but more significantly,
Old Lodge is situated about500ft higher which makes it considerably
cooler and the atmosphere ofOld Lodge resembles that of a region
(04:09):
one might associate with thenorthwest of Britain, which may be
what attracted the femalewhite tailed eagle to the site.
Our second story takes us toScotland where the charity Trees
for Life is set to launch anew missing species program for the
Highlands.
Bringing back lynx, beaver,red squirrels and modern day oryx
(04:34):
will benefit landscapes,climate and communities by reintroducing
four of Scotland's lostkeystone species to the Scottish
Highlands.
The project aims to addressthe nature and climate emergencies
whilst generating significantbenefits for communities including
through nature tourism.
(04:55):
According to the rewildingcharity, this ambitious program will
require 3.6 million to fundits first five years and achieve
its aims including detailedhabitat assessments and community
engagement to meet withScotland's strict licensing requirements.
Alongside a supporter appeallaunch this month to raise the initial
(05:18):
25,000 to start theinitiative, Trees for Life is reaching
out to major funds fundersincluding individuals, businesses,
foundations and grant makingbodies to help resource the ambitious
new program Keystone speciesplay a vital role in healthy living
ecosystems still, many suchspecies are now entirely or mostly
(05:42):
missing from Scotland, Treesfor Life's Chief executive Steve
Micklewhite told Wildlife Matters.
By bringing back the forest,planting a red squirrel, flood preventing
beaver, deer managing lynx andlandscape shaping oryx through their
modern day descendants withtauros we can restore nature at scale
(06:03):
and breathe new life into theHighlands so people and wildlife
can thrive together.
Returning these fourimportant, carefully chosen architects
of the wild is aboutrestarting the natural engines of
Scotland's ecosystems,boosting biodiversity, climate action
and local economies and givingpeople the chance to discover the
(06:28):
wonder of a wilder landscape.
The Highlands can become abeacon of hope in the fight against
extinction and wildlife loss.
Ensuring successfulcoexistence between wildlife and
people is crucial to the project.
This includes throughcommunity discussion, discussions,
management measures andproviding opportunities for local
(06:51):
people to enjoy the social andeconomic benefits.
Successful speciesreintroductions in Scotland require
extensive and technical workincluding habitat assessment and
engagement with stakeholdersto meet the standards set by Nature
Scot, Scotland's nature agency.
(07:11):
This allows nature to recoverwhile promoting coexistence with
between people and wildlifeand ensuring species find their rightful
place.
Beavers play a crucial role increating wetlands that support wildlife,
purify water and reduce flooding.
Officially reintroduced InScotland in 2009 after being hunted
(07:35):
to extinction 400 yearsearlier, beavers have been restored
to only a few locations to todate they are still absent from much
of their suitable Habitat, apartnership project between Trees
for Life and Forestry and LandScotland, led to the historic reintroduction
of beavers to Glen Africa in October.
(07:57):
Additionally, a communitydiscussion facilitated by Trees for
Life and the Beaver Trust isexploring the possibility of returning
beavers to the Alokh Ness area.
The elusive Eurasian lynx,which poses no threat to humans,
plays a vital role in managingdeer population by preying on them.
(08:18):
This natural control helpsyoung trees to thrive and supports
the regeneration of woodlands.
Scotland, where lynx weredriven to extinction during the Middle
Ages, is one of the fewcountries in their historical range
that still lacks this species.
Research suggests that theHighlands have suitable habitats
(08:38):
that could sustain a breedingpopulation of around 250 lynx.
Trees for Life hascollaborated with various stakeholders
over the past five years toassess the potential impacts of lynx
reintroduction, includingconcerns about sheep predation and
the benefits of ecotourism.
(09:00):
The organization is nowpreparing for further local discussions
throughout 2026.
Tauros are classified asdomestic cattle, but they do not
represent an equivalent breed.
In the Netherlands, scientistshave been back breeding them to resemble
the ancient oryx, the wildancestor of all domestic cattle.
(09:22):
For millennia, oryx played acrucial role in shaping landscapes
and enhancing biodiversitythroughout Europe, including Scotland.
Trees for Life is conductingassessments at its 4,000 hectare
Dundragon estate near LochNess, preparing for what would be
the UK's first introduction ofa herd of Tauros, effectively reintroducing
(09:44):
the Orochs four centuriesafter their extinction.
Research in Europe indicatesthat tauros are larger and more active
than other cattle, can createricher habitats through their intense
grazing, sheer size and behavior.
Bulls can reach heights of upto 180cm whilst cows can reach 150cm
(10:08):
at their shoulder at Dundragon.
Their role in ecologicalrestoration will be studied scientifically.
Red squirrels in the UK werepushed to the brink of extinct extinction
due to historic habitat lossand persecution by humans.
Current estimates suggesttheir population ranges from 160,000
(10:31):
to as much as 287,000 individuals.
Unfortunately, Red squirrelsare still absent from much of the
Highlands, which is one oftheir last strongholds.
Trees for Life has activelyrelocated red squirrels to woodlands
in the northern Highlands thatthe animals are unable to access
(10:51):
on their own.
To date, this effort hasyielded the establishment of 13 new
thriving populations.
The charity is exploring waysto establish new populations of red
squirrels, which will help inthe natural regeneration of woodlands
by burying caches of treeseeds such as acorns and hazelnuts.
(11:14):
And in our third story, we'relearning more about Surrey's Space
for Nature project, whichutilizes science, satellite data
and community science toprotect biodiversity across the county.
The project is currently beingshowcased by the British government
at the COP30 UK pavilion in Brazil.
(11:35):
The display forms part of theUK's official presentation of Research
and Innovation Tackling GlobalClimate and Nature Challenges.
It's co led by the Universityof South Surrey's center for Environment
and Sustainability incollaboration with the Surrey Wildlife
Trust, Bugs Life and thePainshill Park Trust.
(11:58):
Space for Nature bringstogether scientists, local communities
and conservation groups to mapand monitor important habitats across
Surrey.
These habitats include chalkgrasslands, heathlands and assailants
grasslands that support someof the nation's rarest species.
(12:18):
The project utilizes advancedsatellite imagery and artificial
intelligence that has beentrained using data from local volunteers.
This allows space for Natureto classify habitats to Level 4 of
the UK HAB system, resultingin one of the most detailed environmental
maps of its kind.
(12:39):
This initiative enablesconservation partners to identify
areas where biodiversity is atrisk and to concentrate their restoration
efforts.
For example, they work onreconnecting fragmented chalk grasslands,
often referred to as therainforests of Europe due to their
significant carbon storagecapabilities and rich biodiversity.
(13:02):
Surrey Wildlife Trust plays akey role in the Space for Nature
project by leading its citizenscience program, training volunteers
and coordinating thecollection of field data that supports
satellite and AI mapping.
The Trust's on the groundexpertise bridges technology and
conservation, transforminglocal knowledge into essential data
(13:25):
for protecting the landscapeof Surrey.
Dr. Anna Andries, Lecturer inRemote Sen Sensing and GIS at the
University of Surrey and theproject's lead, told Wildlife, we're
using satellite data andartificial intelligence in a way
that directly supportsconservation on the ground.
(13:46):
Citizen scientists help trainour machines learning models, thus
turning local field data intohigh resolution habitat maps that
reveal where biodiversity isunder threat.
To see Our work featured onthe Global Stage at COP30 highlights
how our region's innovationand collaboration can help shape
(14:07):
the future of biodiversity monitoring.
Andrew Jamieson, Space forNature Project Manager at the Surrey
Wildlife Trust, told us it'stime for conservation organizations
like ours to step outsidetraditional boundaries and focus
not just on land managementand individual skills species recovery,
(14:28):
but also on delivering thetools and partnerships that will
drive change on a landscape scale.
This project exemplifies thatapproach that has been this week's
Wildlife Matters Nature News.
(14:57):
We were thrilled to becontacted about the sighting of a
white tailed eagle in theAshdown Forest.
I have been fortunate enoughto see these magnificent birds in
Scotland, where theirimpressive size and elegance in flight
is truly captivating, but I'venever been able to see one in the
south of England.
(15:18):
We're excited about theongoing rewilding initiatives and
species introduction effortsin Scotland, Scotland's Highlands
and across the rest of the uk.
And we will keep you updatedon the Trees for Life project as
it develops from exploring ourpast to shaping the future of wildlife
and nature conservation.
(15:39):
Nature News covers a widerange of topics related to the natural
world, including theinnovative work being done by the
Surrey's Space for Nature project.
But now it's time to unwindand relax.
Join us as we take you to ourwildlife garden in the late autumn.
(16:00):
With the longer nightssettling in, this is an important
time for you to support andhelp your wildlife.
So now let's settle in andenjoy the soothing late afternoon
sounds of the Wildlife Mattersrewilding garden on this week's Wildlife
Matters mindful moment.
(16:42):
RA we still have many birdvisitors to the Wildlife Garden throughout
(17:26):
the year, but in late autumnit is often those hardy species that
spend the winter with us, suchas the blackbird who was the star
of this audio supported by thecollared dove and of course a chorus
of sparrows who always haveplenty to talk about with each other
and all for your relaxationand pleasure on this week's Wildlife
(17:51):
Matters.
Mindful moments.
But now it's time for theWildlife Matters main feature and
to the second in our series ofthe Wildlife Matters guides too,
with another double featurewhere this week we share hints and
tips of how to make yourgarden a haven for wildlife this
winter.
(18:11):
And in the part two we sharehow to keep your wildlife pond and
all the wildlife that reliesupon it in tip top condition through
winter.
And that's all coming up nexton this week's Wildlife Matters main
feature.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters main feature
(18:35):
and today it's all aboutessential tips for nurturing wildlife
in your garden this winter.
An easy way to look afterwildlife in winter is actually for
you to do less with yourgarden than you usually would.
That means to avoid pruningberry or fruit bearing bushes or
(18:56):
trees in your garden,especially as these provide indispensable
food for birds over the darkcold winter months and allow twigs
and leaves and sticks to pileup under hedges or in the borders
as this can provide a cozyhome for hedgehogs and dormice to
(19:16):
hibernate and a wonderfulplace for insects to hide out over
winter.
Those insects will in turn bebecome food for the birds who will
feast by picking at the leavesin your garden or balcony.
Leave a corner to collectleaves which will provide vital shelter
for overwintering insects, andas winter sets in, the landscape
(19:41):
transforms into a cold andstark environment, presenting significant
challenges for wildlife tryingto survive.
With temperatures plummetingand natural food sources becoming
scarce, many animals willstruggle to find sustenance and shelter.
Your actions can make a bigdifference in the survival of your
(20:06):
local wildlife during thedarker, colder months of winter.
By creating a welcoming havenfor creatures that inhabit your garden,
you are playing a crucial rolein supporting biodiversity and natural
behaviors.
So here are some practicalstrategies you can implement to create
(20:27):
a welcoming haven for wildlifein your garden this winter.
Let your garden go wild.
Consider leaving certain areasof your garden untouched.
A natural accumulation ofleaves and log piles can transform
your garden into a sanctuary,offering cozy nesting spots for small
(20:50):
animals seeking refuge.
These hidden corners provideperfect resting places and hibernation
spots, ensuring that wildlifecan find safety and warmth during
the chilly months ahead.
So by postponing your gardentidying tasks until early spring,
(21:11):
you not only enrich theecosystem, but also you create vital
shelter for insects to thrivethrough the winter's grasp.
This practice also promotesbiodiversity and helps maintain a
healthy ecosystem in your garden.
If you have a compost heap,you've created a thriving habitat
(21:33):
for a variety of fascinating creatures.
This pile of organic mattercan become an inviting home for toads,
grass snakes, and even theelusive slow worms, all of which
contribute to the richbiodiversity of your garden.
Embracing a more naturalapproach can significantly enhance
(21:53):
your garden's role as a refugefor wildlife.
By allowing certain areas togo wild, you create a diverse ecosystem
that can support a wide rangeof species, from insects to small
mammals.
This not only enriches yourgarden, but also contributes to the
overall biodiversity of yourlocal area.
(22:15):
If the surface of your gardenpond becomes a solid sheet of ice
during the winter months, it'svital to create an opening in that
ice.
The reason is that when a pondfreezes over, harmful gases like
methane can accumulate beneaththe surface.
These gases pose a seriousthreat to the fish and frogs that
(22:37):
may be hibernating at thebottom of the pond, as they can be
toxic and even fatal to theaquatic life.
To safely create a hole in theice, one effective method is to carefully
place a pan filled with hotwater on the frozen surface.
This will gradually melt theice, creating a hole without causing
(23:00):
a sudden temperature changethat could harm the pond's inhabitants.
It's essential to avoidforcefully breaking the ice or pouring
boiling water directly intothe pond, as this sudden temperature
change can harm or even killany frogs hiding beneath the surface.
Alternatively, you couldintroduce a floating object such
(23:24):
as a football into the pondthat will stop the whole of the pond
from freezing over.
This simple addition will helpto create an air pocket, allowing
for an exchange of gases andpreventing the entire surface of
the water from freezing solid,which is crucial for the health of
your pond's inhabitants and ecosystem.
(23:47):
For additional tips andstrategies on nurturing your wildlife
pond during the harsher wintermonths, we will bring you a new Wildlife
Matters guide to wildlifegarden ponds in winter later in this
series.
Feeding the Garden Birdsduring the chilly winter months,
many birds face significantchallenges in locating natural food
(24:10):
sources such as berries,fruits, seeds, insects and worms.
But you can make a realdifference by putting out a little
extra nourishment for them.
Consider offering an enticingmix of seeds, fresh unsalted peanuts
that provide essential energy,and seasonal fruits like crisp apples
(24:31):
and succulent pears that willbe a delight to their taste buds.
Additionally, dried or waxmealworms are a popular treat among
garden birds, and they can bepurchased from specialized bird food
suppliers.
As the winter continues andnatural food options dwindle, both
the resident British birds andmigrating winter visitors will increasingly
(24:55):
turn to your feeders for their food.
Always provide fresh water astemperatures fall below freezing,
wildlife faces significantchallenges in finding clean, fresh
water sources.
This can lead to dehydrationand other health issues for birds
and small animals that rely onthese resources for their very survival.
(25:18):
Providing fresh water inwinter is crucial for the survival
of wildlife as it helps themstay hydrated and healthy during
during the harsh winter months.
To support your local gardenwildlife, consider placing a shallow
bowl filled with fresh wateroutside each night.
It's essential to choose abowl that is wide and shallow, making
(25:42):
it easier for animals toaccess the water and making it safer
for any who venture in to thewater, it makes sure that they can
get back out.
To keep the water fromfreezing completely over, you can
add a brick or a stone insidethe bowl.
This provides a convenientperching spot for birds and helps
(26:03):
minimize the likelihood ofwater completely freezing over, allowing
wildlife to hydrate moreeasily even when it's in freezing
temperature.
Regularly replenishing thewater will ensure that it remains
a fresh and viable source foryour local wildlife.
You can also attract moregarden visitors by using the right
(26:26):
food.
During the chilly wintermonths, food becomes scarce for many
forms of wildlife, making yourgarden a vital refuge for them.
By offering thoughtful andappropriate treats, you can attract
a variety of mammals to youroutdoor space.
Imagine the joy of seeing someof these creatures visiting your
(26:47):
garden, adding a new anddelightful dimension to your winter
landscape.
For foxes, they'reopportunistic omnivores, which means
that they will eat a widerange of food.
You can provide a mix ofdelicious offerings such as sausages,
cheese, boiled potatoes,crunchy carrots, tender chicken pieces,
(27:10):
jam and peanut buttersandwiches, and even eggs left whole
and in their shells uncookedfor squirrels.
Unlike many of their fellowmammals, squirrels remain active
throughout the winter, cachingfood in the autumn months for future
use.
To help sustain them, offer anassortment of nutritious nuts including
(27:32):
hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds.
They also enjoy the freshtaste of chopped apple, beans, carrots
and leafy spinach, perfect fortheir energetic lifestyle.
If you have badgers nearby,these nocturnal foragers face a tough
challenge when the groundfreezes, making it hard to find their
(27:54):
favorite food, which is earthworms.
You can support them though byproviding hearty options such as
sausages, cheese, protein richeggs boiled or uncooked in their
shells, boiled potatoes,crunchy carrots, and a selection
of fruits such as apples,pears and plums.
(28:16):
These are all nutritioustreats for badgers and for hedgehogs.
Our spiky little gardenvisitors appreciate a good meal,
especially during the winter months.
Offer them dried dog or catfood to provide essential nutrients
for variety.
Consider adding wet sachetsand you can include fish based options
(28:39):
which are not only tasty, butwill also be beneficial in their
range of nutrients and vitamins.
Hedgehogs will also happilymunch on eggs, providing protein
to their diet.
One important note though isto always avoid giving milk or other
dairy produce to wildlife.
Most adult mammals are lactoseintolerant, including humans, and
(29:03):
consuming milk can to severediarrhea and potentially life threatening
conditions for wildlife duringthe frigid winter months.
Instead, always ensure freshwater is available in a shallow bowl
providing them with a crucialsource of hydration.
It's also important toestablish a routine feed the wildlife
(29:27):
at dusk and keep a consistentfeeding schedule.
Don't offer large amounts offood as it is crucial to avoid making
wildlife dependent on yourhuman handouts.
No matter how quickly yourwild visitors may eat the food you've
put out, leave out only enoughfood for one meal, which ensures
(29:49):
they consume it in one sittingrather than relying on a constant
supply.
For instance, when feedingbirds off a handful of seeds or or
small amount of peanuts, avoidplacing large quantities out each
evening to prevent theoverfeeding and promote their natural
foraging instincts.
(30:11):
Do let us know if you try anyof these tips and how it's worked
for the wildlife in yourgarden this year.
We hope the help of thisWildlife Matters guide will help
you feel inspired to supportand nurture your garden's wildlife
during this beautiful yetchallenging winter season.
(30:32):
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
In the second part of ourWildlife Matters main feature, we're
sharing some essential tipsfor caring for your wildlife pond
during the winter months.
As winter settles in, yourpond may appear calm and lifeless,
(30:54):
but it remains a crucialhabitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
Have you ever wondered whathappens to the lively creatures that
thrive around your garden pondwhen the winter arrives?
While we often focus onhibernating mammals or feeding birds
during the colder months, it'sreally easy to overlook the bustling
(31:15):
life beneath the water's surface.
Even when a pond looks still,it teems with unseen activity just
waiting to be discovered.
So to help you keep yourwildlife pond healthy and vibrant
this winter, Wildlife Mattershas created our guide with some top
tips for you to follow.
(31:36):
The first is to manage yourfallen leaves.
As leaves fall and land in thewildlife pond, they settle on the
surface, but they will soonsink to the bottom of your pond and
decompose into a new, nutrientrich sludge.
While this may initially soundbeneficial, it can actually lead
(31:58):
to excessive algae growth thatwe need to avoid.
So make a point of clearingthe leaves from your pond regularly
and adding them to your leaf compost.
You don't want to put largeamounts of wet leaves into the leaf
mold pile at any one time,which is why this job is better done
a little and on often.
(32:18):
You also need to controlexcessive algae growth, which is
a big problem for ponds as itdepletes oxygen that harms aquatic
life and reduces the water quality.
Thick algae blooms can blocksunlight, stunting the growth of
beneficial plants, and as theybreak down, they can create dead
(32:39):
zones in the pond due to thelower oxygen levels.
And always stay alert becausesome algae, such as blue green algae,
can produce toxins that areharmful to both wildlife and humans.
It's crucial that you remainvigilant to any unexpected color
changes in the water to ensurethe safety of your pond's inhabitants.
(33:04):
But by taking these simplesteps, you can ensure your wildlife
pond remains a thrivingsanctuary for wildlife, even in the
the coldest of winter months.
In recent years, manygardeners have simply discarded their
garden waste, which accountsfor approximately 20% of the waste
(33:24):
that is sent to landfill.
Historically, garden leaveshave been raked up and stored to
make leaf mold.
Composting fallen leavescreates a nutrient rich, crumbly
organic matter that cansignificantly improve your garden
soil and this enriched matterbenefits your vegetables and flowers.
(33:46):
It supports a healthier plantgrowth by maintaining soil moisture
levels.
And oxygenating plants are anexcellent way to maintain a balanced
and healthy ecosystem in yourwildlife pond.
They're often referred to asoxygenators, but they are the ideal
choice for promoting thehealth of your wildlife pond because
(34:08):
these plants not only increasethe oxygen levels but also create
safe habitats for aquatic wildlife.
They also make a sufficientsupply of oxygen, which enhances
the health and well being ofall the wildlife, as well as promoting
beneficial bacteria.
Oxygenators help remove excessnutrients such as nitrates, which
(34:29):
can reduce algae growth,improving the pond's appearance and
creating a positiveenvironment for the pond's inhabitants.
Wildlife Matters recommends avariety of native aquatic plants
that can oxygenate the water,such as spiked water milfoil and
water starwort, as these helpmitigate the effects of decaying
(34:51):
organic matter.
And here are some other plantsthat we recommend you take a look
at.
Water violets Theseoxygenators bloom with attractive
flowers from May through June.
They should be planted in theshallow areas of your pond, but can
grow deeper as needed.
Water violets thrive whenfully submerged and can tolerate
(35:13):
direct sunlight.
Water weed, or Elodia densa,is a popular choice for new ponds
as water weed grows quicklyand helps to control algae.
It also adapts quickly to newpond setups.
Horwart, which is a UK nativeoxygenating plant, remains fully
submerged underwater.
(35:35):
It grows quickly and looselyduring the late spring and early
summer before sinking to thebottom in winter before it repeats
the cycle in the following year.
Water CROWFOOT Known for itslovely aesthetic, water crowfoot
produces small white flowersthat enhance the beauty of any wildlife
(35:55):
pond.
These flowers bloom betweenApril and June and the plants should
be planted in small clusterswith the soil up to 60cm deep.
For optimal results, it isgenerally recommended to have two
or three oxygenating plantsper square meter of pond surface.
But you don't want toovercrowd your pond with too many
(36:18):
plants as this can have anegative effect effect as they use
oxygen at night, which may befatal for any wildlife.
Also using your pond for mostof us, the motivation for rewilding
our garden is that it's betterfor nature and wildlife, and it is.
It also has positive effectson biodiversity.
(36:40):
In the Wildlife Matterswildlife garden, we simply leave
more seed heads standing intowinter and this has resulted in a
noticeable increase in birdand insect activity.
We create leaf piles, compostbins, log piles and long grass, which
are all essential habitats formammals, reptiles and amphibians,
(37:04):
frogs and smooth newts.
Often hibernate in thesemicrohabitats where temperatures
will remain stable, therebyprotecting them from predators and
harsh weather conditions.
Bringing the focus back to ourwildlife pond on cold winter mornings.
One of the most critical stepsof pond care is keeping a portion
(37:26):
of the pond surface ice freeas getting trapped in an ice layer
is one of the biggest threatsto pond wildlife.
A frozen surface can trapharmful gases and deprived creatures
in your nature pond of oxygen.
If it does freeze over, do notattempt to break the ice with a stick
(37:47):
or stone or pour boiling wateronto its surface as both these methods
can harm wildlife.
Breaking the ice can createvibrations in the water that may
well injure the wildlife inthere, whilst adding boiling water
can increase their heart rateat torpor, also impacting on the
(38:08):
creature's well being.
To make a breathing hole,consider placing a small ball or
a pond ornament on the water'ssurface which will help prevent the
whole pond from freezing over.
This will allow frogs, newtsand other species to leave the pond
in search of food whilst alsofacilitating the diffusion of gases
(38:29):
from the water and allowingentry of oxygen into the water.
It's also important to keepthe edges of your pond clear of ice
as this provides a safe areafor your garden birds and small mammals
to bathe and to drink freshwater without any risk of slipping
into the cold water.
(38:50):
We hope these tips will helpyour wildlife pond thrive this winter
and inspire some of you tocreate a new wildlife pond.
Late autumn is the ideal timeof the year to do it as the ground
hasn't frozen yet and wildlifeis busy busy preparing for winter.
So now you have the perfectopportunity to create your new wildlife
(39:15):
garden pond.
So go do it.
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
We hope you are finding ourguide to these two series to be helpful
and that it will help you andyour garden wildlife this winter.
(39:39):
As discussed, now is the idealtime to build your wildlife pond.
If you don't have one, itdoesn't need to be big.
Anything from a Belfast sinkthrough to a small lake provides
so many benefits for the localwildlife and a small sink sized project
can be completed completed ina day or definitely in a weekend.
(40:01):
So why not get creative andbuild yours this weekend?
From today we are sharing ourtop 10 most listened to episodes
in reverse order until wereveal our number one on Christmas
Eve.
So please do share yourfavorites with friends, family and
colleagues and let us know ifyour favourite episode is him.
(40:25):
The top 10 sharing reallyhelps others to find us so please
follow like and share onsocial media.
We now have a vibrantcommunity on threads and Instagram,
in addition to our longestablished Facebook group.
And welcome to our growingBlue sky community.
(40:46):
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks when we will explore
the incredible benefits of hedgerows.
But until then, thank you foryour time today.
And as always, stay curious,wild ones.
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Podcast podcast
where we're looking at thesecond part in our new series The
Wildlife Matters Guide 2.
And today we're sharing tipsand guidance on how to help your
garden wildlife by lookingafter your wildlife garden and your
wildlife garden pond this winter.
(00:47):
Then it's time to wind downand immerse yourself as you join
us in celebrating some of thesounds of late autumn autumn in this
week's Wildlife Mattersmindful moment.
But first, on this week'sWildlife Matters podcast, it's time
to take a look at the storiesfrom the world of wildlife nature
(01:07):
that have caught our attentionin this week's Wildlife Matters Nature
News.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters Nature News
(01:30):
where we take a closer look atsome of the wildlife and nature stories
that have caught our attentionin the last week.
And our first story is theexciting sighting of a white tailed
eagle in Sussex.
On Tuesday morning, November11, a white tailed eagle, also known
as a sea eagle, was spottedspotted in the Ashdown Forest.
(01:55):
The impressive bird wasspotted by Kent resident Michael
Tully at the Old Lodge Nature Reserve.
Michael told Wildlife Mattersthat it flew overhead, perched on
a tree and then flew off again.
He also added that it was huge.
Michael reported his sightingand shared his pictures with the
(02:17):
Roy Dennis Wildlife foundationwhich confirmed that the bird was
in fact a female white tailedeagle recognized by a tag on her
leg and confirmed that she hadfledged from the Isle of Wight in
2021.
The white tailed eagle is oneof the UK's largest birds of prey.
(02:38):
Once driven to the brink ofextinction due to persecution, these
majestic birds have been successful.
Successfully reintroduced inScotland and more recently on the
Isle of Wight.
They are sometimes referred toas sea eagles and primarily prey
on fish, small mammals and birds.
In the 1970s the white tailedeagle was reintroduced from Norway
(03:02):
and over a hundred pairs nownest in Scotland.
These eagles have broaderwings than golden eagles.
Adults have a distinctiondistinctive white wedged shaped tail
and a pale head accompanied bya large yellow bill and they are
typically found near coastal areas.
In 2019, 37 White TailedEagles were released on the Isle
(03:25):
of Wight.
These birds, which can have awingspan of up to 2.5 meters or 8.2ft,
are being monitored by the RoyDennis Wildlife foundation and according
to the Sussex Wildlife Trust,Old Lodge Nature Reserve is located
in the heart of the AshdownForest and has a character that is
(03:47):
subtly yet noticeablydifferent from the true lowland heat
that surrounds it, such asiping common.
The geology in this areadiffers slightly but more significantly,
Old Lodge is situated about500ft higher which makes it considerably
cooler and the atmosphere ofOld Lodge resembles that of a region
(04:09):
one might associate with thenorthwest of Britain, which may be
what attracted the femalewhite tailed eagle to the site.
Our second story takes us toScotland where the charity Trees
for Life is set to launch anew missing species program for the
Highlands.
Bringing back lynx, beaver,red squirrels and modern day oryx
(04:34):
will benefit landscapes,climate and communities by reintroducing
four of Scotland's lostkeystone species to the Scottish
Highlands.
The project aims to addressthe nature and climate emergencies
whilst generating significantbenefits for communities including
through nature tourism.
(04:55):
According to the rewildingcharity, this ambitious program will
require 3.6 million to fundits first five years and achieve
its aims including detailedhabitat assessments and community
engagement to meet withScotland's strict licensing requirements.
Alongside a supporter appeallaunch this month to raise the initial
(05:18):
25,000 to start theinitiative, Trees for Life is reaching
out to major funds fundersincluding individuals, businesses,
foundations and grant makingbodies to help resource the ambitious
new program Keystone speciesplay a vital role in healthy living
ecosystems still, many suchspecies are now entirely or mostly
(05:42):
missing from Scotland, Treesfor Life's Chief executive Steve
Micklewhite told Wildlife Matters.
By bringing back the forest,planting a red squirrel, flood preventing
beaver, deer managing lynx andlandscape shaping oryx through their
modern day descendants withtauros we can restore nature at scale
(06:03):
and breathe new life into theHighlands so people and wildlife
can thrive together.
Returning these fourimportant, carefully chosen architects
of the wild is aboutrestarting the natural engines of
Scotland's ecosystems,boosting biodiversity, climate action
and local economies and givingpeople the chance to discover the
(06:28):
wonder of a wilder landscape.
The Highlands can become abeacon of hope in the fight against
extinction and wildlife loss.
Ensuring successfulcoexistence between wildlife and
people is crucial to the project.
This includes throughcommunity discussion, discussions,
management measures andproviding opportunities for local
(06:51):
people to enjoy the social andeconomic benefits.
Successful speciesreintroductions in Scotland require
extensive and technical workincluding habitat assessment and
engagement with stakeholdersto meet the standards set by Nature
Scot, Scotland's nature agency.
(07:11):
This allows nature to recoverwhile promoting coexistence with
between people and wildlifeand ensuring species find their rightful
place.
Beavers play a crucial role increating wetlands that support wildlife,
purify water and reduce flooding.
Officially reintroduced InScotland in 2009 after being hunted
(07:35):
to extinction 400 yearsearlier, beavers have been restored
to only a few locations to todate they are still absent from much
of their suitable Habitat, apartnership project between Trees
for Life and Forestry and LandScotland, led to the historic reintroduction
of beavers to Glen Africa in October.
(07:57):
Additionally, a communitydiscussion facilitated by Trees for
Life and the Beaver Trust isexploring the possibility of returning
beavers to the Alokh Ness area.
The elusive Eurasian lynx,which poses no threat to humans,
plays a vital role in managingdeer population by preying on them.
(08:18):
This natural control helpsyoung trees to thrive and supports
the regeneration of woodlands.
Scotland, where lynx weredriven to extinction during the Middle
Ages, is one of the fewcountries in their historical range
that still lacks this species.
Research suggests that theHighlands have suitable habitats
(08:38):
that could sustain a breedingpopulation of around 250 lynx.
Trees for Life hascollaborated with various stakeholders
over the past five years toassess the potential impacts of lynx
reintroduction, includingconcerns about sheep predation and
the benefits of ecotourism.
(09:00):
The organization is nowpreparing for further local discussions
throughout 2026.
Tauros are classified asdomestic cattle, but they do not
represent an equivalent breed.
In the Netherlands, scientistshave been back breeding them to resemble
the ancient oryx, the wildancestor of all domestic cattle.
(09:22):
For millennia, oryx played acrucial role in shaping landscapes
and enhancing biodiversitythroughout Europe, including Scotland.
Trees for Life is conductingassessments at its 4,000 hectare
Dundragon estate near LochNess, preparing for what would be
the UK's first introduction ofa herd of Tauros, effectively reintroducing
(09:44):
the Orochs four centuriesafter their extinction.
Research in Europe indicatesthat tauros are larger and more active
than other cattle, can createricher habitats through their intense
grazing, sheer size and behavior.
Bulls can reach heights of upto 180cm whilst cows can reach 150cm
(10:08):
at their shoulder at Dundragon.
Their role in ecologicalrestoration will be studied scientifically.
Red squirrels in the UK werepushed to the brink of extinct extinction
due to historic habitat lossand persecution by humans.
Current estimates suggesttheir population ranges from 160,000
(10:31):
to as much as 287,000 individuals.
Unfortunately, Red squirrelsare still absent from much of the
Highlands, which is one oftheir last strongholds.
Trees for Life has activelyrelocated red squirrels to woodlands
in the northern Highlands thatthe animals are unable to access
(10:51):
on their own.
To date, this effort hasyielded the establishment of 13 new
thriving populations.
The charity is exploring waysto establish new populations of red
squirrels, which will help inthe natural regeneration of woodlands
by burying caches of treeseeds such as acorns and hazelnuts.
(11:14):
And in our third story, we'relearning more about Surrey's Space
for Nature project, whichutilizes science, satellite data
and community science toprotect biodiversity across the county.
The project is currently beingshowcased by the British government
at the COP30 UK pavilion in Brazil.
(11:35):
The display forms part of theUK's official presentation of Research
and Innovation Tackling GlobalClimate and Nature Challenges.
It's co led by the Universityof South Surrey's center for Environment
and Sustainability incollaboration with the Surrey Wildlife
Trust, Bugs Life and thePainshill Park Trust.
(11:58):
Space for Nature bringstogether scientists, local communities
and conservation groups to mapand monitor important habitats across
Surrey.
These habitats include chalkgrasslands, heathlands and assailants
grasslands that support someof the nation's rarest species.
(12:18):
The project utilizes advancedsatellite imagery and artificial
intelligence that has beentrained using data from local volunteers.
This allows space for Natureto classify habitats to Level 4 of
the UK HAB system, resultingin one of the most detailed environmental
maps of its kind.
(12:39):
This initiative enablesconservation partners to identify
areas where biodiversity is atrisk and to concentrate their restoration
efforts.
For example, they work onreconnecting fragmented chalk grasslands,
often referred to as therainforests of Europe due to their
significant carbon storagecapabilities and rich biodiversity.
(13:02):
Surrey Wildlife Trust plays akey role in the Space for Nature
project by leading its citizenscience program, training volunteers
and coordinating thecollection of field data that supports
satellite and AI mapping.
The Trust's on the groundexpertise bridges technology and
conservation, transforminglocal knowledge into essential data
(13:25):
for protecting the landscapeof Surrey.
Dr. Anna Andries, Lecturer inRemote Sen Sensing and GIS at the
University of Surrey and theproject's lead, told Wildlife, we're
using satellite data andartificial intelligence in a way
that directly supportsconservation on the ground.
(13:46):
Citizen scientists help trainour machines learning models, thus
turning local field data intohigh resolution habitat maps that
reveal where biodiversity isunder threat.
To see Our work featured onthe Global Stage at COP30 highlights
how our region's innovationand collaboration can help shape
(14:07):
the future of biodiversity monitoring.
Andrew Jamieson, Space forNature Project Manager at the Surrey
Wildlife Trust, told us it'stime for conservation organizations
like ours to step outsidetraditional boundaries and focus
not just on land managementand individual skills species recovery,
(14:28):
but also on delivering thetools and partnerships that will
drive change on a landscape scale.
This project exemplifies thatapproach that has been this week's
Wildlife Matters Nature News.
(14:57):
We were thrilled to becontacted about the sighting of a
white tailed eagle in theAshdown Forest.
I have been fortunate enoughto see these magnificent birds in
Scotland, where theirimpressive size and elegance in flight
is truly captivating, but I'venever been able to see one in the
south of England.
(15:18):
We're excited about theongoing rewilding initiatives and
species introduction effortsin Scotland, Scotland's Highlands
and across the rest of the uk.
And we will keep you updatedon the Trees for Life project as
it develops from exploring ourpast to shaping the future of wildlife
and nature conservation.
(15:39):
Nature News covers a widerange of topics related to the natural
world, including theinnovative work being done by the
Surrey's Space for Nature project.
But now it's time to unwindand relax.
Join us as we take you to ourwildlife garden in the late autumn.
(16:00):
With the longer nightssettling in, this is an important
time for you to support andhelp your wildlife.
So now let's settle in andenjoy the soothing late afternoon
sounds of the Wildlife Mattersrewilding garden on this week's Wildlife
Matters mindful moment.
(16:42):
RA we still have many birdvisitors to the Wildlife Garden throughout
(17:26):
the year, but in late autumnit is often those hardy species that
spend the winter with us, suchas the blackbird who was the star
of this audio supported by thecollared dove and of course a chorus
of sparrows who always haveplenty to talk about with each other
and all for your relaxationand pleasure on this week's Wildlife
(17:51):
Matters.
Mindful moments.
But now it's time for theWildlife Matters main feature and
to the second in our series ofthe Wildlife Matters guides too,
with another double featurewhere this week we share hints and
tips of how to make yourgarden a haven for wildlife this
winter.
(18:11):
And in the part two we sharehow to keep your wildlife pond and
all the wildlife that reliesupon it in tip top condition through
winter.
And that's all coming up nexton this week's Wildlife Matters main
feature.
Hello and welcome to thisweek's Wildlife Matters main feature
(18:35):
and today it's all aboutessential tips for nurturing wildlife
in your garden this winter.
An easy way to look afterwildlife in winter is actually for
you to do less with yourgarden than you usually would.
That means to avoid pruningberry or fruit bearing bushes or
(18:56):
trees in your garden,especially as these provide indispensable
food for birds over the darkcold winter months and allow twigs
and leaves and sticks to pileup under hedges or in the borders
as this can provide a cozyhome for hedgehogs and dormice to
(19:16):
hibernate and a wonderfulplace for insects to hide out over
winter.
Those insects will in turn bebecome food for the birds who will
feast by picking at the leavesin your garden or balcony.
Leave a corner to collectleaves which will provide vital shelter
for overwintering insects, andas winter sets in, the landscape
(19:41):
transforms into a cold andstark environment, presenting significant
challenges for wildlife tryingto survive.
With temperatures plummetingand natural food sources becoming
scarce, many animals willstruggle to find sustenance and shelter.
Your actions can make a bigdifference in the survival of your
(20:06):
local wildlife during thedarker, colder months of winter.
By creating a welcoming havenfor creatures that inhabit your garden,
you are playing a crucial rolein supporting biodiversity and natural
behaviors.
So here are some practicalstrategies you can implement to create
(20:27):
a welcoming haven for wildlifein your garden this winter.
Let your garden go wild.
Consider leaving certain areasof your garden untouched.
A natural accumulation ofleaves and log piles can transform
your garden into a sanctuary,offering cozy nesting spots for small
(20:50):
animals seeking refuge.
These hidden corners provideperfect resting places and hibernation
spots, ensuring that wildlifecan find safety and warmth during
the chilly months ahead.
So by postponing your gardentidying tasks until early spring,
(21:11):
you not only enrich theecosystem, but also you create vital
shelter for insects to thrivethrough the winter's grasp.
This practice also promotesbiodiversity and helps maintain a
healthy ecosystem in your garden.
If you have a compost heap,you've created a thriving habitat
(21:33):
for a variety of fascinating creatures.
This pile of organic mattercan become an inviting home for toads,
grass snakes, and even theelusive slow worms, all of which
contribute to the richbiodiversity of your garden.
Embracing a more naturalapproach can significantly enhance
(21:53):
your garden's role as a refugefor wildlife.
By allowing certain areas togo wild, you create a diverse ecosystem
that can support a wide rangeof species, from insects to small
mammals.
This not only enriches yourgarden, but also contributes to the
overall biodiversity of yourlocal area.
(22:15):
If the surface of your gardenpond becomes a solid sheet of ice
during the winter months, it'svital to create an opening in that
ice.
The reason is that when a pondfreezes over, harmful gases like
methane can accumulate beneaththe surface.
These gases pose a seriousthreat to the fish and frogs that
(22:37):
may be hibernating at thebottom of the pond, as they can be
toxic and even fatal to theaquatic life.
To safely create a hole in theice, one effective method is to carefully
place a pan filled with hotwater on the frozen surface.
This will gradually melt theice, creating a hole without causing
(23:00):
a sudden temperature changethat could harm the pond's inhabitants.
It's essential to avoidforcefully breaking the ice or pouring
boiling water directly intothe pond, as this sudden temperature
change can harm or even killany frogs hiding beneath the surface.
Alternatively, you couldintroduce a floating object such
(23:24):
as a football into the pondthat will stop the whole of the pond
from freezing over.
This simple addition will helpto create an air pocket, allowing
for an exchange of gases andpreventing the entire surface of
the water from freezing solid,which is crucial for the health of
your pond's inhabitants and ecosystem.
(23:47):
For additional tips andstrategies on nurturing your wildlife
pond during the harsher wintermonths, we will bring you a new Wildlife
Matters guide to wildlifegarden ponds in winter later in this
series.
Feeding the Garden Birdsduring the chilly winter months,
many birds face significantchallenges in locating natural food
(24:10):
sources such as berries,fruits, seeds, insects and worms.
But you can make a realdifference by putting out a little
extra nourishment for them.
Consider offering an enticingmix of seeds, fresh unsalted peanuts
that provide essential energy,and seasonal fruits like crisp apples
(24:31):
and succulent pears that willbe a delight to their taste buds.
Additionally, dried or waxmealworms are a popular treat among
garden birds, and they can bepurchased from specialized bird food
suppliers.
As the winter continues andnatural food options dwindle, both
the resident British birds andmigrating winter visitors will increasingly
(24:55):
turn to your feeders for their food.
Always provide fresh water astemperatures fall below freezing,
wildlife faces significantchallenges in finding clean, fresh
water sources.
This can lead to dehydrationand other health issues for birds
and small animals that rely onthese resources for their very survival.
(25:18):
Providing fresh water inwinter is crucial for the survival
of wildlife as it helps themstay hydrated and healthy during
during the harsh winter months.
To support your local gardenwildlife, consider placing a shallow
bowl filled with fresh wateroutside each night.
It's essential to choose abowl that is wide and shallow, making
(25:42):
it easier for animals toaccess the water and making it safer
for any who venture in to thewater, it makes sure that they can
get back out.
To keep the water fromfreezing completely over, you can
add a brick or a stone insidethe bowl.
This provides a convenientperching spot for birds and helps
(26:03):
minimize the likelihood ofwater completely freezing over, allowing
wildlife to hydrate moreeasily even when it's in freezing
temperature.
Regularly replenishing thewater will ensure that it remains
a fresh and viable source foryour local wildlife.
You can also attract moregarden visitors by using the right
(26:26):
food.
During the chilly wintermonths, food becomes scarce for many
forms of wildlife, making yourgarden a vital refuge for them.
By offering thoughtful andappropriate treats, you can attract
a variety of mammals to youroutdoor space.
Imagine the joy of seeing someof these creatures visiting your
(26:47):
garden, adding a new anddelightful dimension to your winter
landscape.
For foxes, they'reopportunistic omnivores, which means
that they will eat a widerange of food.
You can provide a mix ofdelicious offerings such as sausages,
cheese, boiled potatoes,crunchy carrots, tender chicken pieces,
(27:10):
jam and peanut buttersandwiches, and even eggs left whole
and in their shells uncookedfor squirrels.
Unlike many of their fellowmammals, squirrels remain active
throughout the winter, cachingfood in the autumn months for future
use.
To help sustain them, offer anassortment of nutritious nuts including
(27:32):
hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds.
They also enjoy the freshtaste of chopped apple, beans, carrots
and leafy spinach, perfect fortheir energetic lifestyle.
If you have badgers nearby,these nocturnal foragers face a tough
challenge when the groundfreezes, making it hard to find their
(27:54):
favorite food, which is earthworms.
You can support them though byproviding hearty options such as
sausages, cheese, protein richeggs boiled or uncooked in their
shells, boiled potatoes,crunchy carrots, and a selection
of fruits such as apples,pears and plums.
(28:16):
These are all nutritioustreats for badgers and for hedgehogs.
Our spiky little gardenvisitors appreciate a good meal,
especially during the winter months.
Offer them dried dog or catfood to provide essential nutrients
for variety.
Consider adding wet sachetsand you can include fish based options
(28:39):
which are not only tasty, butwill also be beneficial in their
range of nutrients and vitamins.
Hedgehogs will also happilymunch on eggs, providing protein
to their diet.
One important note though isto always avoid giving milk or other
dairy produce to wildlife.
Most adult mammals are lactoseintolerant, including humans, and
(29:03):
consuming milk can to severediarrhea and potentially life threatening
conditions for wildlife duringthe frigid winter months.
Instead, always ensure freshwater is available in a shallow bowl
providing them with a crucialsource of hydration.
It's also important toestablish a routine feed the wildlife
(29:27):
at dusk and keep a consistentfeeding schedule.
Don't offer large amounts offood as it is crucial to avoid making
wildlife dependent on yourhuman handouts.
No matter how quickly yourwild visitors may eat the food you've
put out, leave out only enoughfood for one meal, which ensures
(29:49):
they consume it in one sittingrather than relying on a constant
supply.
For instance, when feedingbirds off a handful of seeds or or
small amount of peanuts, avoidplacing large quantities out each
evening to prevent theoverfeeding and promote their natural
foraging instincts.
(30:11):
Do let us know if you try anyof these tips and how it's worked
for the wildlife in yourgarden this year.
We hope the help of thisWildlife Matters guide will help
you feel inspired to supportand nurture your garden's wildlife
during this beautiful yetchallenging winter season.
(30:32):
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
In the second part of ourWildlife Matters main feature, we're
sharing some essential tipsfor caring for your wildlife pond
during the winter months.
As winter settles in, yourpond may appear calm and lifeless,
(30:54):
but it remains a crucialhabitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
Have you ever wondered whathappens to the lively creatures that
thrive around your garden pondwhen the winter arrives?
While we often focus onhibernating mammals or feeding birds
during the colder months, it'sreally easy to overlook the bustling
(31:15):
life beneath the water's surface.
Even when a pond looks still,it teems with unseen activity just
waiting to be discovered.
So to help you keep yourwildlife pond healthy and vibrant
this winter, Wildlife Mattershas created our guide with some top
tips for you to follow.
(31:36):
The first is to manage yourfallen leaves.
As leaves fall and land in thewildlife pond, they settle on the
surface, but they will soonsink to the bottom of your pond and
decompose into a new, nutrientrich sludge.
While this may initially soundbeneficial, it can actually lead
(31:58):
to excessive algae growth thatwe need to avoid.
So make a point of clearingthe leaves from your pond regularly
and adding them to your leaf compost.
You don't want to put largeamounts of wet leaves into the leaf
mold pile at any one time,which is why this job is better done
a little and on often.
(32:18):
You also need to controlexcessive algae growth, which is
a big problem for ponds as itdepletes oxygen that harms aquatic
life and reduces the water quality.
Thick algae blooms can blocksunlight, stunting the growth of
beneficial plants, and as theybreak down, they can create dead
(32:39):
zones in the pond due to thelower oxygen levels.
And always stay alert becausesome algae, such as blue green algae,
can produce toxins that areharmful to both wildlife and humans.
It's crucial that you remainvigilant to any unexpected color
changes in the water to ensurethe safety of your pond's inhabitants.
(33:04):
But by taking these simplesteps, you can ensure your wildlife
pond remains a thrivingsanctuary for wildlife, even in the
the coldest of winter months.
In recent years, manygardeners have simply discarded their
garden waste, which accountsfor approximately 20% of the waste
(33:24):
that is sent to landfill.
Historically, garden leaveshave been raked up and stored to
make leaf mold.
Composting fallen leavescreates a nutrient rich, crumbly
organic matter that cansignificantly improve your garden
soil and this enriched matterbenefits your vegetables and flowers.
(33:46):
It supports a healthier plantgrowth by maintaining soil moisture
levels.
And oxygenating plants are anexcellent way to maintain a balanced
and healthy ecosystem in yourwildlife pond.
They're often referred to asoxygenators, but they are the ideal
choice for promoting thehealth of your wildlife pond because
(34:08):
these plants not only increasethe oxygen levels but also create
safe habitats for aquatic wildlife.
They also make a sufficientsupply of oxygen, which enhances
the health and well being ofall the wildlife, as well as promoting
beneficial bacteria.
Oxygenators help remove excessnutrients such as nitrates, which
(34:29):
can reduce algae growth,improving the pond's appearance and
creating a positiveenvironment for the pond's inhabitants.
Wildlife Matters recommends avariety of native aquatic plants
that can oxygenate the water,such as spiked water milfoil and
water starwort, as these helpmitigate the effects of decaying
(34:51):
organic matter.
And here are some other plantsthat we recommend you take a look
at.
Water violets Theseoxygenators bloom with attractive
flowers from May through June.
They should be planted in theshallow areas of your pond, but can
grow deeper as needed.
Water violets thrive whenfully submerged and can tolerate
(35:13):
direct sunlight.
Water weed, or Elodia densa,is a popular choice for new ponds
as water weed grows quicklyand helps to control algae.
It also adapts quickly to newpond setups.
Horwart, which is a UK nativeoxygenating plant, remains fully
submerged underwater.
(35:35):
It grows quickly and looselyduring the late spring and early
summer before sinking to thebottom in winter before it repeats
the cycle in the following year.
Water CROWFOOT Known for itslovely aesthetic, water crowfoot
produces small white flowersthat enhance the beauty of any wildlife
(35:55):
pond.
These flowers bloom betweenApril and June and the plants should
be planted in small clusterswith the soil up to 60cm deep.
For optimal results, it isgenerally recommended to have two
or three oxygenating plantsper square meter of pond surface.
But you don't want toovercrowd your pond with too many
(36:18):
plants as this can have anegative effect effect as they use
oxygen at night, which may befatal for any wildlife.
Also using your pond for mostof us, the motivation for rewilding
our garden is that it's betterfor nature and wildlife, and it is.
It also has positive effectson biodiversity.
(36:40):
In the Wildlife Matterswildlife garden, we simply leave
more seed heads standing intowinter and this has resulted in a
noticeable increase in birdand insect activity.
We create leaf piles, compostbins, log piles and long grass, which
are all essential habitats formammals, reptiles and amphibians,
(37:04):
frogs and smooth newts.
Often hibernate in thesemicrohabitats where temperatures
will remain stable, therebyprotecting them from predators and
harsh weather conditions.
Bringing the focus back to ourwildlife pond on cold winter mornings.
One of the most critical stepsof pond care is keeping a portion
(37:26):
of the pond surface ice freeas getting trapped in an ice layer
is one of the biggest threatsto pond wildlife.
A frozen surface can trapharmful gases and deprived creatures
in your nature pond of oxygen.
If it does freeze over, do notattempt to break the ice with a stick
(37:47):
or stone or pour boiling wateronto its surface as both these methods
can harm wildlife.
Breaking the ice can createvibrations in the water that may
well injure the wildlife inthere, whilst adding boiling water
can increase their heart rateat torpor, also impacting on the
(38:08):
creature's well being.
To make a breathing hole,consider placing a small ball or
a pond ornament on the water'ssurface which will help prevent the
whole pond from freezing over.
This will allow frogs, newtsand other species to leave the pond
in search of food whilst alsofacilitating the diffusion of gases
(38:29):
from the water and allowingentry of oxygen into the water.
It's also important to keepthe edges of your pond clear of ice
as this provides a safe areafor your garden birds and small mammals
to bathe and to drink freshwater without any risk of slipping
into the cold water.
(38:50):
We hope these tips will helpyour wildlife pond thrive this winter
and inspire some of you tocreate a new wildlife pond.
Late autumn is the ideal timeof the year to do it as the ground
hasn't frozen yet and wildlifeis busy busy preparing for winter.
So now you have the perfectopportunity to create your new wildlife
(39:15):
garden pond.
So go do it.
And that has been this week'sWildlife Matters main feature.
We hope you are finding ourguide to these two series to be helpful
and that it will help you andyour garden wildlife this winter.
(39:39):
As discussed, now is the idealtime to build your wildlife pond.
If you don't have one, itdoesn't need to be big.
Anything from a Belfast sinkthrough to a small lake provides
so many benefits for the localwildlife and a small sink sized project
can be completed completed ina day or definitely in a weekend.
(40:01):
So why not get creative andbuild yours this weekend?
From today we are sharing ourtop 10 most listened to episodes
in reverse order until wereveal our number one on Christmas
Eve.
So please do share yourfavorites with friends, family and
colleagues and let us know ifyour favourite episode is him.
(40:25):
The top 10 sharing reallyhelps others to find us so please
follow like and share onsocial media.
We now have a vibrantcommunity on threads and Instagram,
in addition to our longestablished Facebook group.
And welcome to our growingBlue sky community.
(40:46):
Wildlife Matters will returnin two weeks when we will explore
the incredible benefits of hedgerows.
But until then, thank you foryour time today.
And as always, stay curious,wild ones.
This is Wildlife Matterssigning off.
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