Urban Winter Wildlife: Support Birds & Hedgehogs in Your Garden

Urbanization drives bird declines, but gardens can reverse the trend. Winter is critical — food scarcity makes your actions lifesaving.

Plant for Survival

• Dense cover for small birds; protection for larger species.
• Berry/fruit/hip producers: pyracantha, wild roses, cotoneaster, mountain ash, holly, barberry, crab apple.

Leave a hidden log/leaf pile for hibernating hedgehogs — nature’s slug control.

Supplemental Feeding

• Feeders: tables, boxes, nets, balls — stocked at garden centers.
• Place in open areas with predator visibility; away from cat ambush zones.
• Small amounts daily > large occasional dumps (prevents rodents).
• Provide unfrozen water in deep cold.

Simple, consistent actions create urban sanctuaries.

More insights: owenchubblandscapers.com