Wildlife Care: Supporting Birds and Insects in November

November’s chill and shortened days mean natural food and shelter are in short supply just when birds, bees, and beneficial insects need them most. What you do now to support your garden’s wildlife will help them survive winter—and keep your garden alive with birdsong, pollinators, and friendly pest-controllers come spring. Here’s how to care for wildlife in the garden this November.

1. Feed the Birds Wisely

• Offer high-energy foods: black sunflower seeds, peanuts (unsalted), fat balls, and suet cakes.
• Clean feeders and water trays regularly to prevent disease.
• Top up water—even a simple tray or bird bath can freeze, so check daily.
• Scatter seed and mealworms for ground-feeding birds like robins, blackbirds, and dunnocks.

2. Leave Natural Shelter and Food

• Don’t over-tidy: leave seed heads (sunflowers, teasels, coneflowers, verbena) for food and shelter.
• Ivy left to flower and berry is a crucial late nectar source for bees and late food for birds.
• Piles of logs and leaves become winter homes for hedgehogs, frogs, newts, beetles, and other vital creatures.

3. Build or Refresh Homes

• Clean out nest boxes; remove old nesting material and wash with hot water.
• Put up new bird boxes and bug hotels now to give wildlife time to find and use them as shelter against the cold.

4. Don’t Use Chemicals

• Avoid pesticides or slug pellets; they harm earthworms, birds, hedgehogs, and beneficial bugs seeking autumn food or shelter.

5. Provide Insect Water and Mud

• Even in cold weather, insects and bees need water and soft mud for hibernation or nest-building—keep a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water, topped up and ice-free if possible.

6. Plant and Plan for Winter Flowers

• Any late-blooming perennials (like winter honeysuckle, mahonia) offer vital nectar to winter-active bees and hoverflies.
• Plan for next year by choosing pollinator-friendly bulbs to plant this month: crocus, snowdrop, allium, and single-flowered daffodils.

7. Care for Ponds

• Float a tennis ball or small stick in the water to prevent it freezing over completely, allowing amphibians and insects to breathe.

Supporting wildlife through November isn’t just about kindness—it’s a healthy investment in next year’s garden, too! Birds eat pests, pollinators bring fruit, and a lively garden is simply more inspiring to spend time in, year-round.