Life

...a wildlife winter wonderland Make your garden

Resist the temptation to give your garden that last autumn tidy-up and you will be providing a safer, friendlier environment for insects animals and birds says Abbey McSherry from Action for Biodiversity

TURNING back the clocks this weekend serves as a timely reminder that we can all do

our bit to help wildlife during the winter months.

There are already reports that we can expect temperatures to drop next month so we need to act fast.

Abbey McSherry, project officer for Action for Biodiversity, which is focused on conserving biodiversity in the east border region, says an estimated 271 species are in danger of extinction in Northern Ireland alone. "It's easy to help conserve endangered native species and protect them for future generations by doing something simple like building a hedgehog hide or putting out a birdfeeder," she says.

Abbey advises resisting giving the lawn that final cut before growth stops because longer grass provides a "friendlier habitat for birds, insects as well as animals like rabbits and hedgehogs".

Did you know that almost half of all hedgehogs die during their first winter, many due to starvation?

You can help by leaving warm compost heaps untouched until spring or even investing in a hedgehog house, which you'll probably be able to find in a garden centre.

Hedgehogs need somewhere safe to hibernate so be careful when you're disturbing leaf piles and always check bonfires. You can boost their fat reserves by leaving out a dish of water as well as meaty dog food.

Abbey says that red squirrels love peanuts, flaked maize and other cereals "but try to leave them in a feeder where the alien grey squirrel can't reach the food".

Some butterflies like to hide in shed corners during the winter so try and leave them undisturbed while ladybirds can cluster in dead plant stems so think twice before doing that big autumn tidy up - you never know how many creatures you'll be helping by allowing the backyard to be a little messy.

Think about putting a dead tree limb in a quiet corner of the garden. It will provide shelter for insects and small mammals and food for wood-eating insects.

If you have a small tree that has died, but isn't any danger to your wellbeing or property, leave it stand. You can even tie bird-feeders to it to attract winged visitors.

The RSPB encourages the public to keep bird feeders topped up with high-energy, high-fat food and to keep water dishes filled.

* For a list of things you can do to 'Give an Hour to Nature' see actionforbiodiversity.eu or find Action for Biodiversity on Facebook. Also see www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk and www.rsbp.org.uk.

* creature comforts: Hedgehog houses and old branches can provide a suitable habitat for visitors to your garden