Past Present & Future

Cold Winter
from the London Wildlife Trust:

“When the cold wind blows… what will London wildlife do then?

The Met Office is predicting a cold, dry winter and bookies have slashed the odds on there being a White Christmas in London. In response, London Wildlife Trust is issuing an amber alert for wildlife, warning that water, food and shelter would become scarce.

Carlo Laurenzi, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust says:

“We urge Londoners to spare a thought for the City’s wildlife this cold winter. Please remember to put out fresh water every day for birds and other wildlife and try to protect garden ponds from completely freezing over. By being less severe about pruning and tidying up our gardens now, we can ensure there will be some warm cover and shelter for wildlife until the spring. Leaving seed heads un-cut can make the difference between life or death for many creatures. Without our support much of London’s wildlife faces a bleak future as a result of the predicted cold spells.”

Following months of low rainfall and with frozen ponds, streams - and maybe even the Thames - on the way, water will become a critically scarce resource for all wildlife.

Leaving high calorie foods (such as black-oil sunflower seeds or peanuts) out on bird tables or feeders will help boost food supplies, but tables and feeders need to be kept clean to avoid spreading disease. Water for birds to bathe in is also useful as bathing helps birds stay warm by keeping their insulating feathers clean.

Vegetation will be crucial for shelter from freezing temperatures and biting winds. Native evergreens are valuable but leaf piles, stacked logs and dead standing wood are also important wildlife habitats. Artificial homes such as bird, bat, hedgehog or bug boxes are easy to make and many are available commercially.

One of the best ways of supporting wildlife in winter is by planting shrubs and vegetation that produce berries, nuts or winter seeds. While it is too late for this year, the cold winter months can be spent planning where to plant suitable shrubs or trees in the New Year to support wildlife through next winter.

Apart from saving hundreds of creatures from a cold death these actions will encourage wildlife into gardens and open spaces to provide an ever changing cast of characters for Londoners to watch and admire.”