Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust

Winter Wildlife
Despite the chilly weather, there is still plenty of wildlife to see during the winter months. So wrap up warm and get outdoors!
Birds of prey
Winter can be a great time of year to look for birds of prey. Short-eared owls can be seen more widely in the winter, as migrants join resident birds. They mainly hunt during the daytime, flying low over moorland and grasslands. Winter can also be a great time of year to look for barn owls, as they often extend their hunting hours into daylight to find the extra food they need to get them through the colder months.
Winter mammals
Although some mammals like hedgehogs and bats hibernate during winter, there are still lots of mammals that remain active including deer, badgers, foxes, water voles and otters. Spotting mammals in the winter can be easier as mud, frost, and snow can reveal tracks and footprints, so make sure to check the ground when you are out walking.
Winter waders
The winter may feel chilly to us, but for waders nesting in the Arctic, the UK is a paradise! Every autumn wading birds head for our food-rich wetlands in astounding numbers. At Rutland Water Nature Reserve, tens of thousands of wildfowl arrive every winter, with as many as 25,000 ducks, geese and swans being recorded. They are joined by wintering grebes, divers and egrets, coming together to create one incredible wild winter spectacle.
Winter flowers
Winter aconites and snowdrops are some of the most cheerful sightings in midwinter. Enjoy the carpets of yellow and white that appear, giving hope that warmer times are on the way and spring is just around the corner!
Starling Murmurations
During the winter months, large numbers of starlings visit Britain. As dusk arrives, the starlings set off for their communal roost in one of the most staggering natural spectacles of all. Flocks arrive from all directions, gathering in the skies above their roost sites. Tens of thousands of starlings will take part in the murmurations, which create incredible swirling shapes in the sky, contracting and expanding as one flock merges into another. A truly breathtaking experience to see.
How you can help wildlife this winter
Winter can be difficult for many wildlife species, especially with sudden temperature drops. To help wildlife thrive through this season, here are some things you can do to help:
Keep it wild: Let your garden stay wild throughout the winter. Undisturbed piles of leaves and logs make great homes for animals to hide and hibernate in. Some insects will also nest in dead vegetation, compost and leaf litter.
Provide food: Birds can find it harder to find natural food supplies during the cold weather; so make sure your feeders and bird tables are well stocked.
Provide water: Unfrozen water for drinking and bathing, may be hard for birds to find during a frost, providing a small shallow dish of fresh, clean water will help them out.
Break the Ice: If you have a frozen pond in your garden, make sure you gently make holes in the ice. Frozen pond water can cause toxic gasses to build-up, which can harm fish or frogs that may be hibernating at the bottom.
Help protect local wildlife and wild places by supporting Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, find out more at lrwt.org.uk
By Jordan Linthwaite, Communications & Engagement Assistant