Winterwatch starts today so make sure you’re tuned into BBC TWO at 20.00. We’ll be wrapped up warm and sitting comfortably to hear more about nature from wildlife experts and presenters.
 
Broadcasting from RSPB Arne in Dorset, it’s sure to be a spectacular feast for wildlife lovers all over the country; however as the colder weather closes in fast, there’s plenty we can do to help the wildlife in our own neighbourhood.
 
During January and February, most hedgehogs should be hibernating although they may wake up for short periods of time during hibernation, it is highly unlikely they will choose to move unless they have been disturbed or the weather has turned extremely mild.  Should you see a hedgehog in the garden, therefore, especially during daylight hours, it will certainly need your help. Pick the hedgehog up with thick gardening gloves, put it in a cardboard box lined with paper, wrapped in a towel, and take to your nearest Wildlife Rescue Centre as your local vet may not have specific facilities to care for hedgehogs.
   
All year round feeding of garden birds is tremendously important but - in the winter months – it can be the difference between life and death during sudden cold snaps. All the major wildlife charities (including the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and BTO) agree that we can help birds by providing high-quality, clean and fresh high- energy food. For example, try feeding suet products which are particularly suitable at this time of year. Tits are especially attracted to fat balls, which provide an important source of nutritious food. Our suet is available in lots of different feeding formats; experiment with our Suet Variety Pack and try the range to find your garden birds’ favourite.

 
Our Huskfree Advance with Suet Pellets is a high-quality no mess wild bird food. It’s nutritious, bursting with Sunflower Hearts and it flows easily through seed feeders, making it the perfect seed mix. In other words, it’s good for the birds and there’s less clearing up to do behind them as Huskfree Advance is 100% edible.

 
At the end of this week, it is the Big Garden Birdwatch, and that’s another way you can help wildlife. Counting (for one hour) the birds that visit your garden on the 28-30 January you can take part in the world’s largest wildlife survey.  Our Garden Watch Pack is the perfect way to signpost that your garden is open to nature and – for a limited period – it comes with a free nestbox.

 
The perils of winter can be a matter of life or death for our wildlife but by taking a few simple steps to help,  you can really make a difference.