As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to pause and appreciate the wonders of winter wildlife in our gardens and local surroundings. Despite the cold weather, there’s so much to see and do!
Garden Visitors: A Feast for the Eyes
This month, Enstone Eco volunteers have described their gardens as a hub of activity. As robins, tits and even male bullfinches flutter around, they provide bright contrasts to the sleeping garden.
The goldfinches have also been busy, perching on the dead stalks of sea holly. It’s a wonderful reminder of the value of leaving some areas of your garden untidy. Those seemingly "dead" plants can be a lifeline, offering seeds or shelter for insects, which in turn provide a meal for hungry birds.
Make sure to keep your feeders topped up and ensuring water is available despite the icy weather. If you haven’t already, why not set up a feeding station?
Join the Big Garden Birdwatch
A reminder of the Big Garden Birdwatch. It’s always a highlight of January and an important initiative to monitor the state of our bird populations. So far, over 220,000 people have signed up nationally—it’s not too late to join! Spend just an hour recording the birds you see in your garden or local green space, and help contribute to vital conservation data.
Wildflowers in Winter - a note from Dawn
While many plants are dormant, the BSBI New Year Plant Hunt showed me that nature is still full of surprises. I found five species in flower: Daisy, White and Red Dead Nettle, Primrose, and Vinca. Who would have thought January could offer such floral beauty? The data collected will help researchers learn how our wild and naturalised plants are responding to a rapidly changing climate.
Thinking of Hedgehogs
Right now, the hedgehogs are hibernating, using just 2% of the energy they do when awake. While they slumber, it’s a good time to consider how we can make our gardens more hedgehog-friendly come spring. Hedgehog Street offers fantastic resources to help you learn what they need. A small change, like creating a hedgehog highway or adding a safe space for shelter, can make a big difference.
Get Involved!
Whether you’re topping up feeders, counting birds, or planning your spring garden, January is still a wonderful time to connect with nature. If you have a moment, why not share your sightings with us - enstoneeco@gmail.com
We’d love to hear about your garden visitors or winter walks!
For more resources and ideas to help or entertain the family, particularly in the cold months, check out:
A Quick Safety Note...
On a more serious note, a recent house fire in the village over Christmas serves as a reminder to check your smoke alarms. It’s a simple habit that could save lives.
Stay warm and enjoy all that winter has to offer!
Happy New Year!
The Enstone Eco Team 🌱
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