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Garden Wildlife in January

During the quiet winter months in the garden, occasional sightings of birds and other wildlife can bring joy and life to our surroundings. Our guide to garden wildlife in January has been created in collaboration with the experts at Wildlife World. Find out what different animal species are doing this month and how you can help them in your garden.

Badgers

Hard ground in winter makes earthworms tricky to find. Depending on the weather, badgers are likely to be asleep underground through much of January. On warmer nights when they are on the move, they may appreciate some extra support with food.

How you can help

If you have badgers nearby, considering leaving out food in January. Specialist badger food, raw peanuts and fruit such as apples are all good options
Don’t forget that badgers and their setts are legally protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. It is a prosecutable offence to wilfully kill or injure a badger, or cruelly mistreat them, including harming their sett.

Bees

In January, it continues to be unusual to spot a bee. There has been an increase in winter sightings of some bumblebees species on mild, sunny days as the climate warms.

How you can help

Have plants in your garden that offer winter nectar – e.g. mahonia, ivy, willow, hellebores and Lonicera fragrantissima

Birds

As we reach the heart of winter, it can become difficult for birds to find natural food sources. This is the time to provide food with a high fat content to support species including thrushes, robins and blue tits.

How you can help

Offer bird food with high fat content to give extra energy for the colder months. Suet treats are ideal
On freezing days, break the ice on bird baths and water bowls. Refresh the water supply daily
Start thinking about your nest boxes. Blue tit and great tits will soon begin eyeing up nest box sites ahead of spring.
Join more than one million others and take part in the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch at the end of January

Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs will be soundly in the middle of their winter slumber by January.

How you can help

Enjoy a winter rest at the same time as the hedgehogs do. Let piles of leaves and logs sit undisturbed, so hedgehogs and other creatures can enjoy their dormancy

Insects

It can be easy to focus out attention on the larger creatures in our garden. The many thousand varieties of insects are every bit as important, from woodlice and earwigs to beetles and flies.

How you can help

Reap the benefits of lazy gardening. Avoid cutting down tall flower stems and save deadheading until spring to create sheltered spots for overwintering insects

Squirrels

In January, grey squirrels will still occasionally move around feeding on buds and stashing food supplies.

How you can help

It is not generally considered necessary to feed squirrels. Feeding them can create issues with over population and reliance on human food sources
If you do want to feed squirrels, choose a dedicated squirrel feeder. Please ensure you clean it regularly

January Dates for Your Diary

RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch | 26th – 28th January

Launched in 1979, The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch has grown to become one of the biggest wildlife surveys in the world. In 2023, over two hundred thousand people from across the UK took part. The bumper survey helped identify the tragic decline of some species and is a critical part of bird conservation.

Big Garden Birdwatch | The RSPB