Spring Wildlife Reminders: How to Help Wildlife In Spring
Spring Equinox marks the beginning of wildlife becoming more active - nesting and breeding commences and birds are travelling over from other climates. We can help by providing food and safe nesting sites for our feathered friends.
Spring is Around the Corner
Finally, winter is fading and early Spring is on the horizon, leading to the natural world awakening with a new growth. The Spring Equinox (20th March 2025) marks the shift toward warmer weather, longer days and many animals returning to our green spaces from hibernation.
This is the perfect time to make a difference for more wildlife, as many species, from Great Crested Grebes to Hares, start their breeding and nesting seasons.
The return of birdsong fills the air, and early pollinators like bees and butterflies search for flowers rich in pollen. Frogs and other amphibians head to wildlife ponds to spawn, while insects emerge to feed on the first blooms of white flowers, bluebells, and other wildflowers.
March Wildlife Watch
March is the month birds begin preparing for nesting season, with Great Tits, Robins and Blackbirds building their nests in trees, hedgerows and nesting boxes. There's an increase in bird song, as males sing to mark their territory and impress a female bird.
The landscape begins to look a little bit more colourful, with bluebells, primroses and snowdrops blooming. Not only do these look pretty, they provide essential pollen for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
To get ready for their annual breeding season, frogs and toads migrate back to their ponds for annual breeding season - keep an eye out for frogspawn in garden ponds and wetlands!
Hares become more active, engaging in their famous "mad March" boxing matches, where females test the strength of potential mates.
How to Help Wildlife in Early Spring
March is a really exciting time for our gardens, and it's a great time to start preparing your garden for the wildlife that's coming back.
Plant Early Flowers
Planting spring flowers like crocuses, primroses, and daffodils provides a much-needed food source for early pollinators.
These bright blooms attract bees and butterflies, helping them recover from the winter months.
Choose native wildflowers to attract more wildlife - they’re better suited to local species!
Set Up Bird Feeders & Nesting Boxes
Whilst birds are busy preparing for the breeding season, it's the perfect time to offer extra support to them.
Provide high energy bird food like sunflower seeds, suet and mealworms and place in bird feeders (make sure you put them out of the way of the reach of cats and squirrels.)
Install nesting boxes in quiet, sheltered locations and leave out natural nesting materials (e.g., twigs, moss, or pet hair) to help birds build their homes.
Maintain a Wildlife Pond or Water Source
A small wildlife pond, or water dish, provides hydration for wildlife. In March, frogs and newts also return to many garden ponds for breeding.
Avoid cleaning out ponds too soon—there may still be hibernating amphibians hiding in the soil at the bottom and add floating plants like water lilies to provide shade and shelter for wildlife.
Spring Cleaning an Outdoor Space
With longer days and sunny weather, it’s tempting to start tidying up the garden to get it ready for the new season. However, before you grab those tools, it’s important to remember that some habitats are still providing essential shelter for other insects and small animals.
What Not to Do
While it’s natural to want to tidy up, certain activities can unintentionally disturb or even harm local wildlife.
Many birds begin nesting as early as March, and hedgerows offer safe, sheltered sites. Trimming now could destroy nests or scare off potential parents. Wait until late summer to give birds a chance to raise their young.
Early spring wildflowers, like dandelions and clover, provide a crucial source of nectar for bees and other pollinators just emerging from hibernation. Let them bloom before the first mow to support these essential species.
These log piles may seem untidy, but they are perfect homes for hibernating insects, amphibians, and even hedgehogs. Moving or burning them could disturb or destroy these hidden habitats.
What to Do Instead
If you need to tidy up, do it gradually and gently. For example, rake leaves lightly rather than removing them entirely—this maintains shelter for small creatures while refreshing the area.
If you’re pruning or clearing away dead vegetation, consider creating a wildlife pile in a quiet corner of your garden. This provides a safe haven for insects, small mammals, and even amphibians.
Hold off on pruning shrubs or hedges until after nesting season, usually around late August. If you must prune, check for nests first as it's illegal to disturb active nests in the UK.
