HARD wintry conditions, particularly when temperatures plummet below freezing, can make it very difficult for wildlife.

Animals struggle to keep warm and food is often harder to find as plant growth slows down, days are shorter and invertebrates are less active.

Whilst some animals such as the Foulshaw Moss Ospreys migrate in winter, many animals like bats, dormice, and hedgehogs hibernate to survive - which can have its own dangers.

Here are ways you can help your local wildlife during the low temperatures. 

Your Garden 

Maintain your garden regularly but also keep some 'wild' areasYour garden is one of the best ways you can help local wildlife.

Amphibians hibernate anywhere damp and sheltered whilst animals like hedgehogs prefer dry spaces such as under sheds, in compost heaps and under plants.

Take care when you're maintaining your garden in winter not to disturb them.

Leave undisturbed wild areas in your garden as piles of leaves or brushwood can make a perfect nest.

A compost heap can also be a welcome habitat for hedgehogs, toads, slow-worms and even grass snakes.

Logs, old plant stems and dried grass are all safe havens for insects to take cover in poor weather so don't clear them away too soon.

If you cut your hedges in the autumn, stack the cuttings for hedgehogs, toads, and spiders.

Bat boxes can also be placed in a sheltered spot that receives sun during the day 4 to 5 meters off the ground.

Ponds

(Image: Pixabay) If your garden pond freezes over, it's important to make a hole in the ice as toxic gases such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfate can build up.

These may kill any fish or frogs that are hibernating at the bottom.

Never break the ice with force or tip boiling water onto the pond as this can harm or kill any life in the pond so carefully place a pan of hot water on the surface to make a hole.

Bubblers and aeration systems can help with oxygen levels.

Food and water

Goldfinch and pair of Blue Tits at a bird feederProviding food is a no brainer for helping wildlife when natural food becomes scarce.

Hanging seed, Niger/Nyjer and seed feeders attract a variety of small birds whilst ground and table feeding attracts blackbirds, collared doves, thrushes, dunnocks and robins.

For more information on what types of food and how to create your own feeder, visit the Cumbria Wildlife Trust website.

Hedgehogs usually hibernate between November to mid-March but are occasionally seen out during this period as they change nesting sites.

Compost heaps are a good source of food as well as providing nesting and hibernation sites.

Wet or dry cat or dog food, or specially-made hedgehog food, are especially good for the spiky animals.

Avoid conventional slug pellets contain metaldehyde as there are lethal to hedgehogs.

For more information on feeding, visit The British Hedgehog Preservation Society website.

Cumbria has one of the last remaining red squirrel populations in England (Image: NQ) Squirrels do not hibernate. Instead they cache food during autumn to eat when food is scarce.

Hazelnuts, walnuts and almonds, plus some chopped apple, carrots or spinach can help them greatly. 

Cats can hunt squirrels so you can also help by keeping your cat indoors and place feeders 5–6 feet up a tree or near a high wall to reduce the risk squirrels of being preyed on.

Grey squirrels outcompete red squirrels for food and space and also carry a disease called squirrel pox virus which is fatal to reds.

Those involved in red squirrel conservation would urge anyone who get visits from greys to not encourage them returning.