How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden in the UK: 2026 Guide
You do not need a large garden to make a meaningful difference to British wildlife. A few thoughtful changes—providing natural food, shelter, fresh water and safer feeding areas—can turn a lawn, patio or small outdoor space into a valuable haven for birds, hedgehogs, pollinators and other garden visitors.
The way we feed garden birds is changing, too. Updated 2026 guidance recommends adapting what we offer according to the season and taking feeder hygiene seriously to reduce the risk of disease.
This practical UK guide explains how to create a wildlife-friendly garden, follow the latest seasonal bird-feeding advice and choose suitable food, feeders and habitat features.
Why Wildlife-Friendly Gardens Matter
Gardens form an important network of feeding, nesting and sheltering spaces across the UK. When suitable habitats are lost or become fragmented, even a small patch of long grass, native planting or accessible water can help wildlife move, feed and breed.
The RSPB’s 2026 Big Garden Birdwatch results recorded 9.4 million birds with help from more than 650,000 people. The results also highlight the continued pressure on familiar species, including greenfinches, which have been badly affected by the disease trichomonosis.
A wildlife-friendly garden should therefore provide more than extra food. The best results come from combining:
- Natural food sources
- Safe shelter and nesting spaces
- Clean water
- Seasonal supplementary feeding
- Good feeder hygiene
- Connected access between gardens
1. Follow the Updated 2026 Garden Bird Feeding Advice
Feeding garden birds can be helpful, particularly when natural food is scarce, but current advice is to change your approach with the seasons.
Under the BTO’s updated garden bird feeding guidance:
November to April
Seeds and peanuts can be offered during the colder months, when natural food may be harder to find and birds need extra energy.
Suitable options include:
- Quality wild bird seed
- Peanuts in a suitable mesh feeder
- Mealworms
- Suet blocks and fat products
Explore our wild bird food, feeders and wildlife range for seasonal feeding options.
May to October
The updated recommendation is to pause seeds and peanuts during the warmer months to help reduce disease transmission at feeding sites.
Mealworms and fat or suet products may still be offered, but feed only small amounts and remove anything that becomes stale. Suet can soften or spoil in very hot weather, so it may be better avoided during hot spells.
Suitable options include Harrisons Dried Mealworms and, when temperatures are suitable, Harrisons Insect Suet Balls without Nets.
Supplementary feeding should support—not replace—the insects, seeds, berries and other natural foods a healthy garden can provide.
2. Choose Safer Bird Feeders
The type of feeder you use can affect how closely birds gather and how easily food becomes contaminated.
Hanging feeders are generally preferable to flat bird tables because they can reduce contact with contaminated food, saliva and droppings. Choose feeders that are easy to take apart and clean thoroughly.
For safer feeding:
- Use hanging feeders where possible
- Space feeders apart to reduce crowding
- Avoid allowing old food to build up
- Position feeders close enough to shrubs for cover, but away from places where cats can hide
- Move feeders periodically to prevent waste accumulating beneath them
Browse our bird feeders collection, including the Harrisons Flip Top Mealworm Feeder.
3. Keep Feeders and Water Stations Clean
Good hygiene is one of the most important parts of responsible bird feeding. Diseases such as trichomonosis can spread when birds gather around contaminated food and water.
Follow these simple habits:
- Put out food little and often
- Remove wet, mouldy or stale food promptly
- Wash feeders and water containers at least weekly using hot, soapy water
- Rinse everything thoroughly and allow it to dry before refilling
- Replace drinking water every day
- Clean beneath feeding areas and rotate feeder positions
- Wash your hands after handling feeders or wildlife equipment
If you notice a bird that appears fluffed up, lethargic or has difficulty swallowing, remove the food and water, clean the equipment thoroughly and check the latest advice from the BTO or Garden Wildlife Health.
4. Add a Safe Source of Fresh Water
Water is valuable for drinking, bathing and supporting insects and amphibians.
A shallow wildlife pond with gently sloping sides is an excellent long-term option. If you already have a suitable pond, an additional drinking station may not be necessary except during very dry or freezing weather.
For smaller gardens, try:
- A bird bath
- A shallow, heavy dish
- A container pond
Keep water shallow, add stones or a ramp so small animals can escape, and position it where wildlife has a clear view of approaching danger. Replace water daily and clean bowls at least once a week.
Never add cleaning chemicals to water intended for wildlife.
5. Let Part of the Garden Grow Wild
An overly tidy garden offers fewer places for wildlife to feed, hide and overwinter. Leaving even one small area less managed can make a noticeable difference.
Try:
- Leaving a section of lawn uncut
- Allowing some fallen leaves to remain
- Creating a log or branch pile
- Leaving hollow plant stems over winter
- Keeping seed heads on plants
- Avoiding pesticides and slug pellets where possible
These features support insects and other invertebrates, which are an essential natural food source for birds, hedgehogs and amphibians.
6. Plant for Birds, Bees and Other Pollinators
A varied mix of plants can provide nectar, seeds, berries, shelter and nesting material throughout the year.
Useful wildlife-garden choices include:
- Native hedging
- Berry-producing shrubs
- Nectar-rich flowers
- Climbing plants
- Wildflowers
- Plants with seed heads that can remain through autumn and winter
Aim for a range of flowering and fruiting times rather than relying on one plant. Layering ground cover, shrubs and taller plants also creates more places for wildlife to shelter.
7. Provide Nesting and Shelter
Mature trees, dense hedges, shrubs and climbing plants offer valuable natural nesting cover. Where these features are limited, a suitable nest box can provide an additional safe space.
Place boxes away from strong direct sunlight, prevailing rain and busy feeding areas. Different bird species need different entrance sizes, so choose a box suited to the birds you hope to attract.
See the Harrisons Wooden Nest Box with a 32mm Front Opening.
8. Create a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden
Hedgehogs need connected gardens, sheltered areas, natural prey and safe access to water.
You can help by:
- Making a 13cm x 13cm gap at the bottom of a fence or gate
- Leaving a quiet log, leaf or compost area
- Checking long grass before mowing or strimming
- Covering drains and making ponds easy to escape
- Providing fresh water in a shallow dish
- Offering suitable supplementary food when natural prey is scarce
Place food in a shallow dish in a sheltered feeding area around dusk. Do not put food inside a hedgehog house, as this may attract predators or disturb a nesting hedgehog.
Never give hedgehogs milk or bread.
For more practical advice, read our Hedgehog Food Guide UK or view Wild Things Hedgehog Food.
9. Feed Ducks and Waterfowl Responsibly
If you live near a pond, canal or lake, check whether feeding is permitted before offering food.
Avoid bread because it has poor nutritional value and uneaten pieces can pollute the water. Better choices include small amounts of grain, bird seed, oats, defrosted peas, sweetcorn or specialist waterfowl food.
Feed only what the birds will eat and never leave piles of uneaten food behind.
A Simple Seasonal Wildlife-Garden Plan
Winter: November to February
- Offer energy-rich bird food, including seed, peanuts, mealworms and suitable suet products
- Keep water available during freezing weather
- Leave seed heads, leaves and sheltered areas undisturbed
- Clean feeders and water containers regularly
Spring: March and April
- Continue supplementary feeding while natural food becomes more available
- Clean nest boxes before they are occupied
- Add nectar-rich plants and avoid disturbing active nests
- Check ponds and water dishes are safe and accessible
Warmer months: May to October
- Pause seeds and peanuts in line with updated guidance
- Offer mealworms or small amounts of suitable fat products, taking extra care in hot weather
- Replace drinking water daily
- Let flowers, grasses and insects provide more natural food
- Watch closely for signs of disease at feeding areas
Autumn: September and October
- Leave berries, seeds and fallen leaves for wildlife
- Create log and leaf piles before winter
- Prepare feeders for the colder season with a thorough clean
- Resume seeds and peanuts from November
Wildlife Food and Feeders at Woofingtons
Woofingtons stocks a practical range to help you support garden wildlife responsibly, including:
- Wild bird food and wildlife products
- Hanging bird feeders
- Dried mealworms
- Suet blocks
- Nest boxes
- Hedgehog food
Shop online with Woofingtons or visit us in Leigh, Hindley or Pemberton for friendly advice on choosing suitable products for your garden visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I feed garden birds in summer?
You can still support birds during summer, but current BTO guidance recommends pausing seeds and peanuts from May to October. Mealworms and fat or suet products can be offered, although suet may be unsuitable during very hot weather. Feed small quantities and remove anything stale.
When can I feed birds seeds and peanuts?
The updated guidance recommends offering seeds and peanuts from November to April, then pausing them during the warmer months from May to October.
How often should I clean bird feeders?
Clean feeders at least once a week with hot, soapy water, then rinse and dry them thoroughly. Clean more frequently if food becomes wet or dirty, or if you see an unwell bird.
Are bird tables safe?
Flat feeding surfaces can allow contamination to build up and may increase contact between birds. A clean hanging feeder is generally a safer choice.
Do garden birds need water?
Yes. Birds need clean water for drinking and bathing, particularly during dry or freezing weather. Replace water in bowls daily and clean the container at least weekly.
What should I feed hedgehogs?
Use a suitable hedgehog food or meaty cat or dog food as a supplement, alongside fresh water. Never offer milk or bread.
What should I do if I see a sick bird at my feeder?
Remove the food and water, clean the equipment and feeding area thoroughly, and consult the latest BTO or Garden Wildlife Health advice. Record and report suspected disease where requested.
Is feeding wildlife enough?
No. Supplementary food is most effective when combined with natural planting, shelter, connected access, clean water and pesticide-free areas.
Start with One Wildlife-Friendly Change
Creating a wildlife-friendly garden does not require a complete redesign. Start with one manageable improvement: add clean water, plant a nectar-rich flower, create a fence gap for hedgehogs or introduce a hanging feeder with a regular cleaning routine.
Small changes across many UK gardens can create a much larger network of safer spaces for wildlife.
Shop Woofingtons’ wild bird and wildlife collection and find food, feeders and practical garden-wildlife essentials online.