Feed wildlife: Meal prep

Use the calendar to colour or draw when to feed each species below.

Encourage your child to get involved when putting out food and water for wildlife. Responsible acts for them include:

• Scooping and weighing the food.

• Pouring water into the bowls.

What to offer:

• Food: Meaty hedgehog food, non-fish tinned dog/cat food, or crushed cat/dog biscuits (kibble).
• Water: Always provide fresh water in a separate, shallow bowl. Never give hedgehogs milk, as they are lactose intolerant, and it makes them very poorly.

When to offer:

• March & April: “I’ve just woken up from hibernation with zero body fat. I am starving and need energy immediately to survive!”
• May to July: “It’s baby season! Busy mums need extra food to keep up their strength and nurse their hungry hoglets.”
• August to October: “The race is on! We must eat as much as possible to build the heavy fat layers we need for our long winter sleep.”

What to offer:

• Flowers: Check out our ‘plant for wildlife’ activity to keep bee-friendly flowers blooming all year.
• A Safe Bee Station: Fill a shallow saucer with pebbles or marbles and add just enough water to keep the tops of the stones dry. This creates safe landing "islands" so bees can drink without drowning.  Place the bath in a sunny spot near your best flowers.

When to offer (Help your child color in the calendar!):

• March to April: “We’re out and about and desperately need flowers to feed on! Please plant for us or let dandelions grow in your gardens and communities.”
• June to August: “It gets really tough to find water to keep ourselves cool and dilute our honey. We would love a safe, shallow place to drink!”

What to offer:

• Seeds & Peanuts: Offer these in secure hanging feeders, or scatter them in different spots around the garden on a daily rotation. Avoid using traditional flat bird tables 
• Soaked Mealworms: Soak dried mealworms in water for 30–60 minutes to provide critical moisture for growing chicks, who rely entirely on their food for hydration. Serve them "little and often" in elevated, smooth-sided dishes around your area.
• Fresh Water: Provide a shallow birdbath or dish of clean water and change it daily. This gives birds a safe place to drink and wash their feathers, which is how they stay properly insulated against both the heat and the cold. 

When to offer:

• November to April: “From frozen winter ground to spring nesting and egg-laying, we need serious energy! Seeds and peanuts are perfect during these months to help us build up vital fat.”
• May to October: “Our hungry chicks are growing! Please stop feeding us seeds and peanuts now. Switch to soaked mealworms for a safe, high-protein meal.”

What to offer:

• Healthy Snacks: Avoid bringing bread, which acts like "junk food" for ducks and fills their bellies without any real nutrition. Instead, treat them to healthy alternatives like uncooked oats, peas (fresh or thawed), chopped lettuce, seeds, or cooked rice.
• Feeding in an Arc: Spread the food out in a wide arc. This creates plenty of space for all the birds to gather safely, reducing the chances of smaller or younger ducks getting bullied away from the food.

When to offer:

• November to February: “Food is scarce, and staying warm in near-freezing water burns a massive amount of calories. Uncooked oats are a huge help to fuel us through the winter!”
• March to May: “We are burning serious energy guarding our territories and nesting. High-energy treats like peas and leafy greens are incredibly welcome right now.”
• June to October: “Natural food is plentiful now, but we still love mealworms to help us through our moult, alongside supplementary oats and leafy greens to keep us going.”