There’s a certain feeling in the air in late November, isn’t there? The last stubborn leaves have mostly fallen, the frost on the ground lingers a little longer each morning, and the world seems to be holding its breath, waiting for the first significant snowfall.
For us, it’s a time to find our favorite sweaters and make sure the snow shovel is easy to grab. For our wild neighbours, this is the final, urgent push before the deep freeze sets in. The activity in our backyards and parks right now isn’t just random; it’s a frantic race against the clock. This is our last, best chance to give them a helping hand before winter truly takes hold.
The Great Winter Rush
If you watch closely, you’ll see the final act of autumn’s preparations playing out all around you. Squirrels are on a frantic search, caching their final nuts and seeds. You might spot beavers making last-minute additions of mud and sticks to their lodges, insulating them against the cold. Many bird species that stay for the winter are scouting for reliable food sources and sheltered places to roost.
For wildlife, this period is critical. Having a safe place to ride out the first big storm or knowing where to find an unfrozen drink of water can make the difference between surviving and struggling.
A Helping Hand Before the Freeze
Our own “end of fall” cleanup can have a huge, positive impact on the animals who share our space. Before the snow flies, consider these simple actions:
- Do a Final Yard Sweep for Hazards. Before everything is covered in a blanket of snow, take one last walk around your property. Put away soccer nets and other netting that deer, coyotes, and other animals can get tangled in. Cover any deep window wells, as small animals can fall in and become trapped.
- Create a Last-Minute Shelter. You don’t need to build a fancy structure. Creating a simple brush pile with fallen branches, sticks, and even your old Christmas tree branches provides excellent cover from predators and cold winds for birds like juncos and small mammals like rabbits. It mimics the natural shelters that are becoming harder for them to find.
- Think About Water. As ponds and puddles begin to freeze over, a source of fresh water becomes one of the most valuable resources for wildlife. If you have a bird bath, consider adding a heater for the winter. Even putting out a shallow dish of fresh water on milder days can attract and help a surprising number of birds and other critters.
These small, mindful tasks are an act of community. As we prepare our own homes for the coming cold, taking a moment to think of our wild neighbours ensures that we are all, big and small, as ready as we can be for the quiet beauty of the Canadian winter.
Stay warm!