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The loose bark on old logs is one of the most important hibernating sites for all manner of insects. Here they can remain sheltered from predators, and also from their main enemies during winter: frost and damp. This week they will be sorely tested

-munching sort - are disappearing. They have started to slow down and go off for their winter hibernation (presumably so that they can save energy ready to attack my plants again next spring with an increased fervour!).Now I may be a fool, but not fool enough

A couple of years ago we replaced our PVC window frames with beautiful wooden ones. And last week I discovered that they have attracted a number of hibernating insects.As the sun shone for the first time in weeks, I opened all the windows to let

It amazes me how ladybirds survive winter outside - hibernation is an extraordinary phenomenon. To withstand winter as adults, ladybirds and other creatures must find suitable shelter, and they'll seek high and low to find it. I've tried

Last year I wrote about autumn tidying and the effect this can have on wildlife. I left my garden untouched over winter, leaving hibernating creatures snuggled under a duvet of fallen leaves and rotting stems. None of my plants died or were ravaged

the dog from The Magic Roundabout) tucking into a blackfly colony on my runner beans. Most recently I met a very special species indeed: an orange ladybird. It was hibernating in a pine tree in my local park. What a find.The orange ladybird is only special

No, it’s not quite time for hibernation yet. Just a bit of sun in the garden and all kinds of intriguing insects are out again. I thought maybe I’d seen the last of this year’s hoverflies, but a drowsy marmalade fly, Episyrphus balteatus

Winter wildlifeMost garden wildlife hibernates over winter, as food is in short supply and freezing temperatures make life difficult. Learn how to help wild creatures through the cold winter months, below.In winter, wild animals and insects hunker

Lay new turf and re-sow bare patches of lawnPot up colchicums into decorative containers for bringing into the housePut up bug boxes to provide places for beneficial insects to hibernateCut attractive seed heads for indoor arrangementsSpread netting

by windCheck bulbs and tubers in storage for signs of rotRake up leaves to compost into leaf-mouldSow a green manure crop of field beans on bare soilBuild a log pile for beneficial insects and animals to use for hibernationSend off for new seed and bulb