The Kitchen Sink and the Secret Garden

 A Window into the Wild

From the vantage point of my kitchen sink, I’ve been granted a quiet but intimate view into what I fondly call The Secret Garden — my modest back garden that comes alive with quiet magic. As I stand washing dishes in warm, sudsy water, my eyes drift beyond the glass to catch the antics of the creatures that share this space with me.

There’s the robin, ever bold, defending his winter territory with song and spirit. Blackbirds busy themselves among the leaf litter, tossing it aside with vigorous scratching in search of earthworms. One moment they’re still, head cocked to listen, and the next—beak to soil—they're pulling a worm from the earth.

And then, there’s the squirrel: a comical, daring acrobat, leaping from branch to feeder with impressive agility. I’ve even had the pleasure of watching a male pheasant strut across the frosty lawn, his entourage of females foraging dutifully at his heels.

Twilight Visitors

As night falls, the Secret Garden reveals more of its hidden guests. I’ve often found myself holding my breath at the sight of a fox, its russet fur glowing under moonlight, as it moves with silent precision across the garden. These are the moments that feel truly enchanted.

Hedgehogs, on the other hand, draw squeals of delight and cries of, “There’s a hedgehog in the garden—come quick!” The dishes are quickly forgotten as we dash outside to observe our prickly visitor snuffling in the shrubbery. We often offer a little dish of cat food, which is gobbled up with noisy gratitude.

The Unseen Secret Garden

I often wonder what goes on when I’m not looking—when I’m not at the window, or the garden is cloaked in the silence of night. It’s this quiet mystery that makes the idea of a Secret Garden feel so real.

No wonder so many amateur wildlife lovers set up garden cameras to catch glimpses of this unseen world. The thought of what remains hidden is almost as magical as what’s observed.

How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Garden in Winter

If you want to transform your outdoor space into a haven for local wildlife, especially during the harsh UK winter months, here are a few simple, effective steps you can take:

1. Keep Bird Feeders Stocked

Birds expend more energy in winter, so keeping feeders full helps them survive. Use a mix of seeds, fat balls, and suet to attract different species.

2. Leave Leaf Litter Undisturbed

Resist the urge to tidy every corner—piles of leaves provide essential shelter for insects, frogs, and hedgehogs.

3. Scatter Hedgehog and Ground-Forager Food

Sprinkle food such as hedgehog biscuits or cat food under hedges and shrubs where ground dwellers feel safest.

4. Provide Fresh Water

Leave shallow dishes of clean water in sheltered spots. In winter, check daily to ensure they haven’t frozen over. My daughter made this beautiful mussle-shell flower which I fill with water. It is shallow enough for the instects to safely drink without the danger of drowning.

5. Build a Simple Insect Hotel

Create a cosy hideaway by piling twigs, bark, and leaves in a quiet corner of your garden. You can also make bug hotels from old plant pots and bamboo canes.

---

Complementary Crafts and Learning Activities

Make the most of your own Secret Garden by pairing wildlife-watching with creative and educational projects, especially great for children or seasonal home educators.

✦ Garden Wildlife Journal

Start a nature diary to record daily or weekly wildlife sightings from the kitchen window. Encourage drawing pictures of birds, sketching leaf shapes, or noting animal behaviours.

✦ DIY Bird Feeders

Use pinecones, peanut butter, and seeds to create natural bird feeders. Or recycle yoghurt pots and string for simple hanging feeders.

✦ Make a Hedgehog House

Use old wooden crates or boxes to build a hedgehog shelter. Tuck it into a quiet corner of the garden and line it with straw or dry leaves.

✦ Create Wildlife ID Cards

Print or draw simple identification cards for local garden birds, mammals, and insects. Keep them near the window for easy reference.

✦ Storytelling Prompt: The Secret Garden Watchers

Encourage children (or adults!) to write short stories or poems inspired by the animals they see—or imagine what goes on in the garden at night when no one is watching.

---

Closing Thoughts

Whether it’s the bold chirp of a robin or the quiet rustle of a hedgehog in the dark, the Secret Garden is always teeming with life—even when we can’t see it. The view from the kitchen sink has taught me that sometimes, the simplest moments are the most magical.

This season, I hope you’ll take a moment to look out of your own window and discover the secret world that might be hiding just beyond the glass.