September

Summer is now officially at an end and the weather starts to change as autumn approaches.

Leaves are changing colour from green to yellow to red to brown.

Blackberries and autumn berries such as sloes are abundant providing plenty of food for birds as well as mice and foxes.

Birds are now emerging from the moult resplendent in their new winter plumage. Some are particularly vocal such as the Greater-spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch.  Jays are returning to our gardens looking for acorns to cache. Green Woodpeckers are combing our lawns for ant nests.

Swifts, Swallows & House Martins are now migrating south for winter as are Warblers, Hobbies and other summer visitors.

Red Kite

Ancient woodland

Sunrise over the lake

Wren

Things to do

• Prune hedges & Trees as the nesting season is now over.
• If you’ve managed to resist the temptation then mid-September onwards is the time to mow your wild grassed areas.
• Create a log-pile or two in the garden or better still create a hedgehog hotel or install a hedgehog box for the forthcoming hibernation.
• Clean out any nest-boxes or put-up new ones as some animals will use these to shelter in during inclement weather.

There will be plenty of nuts, berries and fruit available for our wildlife but some e.g. acorns and apples can be stored in a cool dry place like a shed or garage to then be put out again in the colder winter months.  This could make the difference between life and death for some birds. Apples are a particular favourite of some of our migratory birds such as Redwings, Fieldfares & Thrushes who bring some welcome colour in the dull winter months.