Caring for Wildlife in Autumn

After the ‘Nesting Season’ when I leave the natural tree and hedge growth to protect birds bringing up their fledgelings and allows other creatures to live undisturbed. Come September there is an opportunity to tidy up and regain control of vigorous plant species.

To let in light, I like to work first thing in the morning as the sun rises. It is not just a case of cutting back indiscriminately, some thought needs to go into the shape of the tree/bush, where the new growth will appear. A good rule of thumb is that if a branch is angled down it needs to come out (some species are exceptions to this), I also consider whether the shoot or branch is adding to the shape or growing away from the ideal direction.

Helping Wildlife

Some plants will provide food for birds and mammals through the winter months, some will be providers of nectar early in spring before even garden bulbs have flowered (Ivy for example). It is important not to cut these back to hard.

Some trees are laden with red berries, leave as many as possible and ensure there are landing branches and twigs to facilitate access to them. The birds will drop plenty for ground dwelling scavengers.

There will be time enough later to cut these back when the abundance of food has been consumed.

Other planning

This is a good time of year to sow a few natural seeds that will come to life after winter has passed to reward us with diversity and flowers. We are blessed with mature hedgerows around Whittlesey. At this time of year, the ditches can be cleared of debris from modern life to make safe habitats for wildlife to thrive in.

In our back yards (or even front garden, we can offer food for birds and those creatures stocking up for hibernation without attracting vermin. The rewards can be inspiring. Most of us have a pretty good camera on our phone – an unexpected visitor can be identified and shared without any interference to the subject.