Wow! What a summer we’ve had – records have been tumbling as
the temperatures have been soaring. For people and wildlife alike, the high
temperatures and lack of rain have been challenging. As we head into September
and some (hopefully!) cooler temperatures, our thoughts can turn to the autumn
to come and what we might be able to do to alleviate hot summers in the years
to come.
You may want to consider installing some water butts, or if
you already have some, installing some more! Although a water butt won’t see
you through summers like this one, they will help to reduce your water use,
which reduces pressure on natural water courses and, if you are on a water
meter, saves you some money too. As an added bonus, plants and ponds tend to
prefer rainwater to tap water, making water butts a win for planet, pocket,
plants and ponds!
Talking of ponds, if you are thinking about putting in a
pond, now is the time to start. Ponds are wildlife-friendly powerhouses,
providing shelter, food and refreshments for an array of creatures. They are
also a fascinating addition to your green space, with visitors such as
dragonflies, newts, frogs and toads adding interest and colour to your garden.
Ponds don’t need to be huge to be beneficial – in fact a mini pond will bring
lots of benefits to your garden. If you would like a pond or mini pond in your
garden, but don’t know where to begin, Thornbury Town Council and Avon Wildlife
Trust are running some free-of-charge workshops on the 18 October. Find out
more here: https://thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk/page/events-projects
As summer comes to an end, summer visitors will be leaving,
and winter migrants will be arriving. As swallows and martins depart for warmer,
sunnier places, species such as fieldfares and redwings will start to arrive.
As it gets colder, year-round populations of robins and blackbirds will be
bolstered by those travelling from colder climes. Our proximity to the Severn
and Slimbridge also means we may be able to witness the arrival of majestic
whooper or Berwick swans.
Some species will also be starting to think about
hibernation and cosying down for the winter months. Bats are entering their
breeding season, with females seeking mates before they bed down (or up!) for
the winter. Amazingly, female bats mate in autumn, but don’t get pregnant until
the Spring, with each pregnant female giving birth to just one ‘pup’. There is
still just about enough time to listen out for bats, with one of our
free-to-borrow bat detectors – bag yours here: https://thornburytowncouncil.gov.uk/page/events-projects
Giving over areas of your garden to wood piles, long grass
and fallen leaves is also a good idea if you can. Animals such as this gorgeous
slow worm will be happy to find somewhere safe and cosy to hide. Slow worms
are, despite their name and appearance, neither worms nor snakes, but are in
fact a species of legless lizard! Slow worms are the gardener’s friend, happily
disposing of pests such as slugs and snails.
As the fierce light of summer mellows into autumn, celebrate
the turning of the seasons in your wildlife-friendly garden and look forward to
the season to come.
