It’s easy to see why autumn is so many people’s favourite season - gorgeous shades of red and gold all around; bright, crisp days and the jingle of sleigh bells just around the corner makes this time of year extra special.
With temperatures beginning to drop, I’m noticing more wildlife in my garden – from gutsy robins battling over territory to greedy blackbirds pecking at the apples which have fallen from our old tree. Meanwhile, great tits are eating us out of house and home, with sunflower hearts and 'buggy nibbles' (buy them here) proving to be firm favourites!
If you want to help give nature a home in your patch this month, here are a few easy ideas:
Feed the birds
Natural foods like seeds and berries will soon be in short supply. You can help supplement birds’ diet by regularly putting out a range of titbits. Seed mixes and suet balls, along with kitchen leftovers like uncooked porridge oats, cheese and fresh fruit will go down a treat. Don't forget to also leave out a dish of water for wildlife to drink and bathe in. As the weather gets colder, place a ping-pong ball in the water to stop it freezing over!
Put up nestboxes
November is a good time to put up nest boxes. Many birds will be keen to find warm and dry shelter over the winter will readily set up home and roost in a nest box. These boxes may also be used next spring to raise chicks. Different types of birds prefer different types of nestboxes - you can find out which will suit your garden residents best here.
Create a hedgehog highway
Autumn is a busy time of year for a lot of creatures as they prepare for the cooler months. Hedgehogs are no exception as they start planning for hibernation. By making a hole in your fence for the little critters to move through, it’s a great way to connect with your neighbours and give nature a home at the same time.
We'd love to hear what you're doing to help birds and other wildlife at this time of year. Share your photos and stories with us on the RSPB NI Facebook or Twitter pages :)