It’s set to be a tough winter for wildlife – there’s no doubt about it. After a summer of back-to-back heatwaves and drought, it’s already been a difficult season and the impact of it will now weave its way into the last few months of the year.

That’s because, while many people are wondering if autumn has come early, the reality is that trees are dropping their leaves and fruits prematurely in a desperate bid to survive.

Unable to cope with the lack of rainfall, combined with extreme heat, the trees go through a process called ‘defoliation’ (or ‘early autumn’), where they drop their leaves early to reduce water loss and protect their internal systems.

And, for some species, like native oaks, they’re not responding to climate change fast enough. That means we’re losing some of our oldest and most ancient trees (as seen with the loss of one of the UK’s most famous trees – the 1,000 year old Major oak – earlier this summer).

For wildlife, that means less abundance of berries and fruit as we head into the colder, harsher months ahead. So, what can we do to help?

Forage with thought

It’s tempting to go foraging when we start to see all the berries and fruits come out, and most of nature’s sweet treats seem to be out earlier than ever.

But, if you’re an avid berry picker, this year might be the one to step back and let nature go first.

Birds like thrushes, blackbirds and robins will be relying on fruits like blackberries and elderberries to fuel them ahead of the cooler months. Reducing how much we pick, and leaving some behind if we do, can only help!

Avoid chopping back foliage

One of the best things you can do for wildlife at this time of year is to let your garden be wild and messy.

Try leaving the log and leaf piles (or why not even build some?) to provide useful shelter for hibernating bugs. Plus, as the leaves decompose, the added bonus is extra nutrients for your soil.

Avoid chopping down plant seed heads, too. These can also provide shelter for insects, as well as food for birds through the autumn and winter months, while letting ivy grow freely along your fences will ensure extra food later in the season.

Essentially, doing nothing to your garden will do something for wildlife.

Keep checking your water bowls and bird baths

If you’ve already been keeping the water bowls, features and bird baths topped up this summer, you’re already making a difference!

As we head into the cooler months, let’s keep the good habits going. After all, it doesn’t rain every day and, as the temperature drops, you’ll want to break up any ice, too.

Plan with wildlife in mind

If you are planning to do some garden maintenance over the next few months, now’s a great time to get ahead of the game for 2027.

Already, reports are forecast that next summer could be even hotter than this one – thanks to an ‘unprecedented’ El Nino event (which also means the UK could see more storms through autumn and winter).

The good news is that autumn is a great time to start planting new trees and hedges, which can make all the difference to your garden next year. While native species are preferred, it’s worth considering which ones are the most drought-resistant, or mixing in more heat-loving species in between.

Spreading wildflower seeds through autumn will also give them time to germinate over winter, giving them a stronger chance of settling into the soil. Next spring, the bees will love you for it!

Think bigger…

These are just a few small ways to help out the wildlife in your garden, and get ready for next year, too.

If you want to take things further, why not make a pond? It’s one of the best things you can do for wildlife in your garden.

These are just some ideas to get you started. If you have more that we’ve missed, share them with us on Facebook or Instagram.