For many people the start of autumn is signalled by the harvest, but where does the word 'autumn' come from and what does it mean? Autumn comes from the Latin word autumnus, which means ‘cooling off’ - a sure sign of the passing of a year.
Nature and its autumn displays are a sight to behold; what better signal could there be that things are changing in nature than leaves turning red, brown, yellow and gold. Due to shortening daylight hours, there is not enough light for photosynthesis to take place so trees lose the chlorophyll in their leaves. Crunching through fallen leaves is an autumn memory for many of us and surely a photographer’s delight.
On either the 22nd or 23rd September we experience the autumn equinox. This is the time when nights and days are of equal length. After this date, the nights become longer than the days, until the process is reversed in spring.
Autumn marks the start of an important season in the wildlife garden.
You can help your garden birds by feeding high-energy suet. Our suet contains premium fat and is full of wholesome ingredients that add extra calorific value. Tits are especially attracted to suet balls. Suet is available in a range of different formats, such as pellets and nuggets. This makes them appealing to many birds including robins and dunnocks.
It is tempting for people to tidy their gardens in autumn, but we often (as a nation) take our thirst for cleanliness too far; for example, you can easily help wildlife by leaving as much tidying up as possible until the very end of the winter months. Winter is the ideal time of year to take the opportunity to add new wildlife features to your garden such as a log pile or wildlife pond. Try adding plants and hedges that will attract more wildlife to your garden such as hazel or hawthorn. Sunflower heads and thistles should be left to die off naturally and be placed in your wildlife area as extra food for birds and other wildlife.
Let’s not forget the birds migrating to overwinter in Britain, geese and swans arrive here as our winters are not as severe as other countries, blackbirds in your garden during autumn could be winter visitors from Eastern Europe. Why not help them along with Duck & Goose Mixture and our handcrafted Songster Food.
Most importantly now is the time to enjoy your autumn garden so - weather permitting - venture outside and marvel at the transformation of colour and natural changes, and learn to love autumn as much as we do here at Haith’s.
Written by Angela
