Autumn is a beautiful time of year, with the last of the summer colour in bloom, leaves turning to gorgeous reds and golds, and cool and crisp days.

We might start thinking about hunkering down, lighting the fire and eating warming wintery dishes, but for our feathered friends and small garden visitors, autumn is a crucial time for survival.

Harsh autumn conditions can be life-threatening to birds and other animals who are on the hunt for warm places to stay and energy-rich foods to help build up fat reserves to see them through the winter.

They rely on our help now when natural food sources and shelters are scarce. Here are five things we can do to help:

Leave out food

High-calorie foods such as suet, mealworms, nuts and seeds are ideal for birds. Did you know that birds can lose as much as 10% of their body weight overnight in cold conditions, just trying to keep warm?

Birds enjoy eating pumpkins so any leftover from Halloween, leave in your bird feeder or tie to string and hang from trees.

Create homes and shelters

Birdhouses and nesting boxes are valuable shelters that will bring the birds back time and time again.

Leave the leaves and twigs where they are or pile them high in a quiet area of your outdoor space. Smaller creatures and insects go wild for this type of shelter and security. Avoid any disturbance in case of hibernating hedgehogs.

Provide fresh water

Keep bird baths and water bowls top up, particularly in freezing temperatures. Use plant pot saucers and add stones so that birds and animals of all sizes can have a drink.

Plant trees and shrubs with berries

Autumn is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. Those that produce berries are best as not only do they provide our gardens with bright colour, but they also provide birds with vital food sources. Try Hawthorns, Pyracantha and Skimmia japonica.

Let your garden go wild

You might like to neaten up your garden before winter sets in but leaving it a little wild in places gives insects the important shelter they need. Less insects means fewer food sources for our feathered friends. So, if you can, leave things a little messy this year!

Happy Gardening.