WITH some of the hottest September temperatures on record, it's only in the past week that we've begun to feel autumn is really here.

Naturalists base the start of autumn not by a set date or a single celestial event but instead on phenology - the changes in the natural world, such as the tinting of the trees and the ripening of autumn fruits.

As winter approaches, now is a good time to think about how we can help wildlife through the most difficult months.

The main theme of the wildlife garden in winter is to leave things as undisturbed as possible, remembering the many different species hiding in various spots until the weather improves.

Less is more at this time of the year.

Here are some top tips. Try to leave herbaceous and hollow-stemmed plants unpruned until early spring even if they do look very untidy.

These can provide homes for overwintering insects, such as ladybirds.

For early colour and interest plant some native bulbs under trees and shrubs to help provide early nectar and this can be done right up until Christmas.

Primrose, Primula vulgaris - the yellow flowers provide an early source of nectar in spring, while the leaves are food for butterfly larvae and finches eat the seeds.

Sparrows, finches and nuthatches will enjoy prising the seeds out of sunflowers, so leave those seed heads a little longer.

Globe thistle, Echinops ritro & Teasel Dipsacus fullonum - are great architectural perennials, with spherical blue flower heads drying into striking seed heads which capture Jack Frost's artistry.

The flowers attract bees and butterflies, and birds eat the seeds.

Traditionally nest boxes are put up in spring but cautious small birds prefer to familiarise themselves with new structures before taking up residence, so October is a good time to erect new boxes and clean out existing ones of old bedding material ready for new nests in spring.

Leave the areas under hedges and around the boundary of the garden undisturbed as they are important corridors for the many small mammals which remain active through the winter.

Be careful when you turn compost heaps so not to disturb their winter resorts. Hedgehogs make a nest for their hibernation with walls up to 10cm thick, so need all the help they can get.

The winter months are likely to be the most challenging time for many species but we can make a significant difference with a little thought and planning.