Natural World Winter 2023 by The Wildlife Trusts

The Wildlife Trusts’ digital magazine

NaturalWorld Winter 2023

WINTER ON THE FARM

Cheep what you sow Jordans farmers give birds a helping hand

FROZEN IN TIME

How pressing pause helps insects survive the winter

LIVING STATUES

Six places to see ancient and amazing trees

Welcome

to your winter Natural World

Contents

3 Keep a wild heart in winter

Naturalist and presenter Iolo Williams shares his views on species reintroductions.

4 UK news

A round-up of news from Wildlife Trusts across the UK.

s I write this, I get a sad sense of déjà vu. Nature has once again come under attack from the UK Government – at a rate that’s hard to keep up with. Throughout last summer, the Government made promises to the British people, and to Parliament, that it would not “lower environmental protections or standards”. Sadly, they lied. In August the Government announced plans to weaken legislation on water pollution to allow developers to profit from the pollution of our rivers. They targeted rules on ‘nutrient neutrality’ in England, which stipulate that new housing developments in certain river catchments must not make river pollution worse. Fortunately, following intense campaigning from The Wildlife Trusts and other environmental organisations, the House of Lords voted to reject this deplorable attempt to pit housing against nature. We need new houses, but it’s perfectly possible to build them without further polluting our rivers. This was followed in September by an overhaul of the UK Government’s climate commitments, pushing back the policies needed to reduce emissions. This included scrapping plans to help ensure that homes are better insulated, which would lower both emissions and household energy costs. Not too long ago, the UK Government was making some ambitious commitments to tackle the nature and

climate crisis. Sadly, it now seems to have become a political football. Meanwhile, we helped launch a new State of Nature report, showing just how much trouble the UK’s wildlife is in. The report’s headlines included a decrease in the populations of 38% of species, with 16% of the species in Great Britain now threatened with extinction. Many of us are witnessing these declines firsthand, and even these staggering statistics do not do justice to the loss we are experiencing. This year will see the next general election, with the people of the UK having the chance to choose their representatives in government. It’s vital that whichever party wins, they put climate and nature at the forefront of their manifesto. Wildlife is declining at alarming rates and the effects of the climate crisis are felt more keenly every year. No party has yet set out an ambitious plan that would actually put nature in recovery and we’re running out of time. To outline exactly what we want to see, and what nature needs from the government, The Wildlife Trusts have created a set of key priorities. These cover everything from water quality to bringing back lost wildlife. Each priority sets out simple steps for how it can be achieved. You can read the details on page four of this magazine. It’s vital that we all keep fighting to put climate and nature at the top of the political agenda.

6 6 places to see terrific trees Start your quest to see these enchanting insects.

8 Pressing pause

Discover temperate rainforests, one of the UK’s most precious habitats.

12 Sowing survival

Enter the wonderful watery world of nudibranchs.

14 Saving water for wildlife Tips for feeding yourself and your wild neighbours.

The Wildlife Trusts Get in touch

Natural World is the digital magazine for The Wildlife Trusts Email enquiries@wildlifetrusts.org Telephone 01636 677711 Address Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, The Kiln, Mather Road, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG24 1WT Registered charity number 207238 Website wildlifetrusts.org facebook.com/wildlifetrusts twitter.com/WildlifeTrusts instagram.com/thewildlifetrusts Wherever you are in the UK, your Wildlife Trust is standing up for wildlife and wild places in your area and bringing people closer to nature. Front cover: Polycera quadrilineata © Alexander Mustard/2020VISION

Craig Bennett

Chief Executive, The Wildlife Trusts Follow me on Twitter, @CraigBennett3

Natural World | Winter 2023

The Wildlife Trusts Editor Tom Hibbert Designer Ben Cook

WILD THOUGHTS

James Brittain-McVey @TheVampsJames

@jamesmcvey

FERAL PIGEON © JUAN MANUEL BORRERO, NATUREPL.COM

Keep a wild heart in winter I love spending time in nature. There’s just something special about getting outside, seeing wildlife, feeling like you’re part of something bigger. But we live busy lives, finding time isn’t always easy. When I’m in the studio, or on tour, it’s so easy to forget just how important time in nature is, and how it’s always just beyond the door. That’s why I’m a huge fan of The Wildlife Trusts’ 30 Days Wild challenge. It’s all about everyday actions. That’s the amazing thing about experiencing nature – it doesn’t have to be something big. Taking a few minutes outside, watching a bird or standing under a tree, can be just as powerful as spending a whole day exploring a forest or walking along a beach. It just gives you a rush of happiness that’s hard to find anywhere else. In winter, we need that feeling more than ever. But it can sometimes seem harder to find. Days are shorter and darker. The leaves and flowers are mostly gone. Those sunny June memories of 30 Days Wild with bees, birdsong and butterflies seem like a lifetime ago. But remember the message: do one wild thing a day. It’s not always easy, but try to find the time and I promise you that you won’t regret it. I live in a city, but even there I can head outside and find some mood-boosting wildlife. I can head to the park and see birds flying around the bare trees, or take a walk along the river. Watching the water flow by can give you an incredible sense of peace,

even on the gloomiest winter day. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, you don’t even have to go that far. We have so much wildlife on our doorstep, just waiting for us to enjoy it. Earlier this year, I had surgery on my vocal cords. I couldn’t sing, couldn’t even talk for months. Spending time in nature really helped with my recovery. I even came up with the melody for my new single whilst walking around a park. The power that nature has to heal and inspire us is incredible. There are definitely days when it feels harder. When it’s cold outside and the couch feels too comfy to leave. But make that effort, even if it’s just to step outside for a moment. See if you can hear a robin singing, or even just spot a pigeon. Feel the breeze on your skin, or touch a tree and trace the texture of the bark. Find that little something that reminds you that nature is all around us, that we’re connected to it. Take it in, let it fill your soul, ground you to our amazing world. It’s therapeutic and good for us on so many levels. Just one little moment a day is all it takes to keep your heart wild, and a wild heart will make winter so much more wonderful.

Find out more about how nature can help our health and wellbeing at wildlifetrusts.org/wellbeing

A WINTER CHALLENGE

If, like James, you’re missing the fun of 30 Days Wild, why not take on our festive version – 12 Days Wild! Can you do one wild thing a day from the 25th December to the 5th January? Find out more and get inspired at wildlifetrusts.org/ 12dayswild

James Brittain-McVey is a nature lover and musician, best known as the guitarist for The Vamps. He has been an ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts since 2021, inspiring his fans to think about their impact on the natural world. James’s new solo single, Dancing on the Head of a Needle, is out now.

Natural World | Winter 2023

UK NEWS UK UPDATE

Nature for the people

River restoration should be high on the agenda, with pollution threatening wildlife like kingfishers

he coming year will bring with it a general election, with the people of the UK given the opportunity to choose their representatives in government. One thing is clear: whichever party forms the UK Government, they must make it a priority to tackle the nature and climate crisis.

The Wildlife Trusts have created a set of asks detailing what we want to see – and what nature needs – from the UK Government. Our asks are broken down into five key sections, each with three simple steps outlining how it can be achieved. The Wildlife Trusts are calling for whomever makes the next UK Government to:

Bring back our lost wildlife

Nature is declining at a speed never previously seen and shows no signs of slowing. We need the Government to reverse this trend and put nature into recovery. They must ensure that at least 30% of land and sea is protected for it by 2030. They must also stop the damage to our seas through sewage discharges and river pollution, as well as safeguarding Marine Protected Areas from development and destructive fishing methods. Finally, we want to see wild beavers in every major river catchment in England, Scotland and Wales – restoring wetlands and making space for nature.

End river pollution

Many of the UK’s rivers are polluted beyond legal limits, and less than half are in good condition ecologically – but the Government can take action. Firstly, they must ensure that environmental watchdogs have the powers and resources to enforce the law, with regular monitoring and commensurate penalties for parties who knowingly break it. They must halve nutrient pollution from sewage, wastewater and agriculture by 2030. Finally, we need stronger protection for chalk streams, one of the world’s rarest habitats.

Fund wildlife-friendly farming

Farming is one of the main causes of wildlife declines, but it doesn’t have to be. Government can support farmers to grow in harmony with nature and help bring wildlife back. They need to double the budget for wildlife-friendly farming, halve the use of pesticides and protect farming against climate change. The extreme heat and droughts in 2017 and 2022 provided a taste of the reality to come; farmers need more support to adapt to climate change.

Green our communities KINGFISHER © JOSHUA COPPING

Too many of us live in polluted, nature-deprived neighbourhoods. These poor quality living conditions are damaging people’s health and cutting lives short. We need a Natural Health Fund to reduce the strain on the NHS and public services. We need a legally mandated right to a clean and healthy environment, protecting nature and the health and wellbeing of us all. And we need all children to be given the opportunity to learn outdoors.

Tackle the climate emergency

Climate change is driving nature’s decline, whilst the loss of wildlife and wild places leaves us ill-equipped to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to change. It’s a vicious cycle that demands immediate action. We need the UK Government to help nature and people adapt to climate change, protect the blue carbon in our marine environments, and make our homes more energy efficient. 4

Natural World | Winter 2023

UK NEWS

UK HIGHLIGHTS

In hot water Summer saw global sea surface temperatures reach an all time high, with worrying implications for the world’s wildlife. In August, the Copernicus climate modelling service reported that the global average daily sea surface temperatures hit 20.96°C, breaking the record of 20.95°C set in 2016. The changes to sea temperature we are already seeing as the climate warms are particularly dangerous to unique and threatened ecosystems, such as warm water coral reefs. This risk was demonstrated this summer in Florida, where corals were not only bleaching at alarming rates, but dying very quickly. The UK’s seas will not be immune to the changes we are seeing now. June saw an extreme marine heatwave develop off our coasts. Sustained high temperatures can lead to the death and changes in behaviour of fish and other marine wildlife, with significant impacts on food webs.

Alongside the record sea surface and land surface temperatures, the last year has also seen unprecedented changes in the extent of Antarctic sea ice and wildfires. Other extreme weather was also widespread, with many catastrophic heatwaves and flooding incidents around the world. As the impacts of a warming planet become more obvious, the Wildlife Trusts are urging this UK Government to accelerate action on climate change. It’s vital that we reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, but also that we do more to adapt to the changes we are already seeing. The impacts of climate change will keep getting worse until the world hits net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Global emissions are still increasing, and haven’t started to drop yet. Find out more about combatting the climate and nature emergency at wildlifetrusts.org/emergency

Grey partridges are just one of the threatened species that will benefit

A model approach The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is growing a sustainable alternative to goose-feather down. BioPuff®, which can replace feathers in padded jackets, is made from the fluffy seadheads of bulrushes. The Trust plans to re-wet agricultural peatland to grow the bulrushes, protecting the carbon in the peat and reducing emissions. wtru.st/bulrush-clothing

The buffalo-down Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust has introduced a herd of water buffalo to improve rare fen habitat at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve. These hardy animals will graze the ditches and marshy areas that cows prefer to avoid, preventing the need for heavy machinery to clear scrub and improve the site for wildlife such as water voles. wtru.st/herts-buffalo

New fund for nature’s recovery The Wildlife Trusts are ramping up plans to combat the nature crisis thanks to a £6 million investment from the Ecological Restoration Fund. The money will support rewilding projects, the reintroduction of keystone species and better protections for marine and coastal habitats. The programme will work towards creating bigger and more connected wild areas for nature’s recovery, which

Discover how The Wildlife Trusts are helping wildlife across the UK

GREY PARTRIDGE © DAVID TIPLING/2020VISION; WATER BUFFALO © ROBERT PHILLIPS

UK UPDATE

are essential to protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. Projects that will benefit include a coast-to-coast nature recovery programme along Hadrian’s Wall, peatland restoration in Northern Ireland, and wetland restoration across the River Severn catchment. Find out more at wildlifetrusts.org/6-million-ERF

Seeing reddish Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has rediscovered one of the UK’s rarest moths. The reddish buff is only found on one site in the country, a Wildlife Trust nature reserve on the Isle of Wight, but had not been recorded since 2019. This year, the Trust’s annual survey revealed two adult moths. wtru.st/seeing-reddish

Natural World | Winter 2023

6 places to see

FROSTY OAK TREE © GUY EDWARDES/2020VISION

terrific trees

Natural World | Winter 2023

rees are impressive at any time of year. They can live for centuries, the shape of their trunks and branches telling the story of their long lives. Some grow tall, others wide and sprawling, creating natural, living statues. Winter is a wonderful time to discover the UK’s old and unusual trees, as many have shed their leaves, revealing the unique shapes beneath. Here are six Wildlife Trust nature reserves where the trees have a story to tell. You can discover even more at wildlifetrusts.org/ancient-trees

See the spectacle

for yourself 1

Glenarm, Ulster Wildlife One of Europe’s best examples of wooded river valley and parkland, with large numbers of ancient and veteran oak trees. Keep an eye out for signs of mammals including red squirrels, pine martens and badgers. Where: Glenarm, BT44 0BD 2 The Hollies, Shropshire Wildlife Trust A spellbinding grove of ancient hollies, perched on the edge of the Stiperstones. Each windswept tree is a unique character. Some are three or four centuries old, wizened and creaking with age. Where: Snailbeach, SY5 0NS Moseley Bog, Birmingham & Black Country Wildlife Trust Moseley Bog is a gateway to Middle Earth. The gnarled old trees were a favourite of author JRR Tolkien, who lived nearby. They provided the inspiration for the old forests in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Where: Birmingham, B13 9JX 3

Hethel Old Thorn, Norfolk Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trusts’ smallest nature reserve is just large enough to protect a single, very special tree. Hethel Old Thorn is thought to be one of the oldest hawthorns in England. Legend has it that the tree grew from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. Where: Wymondham, NR14 8HE 5

Cwm Byddog, Radnorshire Wildlife Trust One of the top 20 ancient tree sites in Wales, with some trees thought to be up to 800 years old. One mighty oak has a girth of 6.3m, whilst there’s an alder with a 5m girth. With so many old trees, it’s also a great place to see lichens. Where: Powys, HR3 5SL Alderney Community Woodland, Alderney Wildlife Trust This may not be the oldest woodland on our list, but these trees tell a story. Many of Alderney’s trees were felled by the Nazi’s during WWII, so the Trust has planted over 12,000 trees to bring the woodland back. This history is evident in the Community Woodland, with several bunkers on the reserve. Where: Les Rochers, Alderney 6

Did you spot any tree-mendous trees? We’d love to know how your search went. Please share your best photos! @wildlifetrusts

WINTERING 7-SPOT LADYBIRDS © PREMAPHOTOS, NATUREPL.COM

Insects have an incredible trick for surviving the harsh weather of winter, as entomologist Dr Ross Piper reveals. 8

Magazine Name | Summer 2023

uman ingenuity and technology have enabled us to thrive in every corner of the globe, from the chilly polar regions to the sweltering tropics and everywhere in between. Insects might lack our technology, but this hasn’t limited their own ability to colonise and thrive in just about every terrestrial and freshwater habitat there is. How are these animals able to survive extremes of temperature: the cold winters of temperate locations and periods of intense heat and drought? These six-legged marvels have evolved a number of ways of dealing with extremes, from waxy exoskeletons that minimise water loss to behaviours such as migration. However, they also have an ability that makes them more-or-less immune to the vagaries of the environment. It is known as diapause. This phenomenon is easily overlooked and is as remarkable as it is subtle; a

period of seeming calm and inactivity that belies extreme changes at the cellular level. In response to challenging environmental conditions, insects can stall their development, effectively pressing the pause button until conditions improve. The diapausing animal is still alive, but its cellular machinery shifts from cells dividing and organs developing to a state of ‘tick-over’ and maintenance. With that said, some diapausing insects may even remain active, but they feed less and their reproductive development will be slowed or halted. How does this differ from the hibernation we see in mammals? In hibernation, metabolism slows and body temperature drops, but in essence, it is a very deep sleep. In contrast, diapause is a much more extreme form of inactivity, as the life of an insect in this state is effectively ‘paused’.

Natural World | Winter 2023

PRESSING PAUSE

Hide to survive In a deep state of diapause, the insect can’t respond to danger and flee from predators, but usually diapause takes place in the soil, behind flaking bark, deep within a plant stem or in some similar sheltered location, offering a degree of protection from these external threats. If you go out searching for insects in the depths of winter, it’s not difficult to find lots of examples of diapause. You might discover beetles, wasps and lots more besides under the bark of a dead tree, a whole community of diapausing species in a grassy tussock, or eggs and myriad larvae in the upper parts of the cold soil. Across the vast diversity of insect life, diapause is extremely common; however, for any given insect species the phenomenon only typically occurs in a single stage of the life cycle. Often, diapause happens in the immature stages of the life cycle – the eggs or the larvae – but it can also occur in the pupae as well as the adults. Take, for example, the peacock butterflies you might find in your garden shed in the depths of winter. These are in diapause and in really cold snaps you can even see ice on them. Shutting down for the colder months, the bodies of these diapausing

butterflies will undergo some radical changes, such as the production of anti-freeze chemicals and the shrinkage of their flight muscles, which will grow back to normal size as diapause comes to an end. How is this strange state triggered? It’s not as though a jaded insect suddenly decides one day that it needs a long rest. The actual triggers are environmental and rather subtle. In insects that need to survive the winter, it is falling temperatures and shorter day length that trigger the cellular changes needed for diapause. For example, blowfly maggots frantically feeding on a carcass in autumn will respond to the decreasing day length and falling temperatures by guzzling the decaying matter they need, before crawling out of the carcass and burrowing into the soil. Normally, the maggots would pupate straight away, but the physiological response to the shortening days and lower temperatures is stalled development, so the maggots don’t pupate until the following spring. The raft of changes that occur inside the body of the diapausing insect can include the production of compounds and proteins that protect delicate cellular structures from the ravages of extreme temperatures.

Dr Ross Piper is an entomologist, ecologist, author and presenter. His pursuit of insects, especially beetles, has taken him around the world.

In some insects, flight muscles get smaller at the onset of diapause and then increase in size again towards the end

Natural World | Winter 2023

PRESSING PAUSE

The UK’s insect populations have suffered drastic declines, with far-reaching consequences for wildlife and people. Find out how you can help reverse these declines at

Biding their time With its life on pause, a diapausing insect is capable of some extremely impressive feats of survival. Take the large copper butterfly (which was once found in the UK but is now sadly extinct here); the caterpillars of this fenland species can handle being completely submerged in fresh or brackish water for 28 days with no impact on survival. They can go on for much longer too, at least 84 days, but beyond 28 days fewer of them make it through the ordeal. This underscores just how little metabolism is going on in the diapausing insect; it must be using a vanishingly small amount of oxygen to survive underwater for such a long period of time. Perhaps the most nefarious exhibition of diapause is in parasitoid wasps and flies. The female parasitoid will deposit her eggs, either singly or en masse, into or onto the unfortunate host. Depending on the species, the development of the eggs or young parasitoid larvae will be stalled until the host becomes acceptably plump and ripe for being devoured. As well as the normal triggers of diapause, these parasitoids may be able to pause their development by detecting levels of certain hormones in the host that indicate when development should be stalled and when it should be kickstarted. The active larva of the remarkable, albeit ghoulish small-headed flies seek out their host, a spider, and tunnel into its body, often through the leg joints. Once inside, the larva will make for the book lungs (the spider’s respiratory system) and there any further development will be halted, sometimes for many years, until the spider is sufficiently sized for the fly larva to grow and pupate. When the spider is pleasingly plump the larva jolts into action, swiftly consuming the innards of the doomed host. Sometimes, and adding insult to injury, the larva induces the host to spin a protective web that will shelter it during pupation. This ability to slow or halt development is one of the cornerstones in the success of the insects. It allows them to sit out extreme conditions, sometimes for very long periods, waiting for the better times to return.

A parasitoid wasp (Netelia vinulae) laid these eggs on a puss moth caterpillar. Development of the larvae within the eggs will be paused until after the host has spun a cocoon to pupate in

wildlifetrusts.org/action-for-insects

Magazine Natural World Name | Winter 2023

“You don’t need to do a lot on the farm to make a big difference – it’s all about getting the right habitat in the right place”

Robert Law, Jordans farmer

Natural World | Winter 2023

Sowing Survival Farmland covers a vast area of the UK, around 70% of our land, so the way farms are managed has huge implications for our wildlife. As farmland developed, many animals adapted to take advantage of the habitats it provided. There were hedgerows to hide in, ponds to drink from, and a wide variety of plants to provide food. But as farming has intensified over the years, many of these features have been lost, with a big impact on the wildlife that has grown to rely on them. Nature was pushed to the margins, and in some places even those margins were lost. But some farms are bucking the trend. Through the pioneering and industry-leading Jordans Farm Partnership, The Wildlife Trusts and Jordans work together to support the farmers that grow oats for Jordans cereals, helping them to farm in harmony with nature. Every farmer in the partnership is committed to managing at least 10% of their farmed land for wildlife, though many go well beyond that – the average is 27%! These farms are full of conservation success stories, from rare nesting stone curlews to buzzing insect populations. In winter they provide vital food supplies, particularly for birds. There are finches and buntings mingling in mixed flocks in the fields, with yellowhammers adding a splash of colour. Charms of goldfinches live up to their collective name, taking to the air with a chorus of soft, jingling calls. Larger birds like lapwings and golden plovers scour the soil for invertebrates, whilst redwings and fieldfares gorge themselves in berry-laden hedges. In many cases, the work that Jordans farmers do throughout the year continues to pay off in winter. The hedges, rough field margins, woodlands, ditches, and ponds they create and protect provide shelter and a natural food source. At Hatchepen Farm in Hertfordshire, 2.5 kilometres of hedgerow have recently been created, a welcome sight to the grey partridges, corn buntings, finches and thrushes that spend the winter on the farm. But birds have a big appetite in winter, so many of the farmers take extra measures to feed their

feathered friends. They plant their very own bird buffet, known as a wild bird cover crop. This is an area of crops grown just for the birds, left unharvested to provide seeds that birds can feast on throughout the winter. The exact mix of plants varies from farm to farm. On Ragley Hall farm in Warwickshire, farmer Andrew Keyte sows a mix including linseed, millets, and sunflowers. Over winter this feeds finches, yellowhammers, sparrows and other birds. Many other Jordans farmers enjoy a similar selection of birds on their dedicated plots. To provide even more of a helping hand, the farmers may also offer supplementary feeding, scattering seeds across their land to tide birds over until spring. A winter bird survey of Woodhall Farm in Hertfordshire recorded hundreds of bramblings and linnets taking advantage of the bird crops and extra seeds. Some of these bramblings may have flown over 2,000km from Fennoscandia to find enough food for the winter.

You can learn more about the Jordans Farm Partnership, and how the growers are helping wildlife thrive on their farms, at wildlifetrusts.org/jordans-farm-partnership

Winter on a Jordans Farm

Saving water

We’ve all noticed the recent changes in weather patterns. More of us are experiencing drought more often, and can expect to more frequently in future. Winter is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for a parched spring and summer. Wildlife suffers in drought. Birds like robins and blackbirds struggle to find worms and grubs to feed their chicks when the soil dries up. What’s more, leaves shrivel, putting caterpillars and other grubs that eat them at risk, while flowers produce less nectar, which has a knock-on effect on pollinators. As gardeners, we should adapt to drier conditions by growing more drought-resilient plants, but we mustn’t neglect the wildlife that also uses our gardens. By topping up bird baths and ponds, using grey water to hydrate our plants and providing supplementary food when natural sources have (literally) dried up, we can make life easier for wildlife struggling to adjust to climate change. Our reliance on mains water should be at the heart of dealing with drought. Aim to use less tap water,

which means saving more rainwater. Collecting water in winter to use in spring and summer will not only keep your garden growing and your wildlife thriving, but will also reduce pressure on reservoirs and rivers when it’s dry, and sewerage systems when it’s wet. When reservoirs dry up our rivers are drained as back-up but, conversely, heavy showers can result in sewage discharges into rivers and the sea. Everything is connected – simply by saving rainwater and using less mains water we can save local species, save entire river ecosystems, and still have attractive, species-rich gardens.

Get more tips for growing in harmony with nature at mycoronationgarden.org

Kate Bradbury is passionate about wildlife-friendly gardening and the author of Wildlife Gardening for Everyone and Everything. Recently, she has provided advice for the Coronation Gardens for Food and Nature website.

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE

Save water Invest in water butts now to store up winter rain. Buy as many as you can afford and connect them to the downpipe of your house for maximum flow. (Councils may offer cheaper versions or you might find a bargain at your local tip.)

Make a rain garden If budget allows, transform your space so that all rainwater soaks into the soil slowly, rather than going down the drain.

Create shade Grow tall plants or trees, or let your hedge grow taller rather than cutting it back this winter. Plants in shade are less likely to scorch and the soil remains wetter.

Use grey water Keep a bucket in your shower, a washing up bowl in your kitchen sink, and syphon water from your bath to hydrate your garden. Use eco detergents to reduce the impact on soil health and use the water immediately so it doesn’t go bad.

Add a pond Now’s a good time to dig a pond, which should fill naturally before spring. Ensure it has shallow margins and sloping sides, and consider running a pipe from your shed roof so it fills automatically when it rains.

Mulch the soil Cover bare areas of earth with bark chippings, home-made compost, gravel or even plant material to lock in moisture, which will help plants grow.

Grow more plants Cover every inch of space with plants, including climbers up walls and fences. The more plants you grow, the more humid your environment, the less dry the local atmosphere.

Grow drought-tolerant plants Replace thirsty plants like Astrantia, astilbe and persicaria with drought-resilient plants like lavender and salvia, but don’t stop growing natives as many species rely on them.

Natural World | Winter 2023