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How autumn weather affects the behaviour of British animals and plants

Autumn brings a host of ripening fruit and vegetables harvested by humans and wild animals alike. Mice and squirrels can be seen gathering and storing nuts. Deciduous trees lose their leaves which provide food for worms, fungi and slime molds. Visiting birds such as swallows gather to migrate abroad, while geese arrive from cold countries to overwinter here. As the days shorten, humans enjoy Halloween and Bonfire Night. The weather begins to get worse and heavy rains swell rivers and cause flooding. Frost covers the countryside and as much of the wild food runs out, some mammals begin hibernation.

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4 minutes