Cooler days and longer nights signal the beginning of autumn, but the heathland isn’t ready to go to sleep just yet. The heather is in full bloom, blanketing the heathland in purple. Listen out for the shrill buzz of a Bog Bush-cricket. In the long grass, keep an eye out for the yellow and black stripes of the Wasp spider, as she waits for her prey. Young reptiles enjoy the last warm days on bare ground before hibernating. Our British White cattle also return to carry out their important conservation grazing of the heath.
Birds of prey circling overhead cast shadows over the heath. Buzzards, Kestrels and Red Kites are all spotted here. See if you can spot a Kestrel hovering above the ground. It must battle the wind to keep its body as still as it can before diving down on its prey.
In the mixed woodlands, light shines through the leaves of the Birch trees as they turn to warm shades of orange, yellow and red.
Fascinating fungi can be seen across the forest floor and clinging to trees and stumps. Look for:
- Cauliflower Fungus
- Death Cap
- Saffron Milk Cap
- Birch Polypore
- Wood Blewit
- Green Elf Cup
- Fly Agaric
The trees and bushes are heavy with berries. Rowan, holly, rosehip and blackberries provide important food for birds, just in time for the colder months ahead. Autumn is a busy time for Grey squirrels and colourful Jays. They ruffle through the leaves as they rush to bury nuts and acorns in secret locations for the winter. Tree stumps become picnic benches for hungry squirrels who scatter the remains of their pinecone feasts.