Seasons - Autumn
‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’. The red berries
of the Rowan tree start to appear in August and September.
Later come the autumnal colours of the woodland, including
the bright orange Beech trees, the buttery yellow of the
Silver Birch and Rowan, and the reds and browns of the Oak.
October is a great time to collect seed from the Hazel, Oak,
Beech and Crab Apple and grow them on at home (perhaps in
used jars and yogurt pots) to plant out in the woodland, or
your garden in a year or two.
It’s really important to encourage the continuance of local
seed, as this will continue local genetic strains of native
tree species which have adapted over 1000’s of years to
local conditions.
Autumn is also a great time to look for Fungi. In the
woodland and grassland you will see many interesting types
of fungi, some are bright and colourful, some less so. Fungi
are considered the most important group of organisms on the
planet, they play a vital role in recycling dead material
(such as dead plants and animals) and returning it to the
soil in a way that it can be used by other organisms.
When
around Oak watch out for the acorn feeding Jay, with its’
colourful plumage unlike its’ other relatives in the Crow
Family. The Jay is a shy bird, but you may notice its’
screaming call as it streaks across the woodland to collect
and bury acorns – storing them for later in winter.
Autumn is when Ivy blooms. The nectar rich flowers are a
magnet to late flying insects, such as Red Admiral, Peacock,
Painted Lady and Comma butterflies, Hoverflies and Bees.
After dark, various species of moths are attracted to the
heady scent and nectar of Ivy blossom.