A seasonal wildlife column for November.
Is it autumn or winter?
We often feel the onset of winter in the air of autumn, and particularly during November. But meteorological winter isn't until the 1st December, but all too often it would seem nobody told our weather! But what this month, and this season, often provides are spectacular sunsets. Not to be left out are the mornings which are often shrouded in mist. It can be a magical time of year, even if the daylight hours are shorter.
Often overlooked, at this time of year, are the fungi that thrive in cool, damp conditions. They appear in all sorts of locations, not just woodlands and their vital role as natures recyclers should not be underestimated. As always, be careful of you are tempted to take a closer look at these wonders of nature. Some can be very dangerous, so unless you are an expert, it's best to treat all fungi as a potential threat. Look but don't touch!
Birds continue to feed up ready for the coming winter months. We enjoy, what to many birds is, a mild climate. So even at this time of year, we will continue to attract migrants who may overwinter or refuel before heading further to their wintering grounds. One of the most spectacular, when flying in, is the pink-footed geese. Having spent the summer in Iceland breading, they now arrived in large numbers to locations in the East of England. Even if you are located in other parts of the country, it's worth looking out for them as they arrive in the evening to rest on open water.
Many bird species will be flocking together for safety and warmth, including most of the tit family. Finches too will gather in the shrubs along towpaths and riverbanks as these provide not only sanctuary but also a supply of food in the form of berries. Locations like this are a 'win-win' for the birds if the shrubs are left alone and not cut back to within an inch of their lives! This poses a problem for organisations like CRT who have to balance the needs of waterways users with the needs of wildlife.
Points like these were raised at CRT's recent AGM where the needs of towpath users - many of whom are being encouraged to use towpaths and the surrounding areas the waterways for the first time - have to be considered alongside environmental concerns. This responsibility falls to them as custodians of this environment. Offside vegetation highlights this issue well as it makes navigation, for some, particularly difficult but provides more vital habitat for wildlife. It's not an easy call to make.
Away from some parts of the system, you could be in the right part of the country to see the autumn deer rut. Locations including Derbyshire, Devon, Scotland and a number of parks around the country including Richmond in London, could provide you with an opportunity to see the rut. If you've ever seen this on TV programs like AutumnWatch you'll know how spectacular it can be. So if you are able to see, and let's be honest to hear it, it's worth making an effort.
But if you'd rather something far quieter this part of autumn still provides an opportunity to enjoy the colour of the season in woodland. Add to this the colour of the berries in the hedgerows, and sometimes the colourful fungi mentioned earlier, and you end up with nature brightening up even the dullest of days.
And as I mentioned last year, 'it's not that long until the winter solstice on the 21st December, after this the nights get shorter. The coldest months may still lay ahead of us, but it's a time to look forward to the coming year.'
Often overlooked, at this time of year, are the fungi that thrive in cool, damp conditions. They appear in all sorts of locations, not just woodlands and their vital role as natures recyclers should not be underestimated. As always, be careful of you are tempted to take a closer look at these wonders of nature. Some can be very dangerous, so unless you are an expert, it's best to treat all fungi as a potential threat. Look but don't touch!
Birds continue to feed up ready for the coming winter months. We enjoy, what to many birds is, a mild climate. So even at this time of year, we will continue to attract migrants who may overwinter or refuel before heading further to their wintering grounds. One of the most spectacular, when flying in, is the pink-footed geese. Having spent the summer in Iceland breading, they now arrived in large numbers to locations in the East of England. Even if you are located in other parts of the country, it's worth looking out for them as they arrive in the evening to rest on open water.
Many bird species will be flocking together for safety and warmth, including most of the tit family. Finches too will gather in the shrubs along towpaths and riverbanks as these provide not only sanctuary but also a supply of food in the form of berries. Locations like this are a 'win-win' for the birds if the shrubs are left alone and not cut back to within an inch of their lives! This poses a problem for organisations like CRT who have to balance the needs of waterways users with the needs of wildlife.
Points like these were raised at CRT's recent AGM where the needs of towpath users - many of whom are being encouraged to use towpaths and the surrounding areas the waterways for the first time - have to be considered alongside environmental concerns. This responsibility falls to them as custodians of this environment. Offside vegetation highlights this issue well as it makes navigation, for some, particularly difficult but provides more vital habitat for wildlife. It's not an easy call to make.
Away from some parts of the system, you could be in the right part of the country to see the autumn deer rut. Locations including Derbyshire, Devon, Scotland and a number of parks around the country including Richmond in London, could provide you with an opportunity to see the rut. If you've ever seen this on TV programs like AutumnWatch you'll know how spectacular it can be. So if you are able to see, and let's be honest to hear it, it's worth making an effort.
But if you'd rather something far quieter this part of autumn still provides an opportunity to enjoy the colour of the season in woodland. Add to this the colour of the berries in the hedgerows, and sometimes the colourful fungi mentioned earlier, and you end up with nature brightening up even the dullest of days.
And as I mentioned last year, 'it's not that long until the winter solstice on the 21st December, after this the nights get shorter. The coldest months may still lay ahead of us, but it's a time to look forward to the coming year.'