Nature Notes: November 2023

THE 'TINGLE' FACTOR

Usually a crisp month of dramatic transformation with a contrast of textures, colours, light and sensations, although the start to November has been rather mild and soggy, with persistent rain exacerbated by Storm Ciaran sweeping in.

Highlights of October: Two friendly 'wheat-ears' (old English for 'white' 'arse' with their recognisable 'white rumps') repeatedly rising and alighting on fence posts in a meadow; the Pope's new easy-to-read, truthful exhortation on the climate crisis 'Laudate Deum'; united peaceful action of over 40 UK wildlife organisations calling for the restoration of nature; a young dead grass snake with distinctive yellow and black collar on a farm track (usually in hibernation between October and April); the 'burbling' of skylarks, above the stubble and spilt cobs of harvested Maize; bronze-tinged bracken; yew trees spilling red berries; a loudly 'mewing' squirrel, warning off a red kite; the sparkle of our first frost.

Lowlights: The 'State of Nature report' outlining more devastating declines in our UK wildlife; the curbing of urgent government action needed to save people and planet; the balmy start to October confusing plants and wildlife e.g., afore-mentioned snake and skylarks along with wild honeysuckle flowering amongst rosehips; a dead Queen 'tree bumblebee' on my garden path (making way for new Queens and males to mate).

Key messages: This Remembrance Sunday, let's also remember our lost species and resolve to help all of those with whom we share our world.

What to see/hear/feel in November: the stunning vivid neon pink lobes of spindleberries, revealing their ripe orange covered seeds; young lone foxes wailing or fighting with adults as families break up and the young are dispersed; amazing starling murmurations around dusk; the shapes and textures of plant seed casings such as cow parsley, docks, and teasels around field margins; melting inkcap funghi; the sting of chilled cheeks in the frozen air; the arrival of more fieldfare, redwing and other late migrants.

More likely to see/hear: The gleaming red, shiny poisonous berries of black bryony climbing around our hedgerows like mini tomatoes; the scattering of more seed treasure along with branches from our trees; the shade-shifting of our woods into gold, bronze and scarlet autumn leaves; large noisy flocks of long-tailed tits busily flitting through the trees and visiting our garden feeders.

Ways to get involved:

1) Keep your bird tables topped up and an eye out for late migrants or those who've been forced to stop in the UK to rest and re-fuel.

3) This Guy Fawkes, instead of poisoning our air, knocking out bees, spreading panic and fear amongst our birds, mammals, those with PTSD and 45% of our dogs, why not have a 'sparkling' night inside instead with fairy lights/candles and a glass or two of bubbles?!