Nature Notes: October/November 2026

ALIGHT

The unseasonal swings of temperatures and weather in October left the trees, like us, shedding a few layers on some days and hanging on tightly to their finery on others, but it was predominantly a month of greens and golds burnished with flames of amber.

October highlights: the sound of skylarks on a cold bright morning; shafts of burnished bronze sunrise beams through green gold trees, lighting flaming paths on the woodland floor; frosted buttercups and dandelions; large sighs of wind sweeping honking skeins of geese across our skies; herons in flight; deer in twos and threes; euphoric 'singing trees' of starlings; the circular interweaving ring dance of rain on the surface of our streams; 'fizzy' tree trunks after the first heavy downpours; bountiful crab-apples, rose-hips and sloes; the excited chatter of long-tailed tits hopping in and out of vine leaves; a spooky 'cobweb tree' looming out of the fog; a mischief of 10 magpies!

Lowlights: the repeated 'arrow-like' merlin attacks on my garden birds; the village kestrel on various neighbours chimney pots 'waiting in the wings' to do the same; lack of insects on still flowering buddleia; the early scattering of red squishy yew berries (normally food for birds in the winter); lack of acorns and sweet chestnuts; an updated study showing that UK bird populations, especially on farmland, have fallen to their lowest level on record; a severe drought declared over parts of our county after months of low rain; the hard ground before storms Austen and Boelo was still a challenge for birds, hedgehogs, badgers and other worm eaters.

Key Messages: bear in mind the birds, wildlife and all animals who are injured or die from fireworks - the sudden loud colourful explosions causing shock, heart attacks, panic and physical collisions as they fly/run into traffic, fences and buildings.

What you can do:

- Be mindful of all your neighbours, checking bonfire piles for hedgehogs and keep any celebrations to Guy Fawkes Night. (For those with animals in houses/stables/barns, soothing Classic FM normally broadcasts 'Pet Classics' between 5-9pm.)

- Celebrate 'Remembrance Day for Lost species' on 30th November by planting native varieties of shrubs like holly, hawthorn or rowan for future food and shelter for insects, birds and mammals.

- Stock up for wildlife with high-fat, high-energy food like seeds and peanuts for birds and tinned pet food for mammals for severe storms, cold or localised flooding from El Nino driven weather.

What to enjoy in November: Jewel-like waxcaps; more flame-like leaves; crunchy frosts; moths; foraging mammals; barn owls in flight; the sound of fieldfares, redwings and other new arrivals on silent nights as they call to keep in touch with each other.

May you too stay connected, to nature, family and neighbours this month and like leaves catching the breeze, may your spirits be continuously uplifted.