Despite the feint hope of an Indian summer, the last few days of high winds, heavy rain and chilly temperatures have a much more autumnal feel. For those of you who like me are struggling to believe September is here already, there are a few stark reminders that are starting to ram this home with leaf tint, acorns, windfall fruit and migratory birds gathering making denying the seasonal change very hard!
Heres the question though, what one natural sign is the final straw that signifies the end of summer and the beginning of autumn?
I have picked 10 topical signs that occur throughout this changing of the seasons, although there are lots more that could be more significant to individuals, if i've missed one out let us all know about it and if you want to share your pictures of the signs then go for it!
As an additional discussion, do you feel that the signs of autumn are arriving earlier this year?
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
I've gone for the robin song, though there are other birds that start singing a definate auntumny tune the change in the bird song really makes it autumn!
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Well they are all signs of Autumn but I don't think we shall have a proper autumn this year. In the woods and at Westonbirt Arboretum, although some trees are changing colour, many others have dry dusty looking and brown leaves that are just falling off with no 'show'
isn't wild wonderful
Round my neck of the woods the leaves are falling quickly. The pavements are covered with brown leaves, nuts and acorns already, but the garden birds still think it's spring - I am still seeing baby goldfinches being fed by parents. I haven't heard a robin singing yet.
Nothing to do with the natural world, I always know winter is approaching when Blackpool Lights get switched on, and that was last weekend!! (Plenty of wild life to be seen, but nothing natural!)
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi-
as a Birder I still say autumn starts with the first returning waders so-
last week of July
and ends with the last passage summer migrants so-
first week of November
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
After being to Minsmere,at the weekend, I noticed blackberries on the bushes. The leaves haven't turned reddish here yet. starting to see a few birds now in the garden.
J
Here in rural Ireland there is hardly any blackberries on the bushes, but , the sloes are in good supply (must get the Gin in ready) we have noticed over the last few years it is either a good crop of sloes ,or one of blackberries we never get both in the same season.
The blackberries have formed and come to nothing ,we have had no amount of sun, and it's been very dry,the seed seem very wizened ,and I'm afraid that it will be a lean time for the birds this year,
regards Mick
Work is for those people that don't Bird-watch!!!!
I voted for Spider Webs, because the answer "when next years Calenders are in the shops" was not available.!
Conkers and acorns for me since I am still a big kid and as soon as I see them I immediately think YAY THE JOY OF AUTUMN and throw them at my friends :)
I love Columbidae.
We have a massive Oak tree at the bottom of our garden, when the acorns start dropping we know autumn is here...and they started dropping last week !!
Feed The Birds....not the cats!!!!
I know....my spelling's crap !!
Grandpaddy said: Here in rural Ireland there is hardly any blackberries on the bushes, but , the sloes are in good supply (must get the Gin in ready) we have noticed over the last few years it is either a good crop of sloes ,or one of blackberries we never get both in the same season. The blackberries have formed and come to nothing ,we have had no amount of sun, and it's been very dry,the seed seem very wizened ,and I'm afraid that it will be a lean time for the birds this year, regards Mick
Sloe Gin !! Ah yes a lovely drop of stuff that gives you a warm glow inside. The sloes on our bush are now ready for picking and time for me to get the gin in as well. looking forward to a drop or two over winter ;-)))