As temperatures plummet and the days darken it can be tempting to nestle down indoors and dream of sunnier times ahead.
But as the weather changes and the leaves sport stunning shades of russet and gold, our Portmore Lough nature reserve outside Aghalee, County Antrim is at its most magical.
Winter migrants are on their way, including goldeneye ducks from Russia and redwings from Scandinavia. Last year the first whooper swans from Iceland touched down on 7 October so we’re excitedly awaiting their return!
It’s also a great time to raptor-watch on the reserve, as young buzzards soar overhead, hen harriers begin expanding their range and sparrowhawks race though the tree cover to pluck an unsuspecting bird off one of the feeders.
Stand on the raised viewing platform an hour before dusk to experience huge starling flocks, known as murmurations, whoosh overhead and from all angles heading for the Lough. Even after the display has finished you can hear the raucous noise generated by their conversations reverberating out of the reedbed until dark!
The Irish hares have produced lots of leverets this year, thanks to the (some!) sunny weather promoting plenty of tasty sweet grass growth and the badgers are busy cleaning their bedroom chambers and snuffling through the meadows for tasty meals. They can be seen late in the evening wandering their well beaten paths under the viewing platform.
Although there are not many flowers in bloom during autumn it is the best time of year to see fungi. The mushrooms and toadstools you see poking up through the leaf litter and on dead wood are the fruiting bodies. You can spot dung fungi on the meadows, growing up through the konik pony poo, jelly ear fungus dangling like old men’s ears off trees in the woodland and lots of different varieties of bracket and unidentified fungi too!
If that wasn't enough to entice you, just take a look at this gorgeous photo and start planning your visit now at www.rspb.org.uk/portmorelough!
Whooper swan and geese at dusk at Portmore Lough. Photo credit Amy Burns.