As the days draw in and the weather gets colder, it's important to keep making time to get oudoors and connect with nature. In this blog RSPB Scotland Communications Ofiicer, Ross, shares five of his favourite things about nature.
Well, it’s officially scarf season.
Shorter days and colder nights may have you rummaging in the wardrobe for your warmest jacket but it’s well worth getting outside to enjoy the many spectacles of autumn.
From migrant arrivals to picturesque leaf peeping, here are some of the five best things to see on RSPB Scotland nature reserves this autumn.
Whooper Swans
While large skeins of geese may arguably be a greater spectacle, the arrival of Whooper Swans always stands out to me as a sign that autumn has truly arrived.
More than 4000 of the birds come to Scotland for the winter, mainly migrating from Iceland and arriving from October onwards. I took a trip to our Loch of Kinnordy nature reserve recently and heard their distinctive racket long before I spotted one.
Known for their long-nosed profile and white plumage, some birds can be spotted with rust-stained feathers on their head and neck. This is due to some of their Icelandic feeding grounds being rich in iron.
Whooper Swan preening by Ben Andrew.
Waxwings
If you’re in the vicinity of berry-bearing trees like Rowan or Hawthorn, there’s a chance a flock of Waxwings will descend, regardless of whether you live rurally or in the middle of a big city.
I once saw a flock on a particularly large Rowan in the garden of a law firm on Leith Walk in Edinburgh, seemingly oblivious to the bustle of trams, buses and pedestrians below.
Their colourful appearance means they are relatively easy to spot even without binoculars.
The first arrivals tend to be seen along the east coast, but they soon move further inland to spots such as Loch Leven.
Waxwing by Andy Hay.
Leaf peeping
The term ‘leaf peeping’ hails from the USA but refers to the pastime of travelling to areas where autumn foliage can be seen in its full glory.
But there’s plenty of opportunity to take in the gold and russet hues of the season in Scotland.
Leaf peeping aficionados tend to search out areas with a decent array of deciduous tree species to provide the most spectacular variety of colours.
Nature reserves such as Loch Lomond, Loch Leven and Lochwinnoch all provide ample opportunity to enjoy leaf peeping and take in the picturesque scenery.
Jays burying acorns
Jays have an extensive diet, feeding on insects, fruits, nuts and even small mammals.
But it is their habit of burying acorns to be devoured at a later date that sets them apart as emblems of autumn.
Granted, you have to get lucky to witness this behaviour. But if you take a walk through some oak woodland such as that on our Inversnaid nature reserve you’re in with a chance.
Indeed, Jays are regularly spotted in autumn as they move between woodlands searching for food.
Jay in woodland by Ben Andrew.
Fungi
Autumn is also a great time go out looking for the thousands of species of fungi native to Scotland.
Rotting trees and damp soil within woodlands provide the greatest opportunity to spot some of the most fantastical looking organisms the natural world has to offer.
It’s also worth snapping a photo to try and identify what you’ve seen, with some of their names matching the beauty or strangeness of their appearance. Catch sight of a Yellow Staghorn or an Angel’s Wings mushroom and you’ll see what I mean.
The rich forest of Abernethy near RSPB Scotland Loch Garten can boast many different species of fungi, particularly after a period of wet weather.
Angel's Wings fungi, by Molly Martin
Main image: red autumn leaves, by Michael Harvey.