Although something in my brain is nagging at me saying that the cold of winter can only just be around the corner, it feels as though autumn is really only just getting going. It seems that the trees have been promising to turn their colours through most of October, but something has been keeping them green and they are only just now beginning to complement the bracken through the forest. The feeling of an extended summer was exacerbated at the end of October when we saw peacock butterflies and dragonflies on the wing still.
A sunny day like today is a fantastic opportunity to get out into the woods, go in search of the seasonal colours, you're are sure to find some and anything extra will be a bonus. You'll see yet more evidence of the fantastic summer we had any time you wander under a sweet chestnut or an oak tree - a fabulous mast year! The guelder rose by the nursery pond at Nagshead has been full of scarlet berries, and the hawthorn are well adorned this year too, so we're hopeful there will be plenty of natural food around to attract in the winter visitors.
There is another guaranteed viewing at Nagshead at the moment too: art students from Gloucestershire College have been working on a special project for us this year, and a range of sculptures, inspired by nature, are on display around the nursery pond.
There is no denying that winter will be here soon though: with the sound of Fieldfares chuckling around the countryside, sightings of Redwing, Brambling and flocks of Crossbill and Siskin around signifying that cold temperatures elsewhere have already prompted them to move this way in search of winter refuge.
With that in mind we dedicated some time during the first winter work party at Highnam Woods to clear some of the reedmace from the pond in front of the hide, and prune back some of the trees in the area. We’ll soon be re-instating the feeders there which we hope will bring close views of the various tit species, along with nuthatch and woodpeckers. Although the car park remains closed we hope you will still find legal parking in the lay-bys nearby and access the site on foot. As contractors will be accessing the site via the car park over the next few months we would like to remind all visitors that it is important that the gates are not blocked by parking in the gateway.