The stunning shimmering autumn colours of autumn are all too ephemeral, and with the strong winds of late, many of the trees have already lost their leaves. Hurry down to one of the reserves to treat your eyes on this annual phenomenon before it all too quickly dissapears.
Leaf fall does bring about one great advantage however, which is especially pronounced in a woodland environment. It becomes MUCH easier to view birds! Still hoping for a glimpse of a hawfinch, or an elusive lesser spotted woodpecker? Then come and try your luck at Nagshead when the trees are bare. But, be warned you will still need a huge amount of patience and luck (especially for the latter)!
Large flocks of newly arrived redpoll and siskin can be be seen flitting about feeding on the birch trees.
Also very obvious in hedgerows at present are the beautiful bright red (but very poisonous) berries of the black bryony (Tamus communis).