Autumn

Birds

Lines of migrant birds start to form familiar paths across the Northern skies as Fieldfare, Redwing & Golden Plover head South in search of warmer weather in the open fields of the Fen landscape (yes warmer!). Large flocks of Golden Plovers roost on the ground in fields and are often seen around Lapwings which are easier to spot due to their lighter plumage. Of those that do not migrate, Rooks become clear against the hardening light roosting in groups of tree tops, often situated just off the low lying land on the ‘islands’ of land that form the upland that many Fen villages populate

Plants

‘Quick the struggling withy branches let the leaves of autumn fly’, Betjeman summed up this seasons most visible change in landscape more succinctly than most. Baring the hard shapes of forthcoming winter against the early morning and later afternoon sun, many plants become like silhouettes. The heads of teasel and berry rich branch exposed for all to see

Insects

Getting progressively fewer in number as the cool evenings start to kill those insects left flying, many of these small creatures seek out tight spaces to survive the approaching winter. Spiders become one of the clearest remaining survivors, ably demonstrating their ability to renew what was brushed aside from door and alleyways the morning before, hoping to catch those late flyers

Mammals

Doing their best to fatten-up and store the autumn’s offerings many mammals prepare to turn in for the winter ahead. The noise of hedgehogs in the garden diminish, and rabbits become clearly visible on verges and banks as the high grasses and cover of summer dies back