Autumn

Autumn has arrived, although some people wait until the equinox on the 21st September.  The weather has changed and there is a definite nip in the air morning and evening.  A walk around the reserve also reflects the changes that autumn brings.  Blackberries are providing food for a whole range of animals, from deer to mice to insects.  Surprisingly some Brambles are still in flower, but these are unlikley to set seed.

It is several months since the Blackthorn was covered in white flowers.  Now the blue berries, sloes, can be seen.

Guelder Rose has white/cream flowers in early summer.  These have set seed and the trees are covered in red berries.  On guided walks, I informed people that nothing ate these berries and they were often left on the tree right through till spring.  Nature can always prove you wrong, as we then watched a Blackbird having a good feed!

 Another red berry to be seen across the reserve is Hawthorn.  In a few weeks the winter thrushes will arrive and enjoy a feast.

Not all the trees have had a good year.  Last year the Beech tree at the beginning of the Sycamore Avenue (which should now be called Maple Avenue - slight hiccup in ID!!) was covered in Beech Mast, but there is none this year.  The Crab Apples and apple trees in the orchard have done well.