October

In October the autumnal leaves transform the trees, and once fallen they produce a great carpet blazing with reds and yellows.

Conkers and acorns are dropping and the nights are drawing in. This is the traditional time for animals and insects to begin hibernation, but as the climate changes more species are remaining active for longer.

Wildlife to look out for

Great crested newts come out onto the land to hibernate, dormice hibernate in their nests, and butterflies will sometimes come into houses for a warm place to hide.

Red Deer

October is the perfect time to see red and fallow deer stags rutting to attract females (hinds). They issue a bellowing call (rut) which echoes across the land. Not all can be winners though, and skirmishes may break out between the males while they try to gather and keep the most hinds. Although this is more a show for the ladies, than to cause each other actual harm.

North West: Coniston & Tarn Hows, Lyme Park, Dunham Massey
East Midlands: Calke Park at Calke Abbey
Wales: Dinefwr Park
Wessex: Horner Woods in Holnicote Estate, Brownsea Island
Thames & Solent: Ashridge Estate
East of England: Dunwich Heath, Ickworth House, Park & Gardens
Devon & Cornwall: Arlington Court.
South East: Knole, Petworth House & Park
Northern Ireland: Crom Estate

Birds

Redwings migrate to the UK at this time of year from Scandinavia and Iceland, they can be found all over, particularly in parks, woodlands and fields.

The Pallas’s warbler is a migrant from Asia, and favours shrubby east coastal areas. Large flocks of Pink-footed geese from Greenland and Iceland can be seen, especially in Norfolk and Lancashire. Goldcrests from Scandinavia take residence on the east coast. Jays are often found hopping around woodland floors in search of fallen acorns. And as the nights draw in huge flocks of Starlings perform their stunning aerial acrobatics, truly a wonder of the animal kingdom.

East of England: Wicken Fen

Fungus

This is a wonderful time for the fungi kingdom. The warm wet conditions result in an array of mushrooms and toadstools covering grasslands and woodlands with their beautiful shapes and colours. If you plan to visit any of our properties this autumn perhaps you would like to help us with our Waxcap Watch or take part in a Fungi Foray?

North West: Dunham Massey, Lyme Park
Yorkshire & North East: Malham Tarn & Moor
East Midlands: Clumber Park
Wessex: Brownsea Island, Tyntesfield
East of England: Felbrigg Park, Sheringham Park
Devon & Cornwall: Dodman Point, Lundy Island, Trelissick Garden, Greenway
South East: Knole

Trees

This is harvest time and the apples are falling from the trees. Orchards are a fantastic place to see birds eating fallen fruit and are a great habitat for bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies, feasting before hibernation. This abundance of insects attracts feeding bats, such as the long-eared bats at Killerton. National Apple Day is on 21 October and the Trust has many apple and orchard events to celebrate the apple harvest.

Find Apple and Orchard Day events (select 'Apple and Orchard Days' from Special Theme)

North West: Sizergh Castle & Garden
East Midlands: Woolsthorpe Manor
West Midlands: Attingham Park
Wales: Erddig
Wessex: Hidcote Manor Garden
Thames & Solent: Fenton House
Devon & Cornwall: Killerton, Lydford Gorge
South East: Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Polesden Lacey

The National Trust

October