Wildlife walks this autumn

Autumn is a fantastic season to get out and about in the British countryside and discover special wildlife. We’ve selected some of our favourite self-guided walks at places we look after, so you can do just that.

Brent geese over Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland

Bird-watching walks 

Autumn is the time to look out for hundreds of varieties of migrant birds, seeking refuge from the harsh winters of Scandinavia, the Arctic and northern Europe. From geese and swans to redwings and fieldfares, there are plenty of birds to look out for. Here are some of our top autumn walks for bird-watching - don't forget to take your binoculars.

Find bird-watching walks
Couple watching deer in the deer park at Studley Royal

Deer rut rambles 

The deer rut is one of the iconic sights of autumn. There are resident deer herds at several of our special places, so pull on your walking boots and see if you can witness the annual spectacle.

See the deer rut
A red squirrel sitting on the branch of a tree

Red squirrel routes 

The red squirrel is an endangered British species. However, by managing their habitats and keeping out grey squirrels, there are opportunities to spot them at places we care for. In autumn the squirrels are easier to spot as they come down from the trees looking for nuts ahead of winter.

Top places to spot red squirrels
Blakeney Grey Seal

Seal-spotting walks 

Atlantic grey seals begin breeding in September, with the pupping season continuing right through until November. We look after several places which are great for spotting these white-furred pups in autumn.

See seal pups