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.

Couple watching deer in the deer park at Studley Royal
Walking 

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
Walking 

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 England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 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
Walking 

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
Brent geese over Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland
Walking 

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 places to see brent geese
Orange coloured fungus

Fungi forays 

In autumn when the weather is wet but still warm enough to provide good conditions for growth, woodland floors burst with mushrooms and toadstools. Both living and dead trees provide habitat for bracket fungi, which cling to the bark. Fungi can be poisonous, so make sure to always take an identification guide or an expert with you.

Come along to one of our foraging events