Nature spot: what to look for this autumn 

Autumn is a beautiful time of year to get outdoors and explore the natural world. The leaves change colour, the air becomes crisp, and there is a sense of change and excitement in the air. If you’re looking at ways to share the changing environment with your students in autumn we’ve got you covered! Here are some of the things you can look out for in nature during the autumn months:

Changing leaves

One of the most iconic signs of autumn is the changing leaves. As the days get shorter and cooler, the trees begin to prepare for winter by shutting down their chlorophyll production. This causes the leaves to lose their green colour and reveal the other pigments that are present, such as yellow, orange, and red.

The best time to see the autumn leaves in the UK is typically between mid-October and early November. However, the exact timing can vary depending on the weather conditions and the type of tree. Some of the best places to see the autumn leaves include:

• The New Forest National Park in Hampshire
• The Lake District National Park in Cumbria
• The Cairngorms National Park in Scotland
• Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire
• Stourhead in Wiltshire

Migrating birds

Another sign of autumn is the migration of birds. Many bird species that breed in the UK during the summer months migrate to warmer climates during the winter to escape the cold weather and find food. Some of the bird species that you can see migrating in the UK during the autumn include:

• Swallows
• House martins
• Sand martins
• Swifts
• Cuckoos
• Cranes
• Geese

If you are interested in showing your students migrating birds, there are a number of birdwatching hotspots around the UK. Some popular choices include:

• Spurn Point in Yorkshire
• Dungeness in Kent
• RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk
• RSPB Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire
• Fair Isle in Shetland

Fruits and berries

Autumn is a great time to forage for fruits and berries in the UK. There are a number of different species that ripen during this time of year, such as:

• Blackberries
• Elderberries
• Sloes
• Rosehips
• Wild raspberries
• Crab apples
• Hazelnuts

When foraging, it is important to be aware of which fruits and berries are safe to eat – which can be an interesting lesson for students as they forage their way through the landscape. It is also important to leave plenty for wildlife, as many animals rely on these food sources during the winter months.

Fungi

Autumn is also a great time to spot fungi in the UK. There are a number of different species that grow during this time of year, some of which are edible and some of which are not. Some of the common edible fungi that you can find in the UK during the autumn include:

• Chanterelles
• Field mushrooms
• Oyster mushrooms
• Hedgehogs
• Puffballs

If you are interested in foraging for fungi, it is important to be aware of which species are safe to eat. It is also important to be aware of the different stages of growth of each species, as some fungi are only edible at certain stages.

Other things to look out for

In addition to the things listed above, there are a number of other things you can look out for in nature in the UK during the autumn months. These include:

• Migrating insects. Some insects, such as butterflies and dragonflies, also migrate during the autumn months.
• Changing animal behaviour. Many animals start to prepare for winter during the autumn months. For example, squirrels start to hoard nuts and birds start to flock together.
• Farmers harvest their crops in the autumn months. This means that there is often a lot of activity in the countryside during this time of year.

So, get your students outside and explore the natural world this autumn and see what you can find!