Autumn Approaching

It’s that time of year when the temperatures have dropped a little, a few leaves are beginning to turn ever so slightly golden and brown, and blackberries are popping out from the bramble patches. The first of our summer visitors have left – there will be no more Cuckoos until April, and it’ll be a surprise if another Swift is spotted before May.

Small Heath.

Despite this, there are still plenty of summer signs around Gate Street Barn. Mid to late August always sees a build-up in numbers of Swallows, with family parties congregating over fields where insects are plentiful, and their charming chattering can be heard as they rest on wires or fences. On warmer days several butterfly species are still on the wing, and indeed August is a good time to see Red Admirals, as they undertake their southbound migration.  Other late species like Common and Holly Blues, Small and Large Whites, Commas, Small Heaths and Meadow Browns too can be seen.

Early autumn is a great time to hear Tawny Owls. Britain’s commonest owl species is particularly vocal at this time of year, and on a calm night, if you stand near some woodland for a few minutes, you’ll be surprised at how many you can hear. You could even spot the ghostly figure of a Barn Owl with a bit of luck, a species that has increased around Gate Street Barn and the Wintershall Estate in the past couple of years. The best bet is to drive slowly on the winding road between Slades Farm and Scotsland Farm, keeping an eye out ahead and in the fields to either side.

Yellow Wagtail.

With any changing season, the opportunity for more unusual birds to turn up becomes possible. Plenty of species are already on the move, such as the aforementioned Cuckoos and Swifts, so its worth keeping your eyes out. The cattle around Gate Street Farm are a good place to start – the churned-up mud they create, and more so the insects around them, are very appealing to migrating birds such as Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails. The latter is a true stunner, and while rare here, they turn up each autumn. Next time you’re walking past one of the fields with livestock in, have a look for any birds flitting around on the ground.

I mentioned that blackberries are ripening and becoming ready to pick now. In fact, I collected a few last weekend, and made a pretty good crumble (if I may say so myself!). Elderberries too are in season now, but it will be a few weeks before mushrooms are at their peak. In the meantime, enjoy the last of summers gifts – it won’t be long before the skies are devoid of twisting and turning Swallows, the flowerbeds lacking in prospecting butterflies, and the night’s drawing in.