Autumn Watch is about looking out for autumn 'events'.
Events include the first tint of colour change on leaves, or the first time you notice a tree is bare of leaves.
A list of all the events are in the column on the right.
Autumn Watch is important as it can tell us how long the growing season is (when used with our Spring Watch sightings), or if there is a change in the in autumn events from say 100 years ago. It is also useful for scientists studying climate change.
** Remember you can use the My Sightings menu on the top right to keep track of your own autumn events. You can then compare them year after year.**
Autumn Events
Here are the events to look out for:
1. Tint on 1st FEW leaves - when about 10% of the leaves are turning colour.
2. Tint on ALL leaves.
3. 1st leaves falling - when you see about 10% of the leaves falling.
4. Tree bare - over 90% of the leaves lost.
>> The trees are: Ash, Beech, Horse chestnut, Oak both the Sessile and the Pendunculate, Rowan (also called Mountain Ash) and the Sycamore.
>> Two fungi are on the list for 1st sightings: Fly Agaric and Stinkhorn.
>> Look out for fruits on the Ash, Beech, Blackberry, Horse chestnut and Ivy.
>> Birds come and go throughout the year, so keep and eye out for the first arrivals: Redwing, Fieldfare,
>> Some birds are beginning to stay over the winter: Chiffchaff and Song Thrush.
>> Birds departing the country include the House Martin, Swallow and Swift.
