Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust: September’s segue from summer to autumn

While September is technically an autumn month according to the meteorological calendar, experience suggests it usually provides scope to savour the last vestiges of summer, writes Erin McDaid of the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.

According to the astronomical calendar, summer ends on September 22 this year.

After the somewhat mixed bag of weather we’ve had so far, I’m planning to eke summer out as long as possible — although the weather over the past few days hasn’t filled me with confidence.

Whatever the weather, Mother Nature clearly signals September’s seasonal segue as hedgerows become heavy with a bountiful crop of berries. These are hurriedly harvested by birds seeking sustenance ahead of migration and mammals building up reserves in preparation for bleaker months ahead.

In addition to migratory birds feasting to build up their energy on the autumnal harvest, species such as terns, curlews and dunlin that have spent the spring and summer in the north of the UK and beyond our northern shores can be seen as they stop off to use our wetland sites.

Birds use these wetlands much as we might call in at a motorway service station for a bit of R and R. Here in the Trent Valley, we are rather spoilt for choice when it comes to fabulous wetlands to watch wildlife. From Attenborough, Skylarks and Netherfield Lagoons in the South of the county to Besthorpe and Langford Lowfields beyond Newark and Idle Valley and Beckingham Marshes Nature Reserves in the North — both birds and wildlife watchers alike have a veritable variety of options in terms of large and diverse wetland habitats.

Now is a great time to visit to see birds on migration. Species travelling south on autumn migration often seem in less of a hurry than those heading north in spring — meaning they may well hang around a little longer for us to enjoy the view. The other benefit of watching birds on autumn migration is that their numbers are swelled by many first-time migrants — juvenile birds with markedly brighter plumage than that of the world-weary adults that have expended so much energy rearing them to the point of readiness for their first long-distance journey.

Young willow warblers are well worth looking out for, being noticeably brighter yellow than the adults. If you’re headed to the seaside this September it is worth looking out for groups of willow warblers feeding along hedgerows or in patches of scrub as they gather at the coast ready to take the next step on their long trip to Africa to spend the winter.

Along with a huge variety of other bird species, you might spot willow warblers feasting on elder berries. Although principally insect eaters, like many species, they will readily take advantage of berries on offer at this time of year — as insect numbers traditionally start to fall. This year, after what seems like a dearth of insects, these berries will be even more welcome.

The berries of the ubiquitous scrubby elder tree are not to our taste, unless perhaps made into wine, and so are usually left for wildlife. They are palatable to a wide range of birds, possibly more species than any other berry, and the small individual berries pack an energy packed punch just when birds preparing for migration need one most.

If you were thinking of heading to one of the county’s fabulous wetland reserves in the days and weeks ahead, our Besthorpe Nature Reserve or the RSPB’s Langford Lowfields reserve next door in Trent Vale would be good options. Over the summer, Besthorpe has become the first site in the county for confirmed breeding records of Great White and Cattle egrets. These new egret records come just over a decade since Besthorpe also produced the county’s first breeding record for little egrets.

Adults and juvenile Great White and Cattle egrets been seen at both sites and adult cattle egrets with juveniles have also been spotted at the Trust’s Skylarks Nature Reserve at Holme Pierrepont in the last few weeks — underlining the value of the county’s restored wetlands as stepping-stones of high-quality habitat along the Trent Valley.

Wetland Wildlife Watching in Trent Vale

We really are lucky to have so many wetlands nature reserves throughout the Trent Valley because of the restoration of former sand and gravel quarries. Two of the very best have been developed in the heart of Trent Vale between the villages of Collingham and Besthorpe - and a visit to both can be the basis for a great day out exploring and connecting with nature.

See for yourself

Besthorpe Nature Reserve — from the A1133, turn into Besthorpe village (south side) and then follow Trent Lane until you see signs on the left for the car park.

For further details visit nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/besthorpe-nature-reserve

Langford Lowfields — from the A1133 turn into Cottage Lane. The gated entrance to the car park is 50m along the lane. For further details visit rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/langford-lowfields

Where is your favourite area to visit for wildlife?