As we begin to see the drizzly days of this year's summer slowly fade, a gentle transformation sweeps the landscape. Leaves adorned in shades of amber and crimson begin their graceful descent, carried by the crisp breath of autumn. The air turns cooler, hinting at cosy gatherings and the promise of new beginnings amidst nature's vibrant metamorphosis.

Rowan Berries

These bright red beacons can only be admired as nature’s very own rubies. You can see these beautiful berries adorning the delicate, drooping branches of the rowan tree around late summer or early autumn. They can be spotted making a poignant appearance amidst hedgerows in high-altitude locations. When visiting moorland reserves, like Wetley Moor Common and Gun Moor, you may be lucky enough to see these shining beauties for yourself.

Rowan berries invite a variety of bird species to feast upon them, such as blackbirds, mistle thrush and waxwings. With their rich nutritional value and birds looking to increase their food reserves over the impending winter, these jewelled fancies provide an excellent meal choice for these birds. 

Hawthorn haws

Emerging around the start to late autumn, hawthorn haws bring a burst of colour to the hedgerow's complexion. But there's more to these hip-like berries than meets the eye – they enchant with tales of ancient folklore, where fairies danced among the branches.

According to Celtic mythology, the hawthorn is the house of choice for fairies. With their enchanting crimson and crowns circling the berry, it’s an obvious choice for a fae queen.

You can spot these fabled fruits decorating woodlands and roadsides alike. A great place to look out for these is our Thorswood Nature Reserve where you can fully immerse yourself in the folk tales of hips and embrace the whispers of the enchanting stories held within.

Hazel Nuts

We often characterise hazel nuts by their golden-brown hues and round denseness, though before they reach this autumn peak, the hazel tree goes through its own tremendous transformation.

Did you know that the hazel tree is monoecious? This means that both male and female flowers are produced on the same tree, though the flowers must be pollinated by pollen from different trees. Appearing around mid February the flowing yellow catkins are the male flower and the female flower takes a completely different, pink, bud-like form. Once pollinated, the female flower then goes on to become the gorgeous earthy nut which we know so well.

These nuts are typically feasted on by birds, squirrels and lovely (but now scarce) little dormice, who leave caverns in the discarded nut shells as a memoir of their visit. Vital nutrients are provided by these mini superfoods, ensuring that forest residents are well nourished.