As summer fades into autumn and the season changes, the nation’s forests become busy places.
The changing colour of the leaves isn’t the only transformation taking place. While many of us are admiring the reds, oranges and golds of the canopy, forest wildlife is responding to the shorter days and cooler temperatures.
Across the country, animals are gathering food, setting off on long journeys and preparing for the colder months ahead. Here are some of the ways forest wildlife gets ready for winter.
Gathering food before winter
Just as it is for people, autumn is the season of harvest for many animals. As trees drop their nuts and seeds, forest and woodland floors become a valuable source of food. Acorns, beech mast and berries help animals build up energy reserves before winter arrives.
One of the busiest birds at this time of year is the jay. Recognisable by its bright blue wing patch, this resourceful bird spends autumn collecting and burying acorns. A single jay can hide thousands each year, returning to their hiding places when food becomes harder to find.
And because not every hidden acorn is found again, the forgotten ones can grow into oak saplings. This makes jays (and other hoarders, such as squirrels) an important part of the forest ecosystem.
Travelling to warmer places
While some animals prepare to stay put and nestle down, others are getting ready to leave.
Autumn marks the start of one of nature's great spectacles as migratory birds begin their journeys. Swallows and house martins that spent spring and summer feeding in our forests head south in search of warmer weather and more reliable food sources.
At the same time, other birds arrive from northern Europe to spend the winter in here. Forests and woodlands provide important places to rest, feed and shelter during these seasonal journeys, supporting wildlife long after summer has ended.
The birds you hear and see on an autumn walk may be very different from those you saw on visits earlier in the year.
The drama of deer rutting season
Autumn is also one of the best times to hear and see deer. For several deer species, this is the rutting season, when males compete to establish dominance and defend breeding opportunities.
In some forests, you may hear distinctive calls echoing through the trees or witness displays of strength and clashing antlers. It's one of the most remarkable wildlife events of the year.
If you're lucky enough to encounter deer during the rut, please remember that they are wild animals. Give them plenty of space, keep dogs under control and watch from a safe distance.
Finding shelter from the cold
As temperatures begin to drop in autumn, many woodland creatures start looking for safe places to shelter through the coming winter.
Hedgehogs build nests from leaves and grass, creating warm spaces to hibernate. Insects seek refuge beneath bark, among leaf litter and inside fallen logs. Some bat species begin settling into winter roosts where they can conserve energy until spring.
The piles of leaves scattered across the forest floor may seem untidy, but they’re an important habitat providing valuable shelter.
Life after dark
With longer nights on the horizon, autumn sees forest wildlife become active at different times of day.
Autumn evenings are a great time to listen for owls as young birds leave their nests and adults defend their territories. Their familiar calls carry surprisingly far through woodland, particularly on still nights.
On mild evenings, you may also spot bats feeding on insects before colder temperatures make food harder to find.
Look beyond the autumn colours
The changing colours of autumn forests are always worth celebrating, but they are only part of this season’s story. Look a little closer and you'll discover wildlife adapting to the changes and preparing for what comes next.
So next time you're out among the trees, take a moment to pause and watch what's happening around you. You might find that some of the most interesting signs of autumn aren't in the leaves above your head, but in the quiet activity of wildlife behind the scenes.
