In September look out for colours in the hedgerows - the scarlet of wild rose hips ripening and the hawthorn berries painting whole bushes and trees red. The striking pink fruits of spindle trees also stands out in the hedgerows and woodlands.

 

Numbers of small mammals, such as wood mice and bank voles, peak around this time of year, making them a bit easier to see than normal. They’ll be busily fueling up on the bounty of berries and nuts found in September. You might spot some clambering about in the brambles, tucking into the berries. However, these little critters tend to more active after sunset, so try taking a look around your own garden for them with a torch – places with an obvious food supply are the best places to check such as below bird feeders or on compost heaps!

 

To find another small mammal who has a real taste for hazel nuts you’ll probably have to venture a little farther than your own garden, and even then you’re unlikely to spot the little critter itself. However, the common or hazel dormouse does leave some clues that it has been around and eating its favourite food - look out for empty hazel nut shells with a smooth hole cut into them. If the hole has rough appearance with vertical grooves along the edge it is more likely to have been raided by a wood mouse. Grey squirrels on the other hand take a more direct approach, taking advantage of their larger jaws, and simply split the shells in half. You can search for these feeding signs at Little Linford (Bucks), Warburg (Oxon) and Bowdown (Berks).

 

 

 

Check out the national Wildlife Watch website for loads of ideas of activities to do with the kids. Why not download some of the fantastic spotting sheets and go out wildlife watching today!