Spot the signs of autumn at Haldon Forest Park

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It’s time to grab your wellies and kick your way through piles of fallen leaves. Haldon Forest Park is a great place to experience the best of autumn, from colourful leaves and fungi to wildlife activity and atmospheric strolls. So slow down, get out in nature and discover the signs of autumn all around you.

Fiery autumn colours

Crunchy, colourful autumn leaves are one of the best things about autumn! The leaves have done their job for the year and start turning from green to yellow, orange and then red, before falling.

Did you know that it’s shorter days and cooler weather that tell the leaves to change? The green chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down to reveal warmer tones beneath.

A child kicks up autumn leaves with his wellies

Seasonal fruits and seeds

Woodlands are filled with fruits, seeds, and nuts in autumn. Many animals are busy making use of all this food, collecting it up to store for the colder weather ahead. Look out for jays with their distinctive blue wing patch as they hoard acorns from oak trees.

Earthy smells

As the scents of summer fade and the air gets cold and moist, we can start to smell leaf litter breaking down. When leaves drop, their nutrients are recycled and broken down by earthworms, woodlice, bacteria, and fungi, releasing these earthy smells into the air.

Wildlife spectacles

Autumn is a time of migration for many birds. Our summer residents, such as nightjar, head for warmer shores, while fieldfares and redwings arrive. You might also notice native birds, such as robins, becoming easier to spot as they forage in the forest.

Autumn is also a great time to spot deer in the forest, as it’s the rutting season when red, fallow, and sika deer breed. Remember deer are wild animals, so the rut is best viewed from a distance and keep dogs close by and in sight.