Redwings, small thrushes newly-arrived for the winter from Scandinavia, are gorging themselves on hawthorns and sloes in the hedgerows, while summer warblers such as blackcaps extend their vacations to profit from their favourite autumn food of elderberries and blackberries. Wood mice, normally seen only on the ground, venture up into bushes at this time of year in search of juicy offerings. These are very attractive to blackbirds and starlings, and later in the year may provide a re-fuelling stop for an excited flock of that most exotic of winter visitors, the waxing. October is also a fine time to look for fungi. Stimulated by the damp conditions of autumn, many species are at their peak this month.
Fungi come in a bewildering range of shapes, colours and sizes.
Some cling to the bark of trees, while others lurk in the leaf litter or in open fields. Some belie their presence with strong odours, such as the stinkhorn. On the continent fungi are avidly collected for human consumption and are an important feature of rural produce markets, in places such as northern France. Despite our climate being ideal for fungi, in this country we are less eager to exploit this wild food, perhaps discouraged by the poisonous varieties. Local naturalist societies and the National Park Authority often run 'fungus forays' at this time of year and these can be an excellent way of seeing many different types in expert company.