Woodland at the Dart Valley. Photo, David Chamberlain
Where to go this season
In autumn Devon’s animals get ready for the long cold days ahead. Here are some of the best places to see them make their preparations...
Photo, Adrian Evans
Autumn sees the dramatic deer rut. Rackenford and Knowstone Moors (near Tiverton) are the place to go to see and hear the drama unfold.
Fallow deer are also rutting during the weeks of autumn. There are herds that are regularly seen at our Dunsford and Scanniclift Copse (both near Exeter) nature reserves.
Search among the leaf letter at our Lady’s Wood (near Ivybridge) and Andrew’s Wood (South Hams) nature reserves for the nibbled hazelnuts left by local dormice.
Look for song thrushes and blackbirds as they gorge themselves on the blackberries and other hedgerow harvest berries at our nature reserves, Halwill Junction (near Okehampton) and Meeth Quarry (near Hatherleigh).
Say goodbye to the last of the summer’s swallows as they swoop to gather insects over the grassy fields of Bellever Moor and Meadows (Dartmoor) nature reserve.
Photo, Kevin New
Other wild places to go this autumn
In early autumn take a wander across one of our heathland nature reserves Bovey Heathfield (near Bovey Tracey), Chudleigh Knighton (near Chudleigh) and Venn Ottery (near Honiton) to see the heather and gorse turn the landscape purple and gold.
Kick among the leaves while looking for fungi at one of our woodland wildlife havens including Warleigh Point (near Plymouth), Halsdon (Near Great Torrington) and Andrew’s Wood (South Hams).
Bovey Tracey Bat Safari ( Thursday 4 Sep)
Join us for a Bat Safari in the heart of Bovey Tracey. This will be a walk and talk event.
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Bovey Tracey Bat Safari ( Thursday 21 Aug)
Join us for a Bat Safari in the heart of Bovey Tracey. This will be a walk and talk event.
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Bovey Tracey Bat Safari ( Thursday 7 Aug)
Join us for a Bat Safari in the heart of Bovey Tracey. This will be a walk and talk event.
Your autumn highlights
Woodland at the Dart Valley. Photo, David Chamberlain
House sparrow eating blackberries. Photo, Nicholas Watts
Hazel gloves fungus
Swallow. Photo, Tom Marshall
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