Early Autumn fruits and seeds

Many of our trees are already producing fruits and seeds early this year in response to the drought conditions over summer as shown in these photos below.  The acorns on the oak trees are enormous this year and most trees are covered in them.

Plants and vegetation

Away from the lakes, Lackford started to resemble a desert with most vegetation seeming to have died or stopped growing.  However, in recent weeks we have had some rainfall and now there is a bit of green coming through.  A few plants have started to flower again so it will be interesting to see what will happen here.

Butterflies

Similarly, to the plants, butterflies were few and far between during August on the reserve.  Now we are starting to see the expected autumn butterflies flying around the reserve.  Look out for comma, red admiral, specked wood and small copper (photo below) when you next visit.

Dragonflies / Damselflies

These seem to be the least affected during the drought as our lakes kept some water and we are seeing the species that we expect in autumn flying around the reserve.  Look out for migrant hawker patrolling in front of the viewpoints on the reserve.  Common darter and ruddy darter can be found sunbathing on posts and branches.  Look out also for willow emerald damselfly (photo below) – look out for these resting on twigs and leaves next to the paths around the lakes.

Water birds

Here our birds tend to benefit from the drought with lower water levels than normal.  In the shallow water, the weed has been growing really well.  This benefits birds that like to feed on them and these areas are already attracting a lot of duck like gadwall and coot.  In this past week, we have seen the return of wigeon to these areas as well.  In the muddy areas showing around the edge of some of our lakes, look out for some waders – greenshank, common sandpiper and green sandpiper have been visiting from time to time.  Snipe numbers are building up nicely on the slough as well.  The best spot to look for water birds right now is on the slough from Paul’s hide area or down on plover place from the viewpoint on the eastern lakes.  Lastly, look around the muddy fridges of our lakes and you might see a water rail – Bernard’s hide has been a good place to see one of these recently. 

Other birds

At this time of year, look out for flocks of small birds feeding in the shrubs.  In amongst them, you can find some summer visitors like the chiffchaff feeding away.  Birds of prey wise, hobby is still around and buzzards can be heard calling overhead.

Let us know your autumn sightings

Please let us know your sightings when you visit by filling in our book in the centre.  This way we can follow this autumn on the reserve as it reveals itself.