Highlights of Autumn
Autumn in the Gardens
With that crisp nip in the air and fallen leaves decorating the floor, the gardens are bursting with energy. Inviting you to take a walk through the woodland gardens to see how the colours have changed into the magnificent pink’s, yellows and bronzes that autumn brings.
Autumn around the lakes
Through the autumnal colours, incredible reflections are cast over the lakes. The shapes of the neighbouring and overhanging trees, in all their autumn finery, create stunning mirror images in the water and wonderful visuals for photography. Just above Middle Pond, see the hickory trees, Nyssa too, along with gingko trees dressed in their amazing autumnal splendor.
Champion Trees
With hundreds of fantastic trees throughout the 240-acres, we are fortunate to have plenty of ‘Champions’ measured and verified by the British Tree Registry.
We have 28 British and Irish Champions and a further 3 English Champions as well as 41 County Champions and another 14 trees that are designated as 'remarkable’ and which may well become future champions. Look out for their blue plaques as you explore the gardens.
Wildlife in Autumn
Birds
While taking a walk through the gardens our visitors will be able to observe a range of birds getting ready for hibernation. Durning the autumn the birds roost in scrubby or marshy areas.
Endangered Species Birds:
Grey Wagtail – Maitacilla cinerea
Yellowhammer – Emberiza citrinella
Mistle thrush – turdus viscivorus
Marsh tit – peorcile palustris
How many birds are you able to see on your next visit at the gardens?
Deer
Walking through Deer Park you will be able to see deer more easily as the under growth and bracken starts to died down. As we head into deer rutting season, keep an eye out for young stags and bucks as they compete to attract a harem of females. During mating season, male deer become more aggressive and will bellow out a call or engage in physical combat. If their bugling call is unable to frighten off rivals, they will battle for supremacy by going head-to-head - an amazing sight to see from a safe distance.
Please keep four legged friends on a lead at all times when visiting our woodland gardens.
Squirrels
During autumn the gardens welcome a flurry of activity from our resident squirrels as they prepare for hibernation. Did you know that squirrels get smarter during this time as their hippocampus grows 15% in size in order for them to remember where they have hidden their scavenges for the winter months ahead. Once in hibernation, their bodies become cooler in order to save energy, as well as their breathing and heart rate, become slower.
