Fun, seasonal activities for the whole family.
Discover Autumn on Bernards Heath
Autumn is one of the most magical times to explore Bernards Heath. As the days get shorter and cooler, the woodland and heath come alive with colours, animals and sights. If you love exploring nature, grab your coat and wellies (there might be some mud!) and head to Bernards Heath to see what autumn treasures you can find. You might like to download our Autumn Spotter sheet to complete on your way round!
Crunchy Leaves and Autumn Colours
One of the first things you’ll notice in autumn is how the leaves change colour into beautiful reds, oranges and yellows. On Bernards Heath, we have many different trees, including oaks, hawthorn, and sycamore. Have fun stomping through the leaves or collect some fallen leaves in different colours and shapes to make an autumn collage at home.
Acorns and Conkers and Fir Cones
Autumn is the season when trees drop their seeds. You might spot acorns from oak trees, shiny brown conkers from horse chestnuts or fir cones from fir trees. These are not just great for crafts; they’re also important food for animals like squirrels and birds, who store them away for winter.
Squirrels and Other Woodland Creatures
Speaking of squirrels, autumn is their busiest time! They can be seen scampering around, collecting nuts and burying them to eat later when food is harder to find. Keep an eye out for other animals too, like foxes, or even hedgehogs getting ready to hibernate. Listen carefully and you might hear birds like robins and woodpeckers. Look in the sky to see if you can spot one of the red kites (a bird of prey) that can often be seen circling the heath, especially above the top field. If you are very lucky, you might even see a peregrine falcon on a trip out from St Albans Cathedral, where they have a nest.
Mushrooms and Fungi
Look down on the woodland floor and you might see some strange shapes poking out of the ground or growing on old logs. These are fungi and autumn is the best time to spot them! Some fungi are round like toadstools, while others look like shelves growing out of tree trunks. Remember, though, never to touch or eat wild mushrooms, as some can be dangerous.
Spider Webs and Dew Drops
If you go for an early morning walk, perhaps on your way to school, you might notice delicate spider webs glistening with tiny droplets of dew. Autumn mornings are cool and damp and spiders take this chance to weave their webs between branches, plants, or even across paths. Try spotting different shapes and sizes of webs — some might even look like they’ve been decorated with jewels!
Berries and Fruits
Many woodland plants grow their fruits in autumn, providing food for animals and birds. You might see the bright red berries on holly and rowan trees. Birds like thrushes and blackbirds love to feast on these berries, so keep an eye out for them fluttering about in search of a snack. Remember: these berries are only for the birds and other animals as they can be poisonous to humans.
Animal Tracks
If the ground is muddy, look closely and you might see footprints left behind by woodland animals. Foxes, rabbits and even badgers leave tracks in the soft earth. See if you can follow the trail and guess which animal it belongs to!
Fallen Logs and Hidden Homes
Explore fallen logs or piles of leaves and you might discover hidden homes! Insects like beetles, ants, and woodlice often hide under rotting wood, while hedgehogs and small mammals like mice might nestle in cosy piles of leaves. Try lifting a stick or stone to peep underneath to see if you can see any insects. Put it back down very carefully, so you don’t disturb or hurt the creatures living there.
Ready to Explore?
Next time you visit Bernards Heath this autumn, keep your eyes and ears open for all these wonderful sights. Whether you’re filling in our spotter sheet, collecting colourful leaves, spotting a squirrel, or searching for animal tracks, there’s always something new to discover. So, dress up warmly, grab your grown up and enjoy your adventure together on Bernards Heath!
