During November the trees still had numerous leaves on them and in some areas it looked like it was still late summer making this the latest ever recorded fall for Autumn leaves. However, with the recent rain and frosts nearly all the leaves have now fallen leaving the landscape looking more wintry. The evenings have been drawing in very quickly meaning most of us are going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. This continues up until the winter solstice on December 21st which is the years shortest day. From then on the days will gradually become lighter again.
With the cold weather the farmers will continue turning the earth where needed if it remains dry enough to ensure that the cold frosts kill off some off the parasites that would otherwise attack their crops. Many of the cattle have been brought in off the fields and will be fed inside throughout the winter.

Some of the wild animals have taken shelter from the cold weather like the bats roosting in rooftops and crevices in tunnels and old buildings. Whilst mice and voles may have moved into warmer residences like farm buildings and under sheds.

Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius)

One unusual mammal is the Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) it derives its name from its habit of hibernating or being dormant at this time of year. Apart from having more rounded facial features than normal mice, this hibernating habit separates it from the other species of mice we have in this country. Most mice build up large larders filled with berries, nuts and seeds and stay awake throughout the winter. The Dormouse on the other-hand only has small reserves close to its cosy nest that it builds either at ground level or just below. Here it enters a coma-like sleep during the winter months perhaps to wake temporarily to snack on the odd seed or two then it will return to its slumber. There are problems with this method of survival in that the Dormouse can remain asleep even when the nest is disturbed and this makes this species very vulnerable. It has another serious downfall in that it can be heard snoring loudly enough for a hungry fox to seek it out and eat it whilst it is still asleep.

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Not every thing has gone to sleep though and there are many birds that can be seen or heard flying in flocks searching for food or you may see Blue Tits and Great Tits feeding at the bird table. One of the favourite plants that birds search for at this time of year is the Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). This unusual plant produces numerous seeds that the birds relish. We have used it for centuries in the textile industry because of the prickly spines it possesses and the dead flower heads are used for pulling the nap of woollen cloth because there is no better device to do the job.

Traveller's Joy (Clematis vitalba)

Traveller's Joy (Clematis vitalba) has numerous white fluffy seed heads during the winter and is another good source of food for the birds. It is also known as "Old Man's Beard" because of these white seeds resembling the white beards of old men. This plant can grow up to a hundred feet long or more and its stems can be found trailing down from the tops of trees resembling the creepers found growing in jungles or seen being used like a rope in a Tarzan movie.

Well I will take this opportunity to wish all my readers a Merry Christmas and I'll talk to you again in the New Year!