Although we have had some hard showers, thunder and lightning, these last few days, we have not had enough rain. We have had continued drought conditions. Despite this lack of rain the landscape has looked brilliant with beautiful blue skies and the contrasting autumnal oranges, yellows and reds. The warm spell has allowed many plants to continue flowering and many insects have continued feeding on the nectar available. Where farmers have left stubble fields there is still a supply of seed for the birds and small mammals. Farmers are continuing to plough and drill their seed where needed, leaving buffer strips along ditch and stream margins to help prevent erosion. Hedges in some places are being laid and fences will be mended to ensure livestock like cattle and sheep cannot escape their fields once this last summer's vegetation has died down, especially along side watercourses to stop pollution.

Beech Trees (Fagus sylvatica) shed their colourful leaves

When you look up on to the Downs there are a variety of trees and shrubs turning colour, and the colours are particularly spectacular this year. The Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is probably one of the most majestic with their bright orange leaves that are falling with the frosts and windy weather that is to come. During the summer the leaves are so dense that they prevent light from touching the forest floor. The fallen leaves give off a toxin that prevents most other shrubs and flowers from growing under their canopy. Only in the spring can you see the odd Bluebell, Wood Anemone and Bird's-nest Orchid or in the autumn a wide variety of mushrooms and toadstools, otherwise Beech woodland floors appear bare of plant life. Although underneath the leaf-litter there is plenty of decomposing going on aided by snails, millipedes and beetles.

Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea)

Another attractive plantat this time of year to look out for is the Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) whose its leaves start turning orange then turn a deep shade of purple before they drop. Some are still in berry although these berries are bitter and inedible and it is said they are, "not fit even for a dog to eat". However, the juice from these berries was once used as lamp oil fuel. Because it was also used for dipping candlewicks in it for lighting, it is in some parts of the country known as the "Wax Tree". The hard wood was used for bobbins and spokes for wheels but it was also used for skewers and the old country name for skewer was "dog" hence this is believed to be the origins of its name "Dogwood"

Speckled Wood (Pararge aegerta)

When out and about on the last sunny days you may be lucky to see a Speckled Wood (Pararge aegerta). This butterfly is well camouflaged with its light speckles against its brown wings. This species is remarkable in that most species of butterfly have only one or two generations a year whereas the Speckled Wood has up to four from the month of May to November if the weather conditions are right. The butterfly is often found along shady lanes that border woodland. They are very territorial butterflies and they can often be seen doing a spiral tussle dance going upwards around shafts of light in dappled woodland. The female Speckled Woods lay their eggs on grasses like Couch Grass and Cock's-foot.

Oak Bush Cricket (Meconema thallasiniuim)

Another insect I have seen around taking advantage of this dry weather is the Oak Bush Cricket (Meconema thallasiniuim). They may be seen in woodland and gardens but tend to hunt their prey more in the hours of darkness.Now the clocks have changed it has become darker in the evenings. One mammal that spends much of its time in the dark and so is not bothered by the light change is the Mole (Talpa europaea).

Mole (Talpa europaea)

The mole has a number of other names across the country like "Modywart", "Moodywarp", "Want", "Moudie" and numerous others. The mole also became known as" little gentleman in velvet black" and this dates back from the Jacobean period when the mole had glasses raised and toasted to celebrate the death of King William III (William of Orange). Whilst out riding at Hampton Court the unfortunate King's horse stumbled on a molehill, where upon he was thrown from his horse and broke his collar bone and died three weeks later after the fall. So something as humble as a mole can change history. Many keen gardeners are well aware of the damage a mole can cause by creating its molehills or "tumps" all over their lawns. The larger tumps that can be found over the moles nesting sites are called "fortresses". The mole is generally black in colour however, sometimes they can be found with white or orange coats. In the past the moleskin was very sought after and hundreds were killed to make trousers, waistcoats and other fashionable clothing. The mole feeds mainly on earthworms but will eat slugs, snails, beetles and even dead mice and voles it finds on its travels.

Next month, I will find some festive things to talk about.