Let's hope that we do not have further severe wet and windy weather that we have suffered this last month. Luckily in the Southeast we did not get the rains, high winds and flooding that brought misery to those in the Southwest. Many fields have however, been waterlogged with some crops rotting where they stand. In numerous places, the surface water has gouged out large gullies forcing eroded soil on to roads and clogging ditches and filling drains. Many of the last softer fruited berries like the blackberry that would have been a valuable food source for the smaller mammals are now lying on the ground rotting. 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. However, leaving buffer strips along ditch and stream margins helps prevent erosion. Hedges in some places are being laid and fences will be mended to ensure livestock such as cattle and sheep cannot escape their fields once this last summer's vegetation has died down. Hedges are also useful for absorbing pollution from neighbouring fields along side watercourses.

Hawthorn (Cratageus monogyna)

Sadly, due to the high winds and rain, we have not really had a colourful autumn - many of the leaves have already fallen. As the month progresses the rest of the leaves will fall except the needles of most of the conifer tree species. Many of the small birds give up their territories and group together into large flocks and roam the countryside until the spring. However, the Robin (Erithacus rubecula) and the Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) do not flock together. Instead they remain solitary and can be heard singing, letting us know that we are in their territory. There are many fruits and nuts still to be found and gathered like the berries of the Hawthorn (Cratageus monogyna). They can be found in the hedgerows and are known as "haws". The berries are a good source of food for the smaller birds and mammals.

Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)

In addition, the Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) can be found on some coppice woodland floors. It was introduced to this country from the Mediterranean by the Romans some two thousand years ago. The chestnut was made into a porridge by the Romans and known as "Pollenta". Today Chestnuts are popular roasted or eaten raw and used as stuffing, especially with turkey at Christmas.

Grey Cushion Moss (Grimnia pulvinata)

There are less and less flowers to look out for as the winter comes closer, but there are plants that can be seen all year around and become more noticeable as the leaves have fallen. Mosses are much over looked but at this time of year and with the wet climate we have been having, conditions have become perfect for them. One of our commonest mosses to be found is the Grey Cushion Moss (Grimnia pulvinata) which is found on wall tops, stone windowsills and roofs. This moss is shaped like a cushion with a grey appearance. The green leaves have long white ends that help to make them look grey. These white hair-like tips to the moss leaves help reflect the sunlight away and help the plant retain the moisture throughout most of the year except in extreme dry weather. This makes this plant perfectly adapted to live where it does.

Green Woodpecker (Picus viridus)

If you are lucky you may see or hear a Green Woodpecker (Picus viridus) out in the countryside. It is the largest of the three woodpeckers in the country. Because of their call in some parts of the country, they are known as "Yaffles". They were once persecuted during the reign of Elizabeth the First because woodpeckers damage trees by pecking them. he Green Woodpecker is the one that pecks the trees the least of the three and so it was unjustly persecuted. This woodpecker is occasionally seen drumming the odd tree but for the majority of the time finds its food by looking for ants on the ground. During the winter, many may come to the garden bird table for extra food.

The Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus)

The Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) will be soon hibernating so it is important to check any pile of wood at the end of the garden you may be intending to burn or else you could end up by killing one. When hibernating their body temperature drops to between two and six degrees and their breathing slows to as little as ten breathes per minute. The Hedgehog derives its name from the pig-like snout it has as well as it is frequently found at the base of hedgerows looking for insects, slugs and snails. It has a number of country names like the British Porcupine, Prickly-back Urchin, Furzehog and Hedgepig.

Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus).

This last autumn has been very good for fungi but one of the fungi you can see all year round is the Birch Polypore (Piptoporus betulinus). This bracket fungus grows only on birch and when you see it on birch, it is the end for the tree although it may take many years. It derives the name "polypore" because on its underside there are numerous pores that produce spores, which are wind dispersed when ripe.

I'll talk again next month December.