What’s on this September
What’s on this
September Spectacles
Nature reserve to visit
Arrivals and departures
Autumn is the time that many birds fly south in pursuit of resources and warmth. It is also the time of year that many birds arrive from the Arctic for a warmer winter. This month swallows and house martins will be starting their long journey back to Africa while fieldfares, redwings and many ducks and geese arrive on our shores.
This month, visit our Chigborough Lakes nature reserve in Heybridge. Enjoy a whole variety of habitats and wildlife as you walk the circular path around this peaceful wildlife haven and even witness spectacular sunsets over the ponds and lakes at the end of the day. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars if you have them as 120 species of birds have been recorded at this reserve including the striking kingfisher.
Barking deer
A very small, stocky deer, the muntjac is about the same size as a medium dog. During September, listen out for their loud, characteristic bark that will echo across the countryside.
Species
Muntjac photo: Don Sutherland
Dark-bellied brent geese
This month we welcome back dark-bellied brent geese who are returning to Essex following an epic journey from the tundra of Siberia where they have spent the summer months. Brent geese gather in large flocks of hundreds of birds and their noisy chatter and movement fills the sky with a tidal wave of sound that is impossible to ignore.
Red fox
As summer begins to draw to a close, juvenile foxes are growing up fast; nearing the same size as their parents and growing thick red coats in preparation for the cold winter months to follow. Competition becomes fierce and can result in a few tussles with rivals chasing each other and rearing up on their hindlegs. Foxes take full advantage of the bountiful hedgerows in late summer and can be seen gorging on blackberries, apples, plums and even pears.
Red fox photo: Steve Jellet
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WILD Autumn 2021
