Page 16 - Oct Mag

Crowland Wildlife Group
Well here it is folks, Autumn again. Sadly the days are getting shorter by the day and it seems a long while since it was light nearly to 11pm. However, we can’t complain as it’s been a really good Summer and I hope we have all made the most of it. I know it’s been a difficult year weather wise for farmers but I’m sure we will get over it. The autumn could produce an ‘Indian summer’ which will result in a magnificent show of colours. By now there will be a noticeable change in some leaf types, others hanging on for a while longer. The sap flow to the leaves is cut, but not before the tree has pushed the waste products into the leaves. It only takes one good frost to remove a good number of leaves and so the bare bones of the tree are revealed. The best show of Autumn colour is usually inland, away from the strong coastal winds. This month we could see the arrival of some winter visitors. Incoming members of the Thrush clan, the Redwings and Fieldfares, also now arrive, mainly from Scandinavia. Later, in starvation weather they may venture into gardens.
church and we soon saw why.
It had an association with
Crowland Abbey and some
interesting script regarding
this; mentioning Guthlac, long
before he became a saint, and his friend Bertram, probably later known as Bartholamew, The pair it is said came to ‘’Croyland in the fen country’’ and helped to set up the first cell. A very interesting meeting indeed.
The harvest of fruit and berries marks the end of the natural cycle. At the end of the month falls Halloween, which originally marked a change from the joy of the harvest months to winter ghosts and gloom. If we have a wetter period, Autumn months are ideal for Fungi foraging. Even in our immediate region of few woods they are there to be found in rotting wood piles, hedges, small copses. As the Centenary wood, by the old bypass, matures, a few species can be found and it’s bound to get better with age. Photographing fungi is very rewarding if you are willing to get down low. Exposure is often a problem owing to poor light but you can invest in a ‘ring flash’; there are cheap ones on the market and they’ll do the job nicely, giving an all round exposure. Iv’e even discovered a couple of Bracket fungi on my Rowan tree this year, first time ever.
Do one thing this month - Make a Hedgehog home; these poor creatures are having a hard time so giving them a cosy home for the winter will help enormously. It needn’t be too fancy, just a dry hideaway will help.
In mid August my wife and I were holidaying in the Peak district, Edale in fact, right at the beginning of the Pennine way. We did a few hundred yards of it then realized it was a young mans path so gave up! Whilst there we had the great pleasure of meeting up with Wyn and Lesley Jones, who until eight years ago lived in North St, Crowland, then moved to Nantwich in Chesire. You might remember Lesley as co-ordinater at Crowland Cares. Wyn was the group’s first secretary and an invaluable help in setting up the group. We met in a village called Longnor, just over the border in Staffordshire, had a spot of lunch and catch up, then they both were keen to take us into the local
On Wednesday 17th of October we commence our winter evening talks with a visit by Sue Jakeman. Sue is a former bee keeper and will entertain with anecdotes and show equipment and answer any questions asked on the subject.
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On the 4th of August group members and friends took a trip out into the Wash aboard the Boston Belle, a cruise of around 5 hours, seeing many bird species and seals lying up on the sand banks. These sailings are all high tide trips, so to see the land from the seaward side made a great change. Thankfully the weather was just right.
On Wednesday the 21st of November we welcome Stephanie Walker who is a volunteer speaker for the Woodland Trust. Having been a member of the trust for over 45 years I really look forward to this event. Our talks take place in the Crowland Community Hub [Library], commencing at 7,30 pm; I hope to see you there.
Enjoy the Autumn months, Philip and the team.