WHAT’S ON THIS September

Nature reserve to visit

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.

Species

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.

Spectacles

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.

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.

Muntjac photo: Don Sutherland

Barn swallow photo: Alan Price

We welcome back

dark-bellied brent

geese who are returning to Essex following an epic journey from the tundra of Siberia.

Save yourself a job and allow vegetation to die back naturally this

month. Leaving seedheads alone, especially on plants such as teasel, thistle and sunflowers provides food and shelter for birds and invertebrates throughout the cold months to follow.